Chaplains: Another 'First' for CHET
LOS ANGELES, CA (January 11) - Today marked another milestone for Centro Hispano De Estudios Teológicos (CHET) as Diego and Liria Cerne began their duties as the first chaplains to serve the CHET student body.
In their new role, they will mentor students to encourage ministerial
and spiritual formation excellence. The couple was installed during
December graduation ceremonies that also celebrated the 15th anniversary
of CHET – festivities took place at Primera Iglesia del Pacto in Bell
Gardens, California. Pastors Pablo Anabalon and Walter Contreras officiated.
"Liria is like a motor powered by an Eveready battery," Diego says, "with a passion for evangelism and discipleship." Noting that she has always had a desire to serve, Liria said, "God's love is what motivates me to want to speak to everyone I meet about salvation and faith. Our authority and confidence to do so come from the Lord. It is a blessing to me that my husband has the same passion and Christian commitment as I." The impact of their witness is reflected in one example - more than 200 individuals have committed their lives to Christ as the result of the couple's witness while having their automobiles serviced.
The Cerne's commitment with the Evangelical Covenant Church is deep. They saved money to purchase a home in Rosario, Argentina, which they donated to the Confraternity of Evangelical Covenant Churches (CIPE). The house is now used by Patricio Valenzuela, a pastor with the Covenant Church of Argentina (IPEA). Rosario is the third largest city in Argentina with a population of 1.5 million people. It is located northwest of Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires, a city of 15 million.