Covenant News

Students Give CIPE Bible School Top Marks

LA MERCED, ECUADOR (November 28, 2001) - The Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) has always been serious about educating teens and young adults in the faith, having formed schools such as North Park University, North Park Theological Seminary and Covenant Bible College to fulfill those goals.

The Confederation of Latin American Covenant Churches (CIPE) hopes to develop its education system in similar fashion and a trial program seems to be a successful first step. A six-week Bible School this summer was organized as one way to prepare young people to live as disciples of Christ and to train them for ministries in the church. The Bible School took place on the CBC-Ecuador campus, located about 35 minutes from Quito.

Twenty-one students participated - seven from Ecuador, five from Chile, four from Colombia, three from Mexico and two from the United States. Students were instructed in six areas: bible, theology, spiritual formation, personal development, leadership and practical ministry experience, which continues at the local church level.

Pablo Velásquez, coordinator); Aníbal Nicolalde, director; Nancy and Jerry Reed, co-workers; Ernesto and Iza López and Dámaris Adame, professors; and Juan Carlos Pichardo and Mehida Pérez, deans, provided leadership. Both students and teachers said they appreciated the experience.

"I enjoyed spending time with these 21 leaders that came from all over Latin America," reported Adame, a short-term missionary who attended Grace Covenant Church in Chicago while a student at North Park Theological Seminary. "God granted me the opportunity of watching the growth process from the beginning to the end. Lives were transformed. Besides teaching them at classes, we visited churches every weekend where we got to share several times, lead worship, preach and teach. We also worked in a camp with disabled children. Each one of us adopted one (child). It was amazing to see their desire to serve and to give to others."

"The students had a great time in communion with God," said Velasquez. "They experienced an intimate relationship with the Lord and with other students from different cultures . . . with God's help we hope to have a CIPE Bible School each year. After evaluating the first Bible School and seeing the great testimony that the students are sharing in their respective churches, we believe it is necessary to continue to provide this opportunity for young people to know more about God and be trained in increasing the kingdom of God. We thank God for this wonderful experience and for the Hispanic young people. Lives were changed."

Following are excerpts from student testimonies reflecting on this summer's experience:

• Luis Franco, Cartagena, Colombia: "This has been the best experience of my life. Because of my family's economic situation I never thought I would be able to travel to another country. Now I have been able to get to know different countries and cultures through my new friends. I also thank God for giving me the chicken pox because through this illness I could see God's hand at work. The Lord has given me a great time with Him, which will mark the basis of my future. I thank God for the CIPE Bible School."
• David Cisterna, Osorno, Chile: "...I thought that it would be six weeks of a lot of bible and theological studies, something like a seminary. It was a surprise! It wasn't what I expected at all. The Lord had something special prepared for my life . . . the Lord taught me that He has a special plan for my life and that often it is completely different than what I had imagined. I never thought the Bible School would be as it was, but I thank God because it was just what I needed."
• Luis Bombom, Cunchibamba, Ecuador: "Studying at the CIPE Bible School has been one of the most important things that has happened to me. When I graduated from the Bible School I felt something very special. I felt that I was capable and that God has a great plan for my life. Now what I want the most is to serve in my church and share with the rest of the young people the experiences and things that I learned. I also want to begin studying in high school and finish my studies. Thanks to God for this beautiful time."
• Rocío Leiva, Los Angeles, California: "From the first day, I felt a love among all of the students and professors. Each of the student's testimonies made me reflect and touched me deep in my heart. Talking with my instructors and teachers about the doubts I was having comforted me. Seeing many young people with the same doubts and experiences that I had made me understand that God is great, and He accepts us just as we are. I thank God for allowing me to have this experience with people so special as my teachers and fellow students."
• Dalva Vásquez, Morelos, Mexico: "Sharing a same feeling and God's love with 20 young people and my professors was the most significant experience for my life. Living six weeks far from my country, away from the routine activities and being in the middle of new and different things for me allowed me to maintain a more intimate relationship with the Lord. Having an adoptive family in Ecuador and sharing many things marked a great change in my life. I realized that I could be a testimony to others just as they were a blessing to my life. Sharing with and serving the children with Down's syndrome was something that really touched the deepest part of my heart. It was there that I learned what I want to do most is to serve God in everything that I do. Thanks to God for CIPE Bible School."

For more information about the CIPE six-week program, call Nancy Reed in the ECC's Department of World Mission, 773-907-3322, or email her at nancy.reed@covchurch.org.

Editor's note: the top photo shows a Bible School worship team at the Jipijapa Church (El grupo de alabanza en la Iglesia de Jipijapa). The bottom photo shows a Bible School worship team in Monte Cristi (El grupo de alabanza de CBCIPE en Monte Cristi).

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