| "The ministry of so many students is among the excluded sectors of society where they are making a difference: in the poorest and most discriminated Haitian neighborhoods of the Dominican Republic, with women throughout Guatemala who are struggling with domestic violence of all kinds, with street children in Colombia, indigenous communities in Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia, and in pastoral ministry in countless congregations where life is valued in all it's richness and wholeness. These are the true measures of the importance of theological and biblical education. The opportunity to be in a classroom with the men and women who, as they are transformed, transform the lives of others, gives every class urgency and meaning."
“My concern has always
been how, as a Christian, to respond to the injustice of poverty
and exclusion in Latin America,” she writes. “Working
at the university is a way to contribute to the transformation
of people, churches and communities.
“My time at UBL is enriching not only because I have a
chance to give and participate, but also because of so much that
I am given. Interaction with the students and working with the
faculty keep me challenged and open to learning and growing as
a person, as a Christian, and as teacher.
"UBL’s educational model integrates life with study.
Our approach to theology and Biblical studies is intentionally
focused on the reality of the poor and excluded as the place from
which we reflect on God and read the Bible, with the goal of responding
to these realities.
"UBL has a combined residence-distance program. We have
a relationship with 15 local theological education programs in
the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Chile, Ecuador, Bolivia,
Colombia, Perú, Venezuela.
"The input from students who are actively involved in their
churches and countries enriches theological education and the
opportunity for them to come together (all denominations, including
Catholic) in an ecumenical experience in San José is also
an important part of their learning process.
"This model also keeps staff in contact with the diverse
realities in Latin America and the needs of the church—a
vital component of our ever-changing and transforming educational
approach. All the students need scholarships to come to Costa
Rica, something that is increasingly difficult to provide due
to reduction in support from churches and agencies worldwide.
We particularly emphasize offering opportunities for women, indigenous
people, Afro-Caribbeans to study.
"We have about 800 students in the university program, which
offers bachelors, licenciature and masters degrees in theological
sciences and biblical sciences.
"The 'non-university' program has about 2,000 students.
These are students who don’t have access to university level
education or are not interested. Many are pastors as well as lay
leaders. We train facilitators and provide materials, but the
programs are run locally in about 20 church or theological institutions
in Latin America. This program is vitally important because the
majority of church leadership can’t access university level
education."
Prior to her appointment by the PC(USA), Elisabeth spent four
years working with the Fraternity of Evangelical Costa Rican Churches
(FIEC), a small group of churches committed to serving communities
in Costa Rica. In addition she served as co-coordinator of the
FIEC's Institute for Pastoral Formation, which prepares pastors
to lead churches and ministries of the FIEC.
Having recently completed her masters in Old Testament studies
at UBL, Elisabeth is looking forward to continuing her studies
on a doctoral level.
Born in Guatemala, Elisabeth is the daughter of two missionaries
and the granddaughter of others. She has spent most of her life
in parts of Latin America including Guatemala, Honduras, the Dominican
Republic, Costa Rica, Brazil, and Ecuador. She graduated from
Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with a BS degree in
accounting, then attended the Fuller School of World Mission in
Pasadena, California. In 1988 she received a bachelor's degree
in theology from UBL.
Birthday: October 29 |
