news
EdenB meets a need
WINNIPEG, Man.—In the past decade western Canada has Lester Olfert will teach experienced a steady stream of Latin American immigrants the fourth this spring. into its urban centers. As is true in any migration story, peoMuch as EdenB is ple of similar background, language, and culture will seek a work in progress, we ways to socialize and fellowship. This provides opportunity trust the Lord for several for the church to welcome immigrants and use contacts to outcomes. form Spanish-speaking churches in western Canada’s cities. Students have shown These fledgling Hispanic churches face considerable great appreciation for the challenges. Fellowship groups are generally small. Many opportunity to study theEdenB student leaders have little formal theological training and a limited ology and church leadernetwork or study resources to assist them. ship in their heart language. With this need, discussion began with Spanish pastors We have seen significant cooperation among evangelical from eight different denominational churches in Winnipeg Spanish churches. Many pastors met each other for the first to organize a Bible School program. A coordinating comtime in connection with EdenB. Several inter-church events mittee was formed with Angel Infantes (Braeside EMC), have taken place as a result. Fred Stoesz (World Impact), Len Barkman (Heartland, We anticipate that this program will help equip the RGBI Canada), and Raul Bogoya (Bethel Spanish church in Winnipeg and prepare Mennonite Church). Andrew Reimer (now some students for ministry in SpanishMany pastors met each with Inner City Youth Alive) was on the speaking countries. committee during the formative months. As the program proves itself, it may other for the first time in Spanish pastors embraced and supalso be implemented in other Canadian connection with EdenB. ported plans for theological training, and urban areas. in the early months of 2009 the EMC has long given concerted program began to take shape. missionary effort to Latin America. A Spanish curriculum, with 16 Our ministry in these countries modules, prepared by The Urban has given us trained and expeMinistries Institute was accepted. rienced workers, and it has also Each module requires at least ten, helped our constituency apprecithree-hour class sessions so the ate people of Latin culture. Today program can be completed within thousands of Latin Americans are a three-year framework. Since at our doorstep. What a privilege most students maintain full-time and an opportunity to utilize this jobs, classes would be held in the treasure to help build the Spanish evening. Escuela de Entrenamiento church in Canada. Bíblico (EdenB) was born. Len Barkman Implementation was not Coordinating committee members Len Barkman, Andrew Interim Director Reimer, Angel Infantes, Raul Bogoya, and Fred Stoesz. without some anxiety. Would RGBI Canada people come, who would teach, where could we find Spanish resources, would we have the funds? It was amazing to see God work. A new issue of Theodidaktos: In September we started the program with a two-day Journal for EMC theology and seminar taught by Gordon Johnson, president emeritus of education is available free. RGBI. Then we accepted student registrations for the first Check it out on-line at www.emconf.ca module. Where we had expected five to ten students, we reBundles of copies are also sent to ceived 20. There was a scramble to order more textbooks and churches; check with your church leader resource materials and to locate larger classroom facilities. to pick up a print copy. For additional EdenB conducts its classes at the Christian Family Centre print copies contact Rebecca Roman at on Talbot Avenue. Angel Infantes, Raul Bogoya, and Ernie 204-326-6401 or rroman@emconf.ca. Koop have each taught one of the first three modules and 26
THE MESSENGER | April 2010
PHOTOS COURTESY LEN BARKMAN
Spanish-language Bible training helps equip church leaders
