Cristóbal Cerón from Chile became a Christian aged 18. Since then he has shared the Gospel with other young people and been involved in church planting, childrens’ evangelism and taking the Gospel into prisons and rehabilitation centres. We reported earlier (January 2004) about Cristóbal’s calling to be a pastor and youth worker, and his need for training. Sponsored by Crosslinks, he has now started a three-year Bachelor of Divinity course at George Whitfield College, South Africa, which provides a good standard of training in a non-Western context. 

The Diocese of Chile recognises the need to train future Chilean leaders and pastors, but is only just developing its own residential seminary. It encourages study abroad so that students gain international experience, receive deeper Bible training, and return to Chile with contacts, friends and a grasp of the wider Anglican Communion. On his return, Cristóbal’s training will help strengthen the Centro de Estudios Pastorales (Centre for Pastoral Studies) and eventually affect the spread of the Gospel and growth of the church in Chile. We need to raise £4,000 each year for Cristóbal’s training. This means, for example, four churches each giving £1,000 per year for three years. Please consider showing your support for people like Cristóbal, as a church or as an individual. 

The bishop knows best 

Stephen Kewasis is the diocesan bishop of Kitale in Kenya. Led to faith by Crosslinks missionaries, he is now been benefiting from the best programme. “I am completing my Master's degree in Mission and Development Practice at the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies. I have been able to reflect on our mission, development, evangelism, and how to address the poverty in our part of the world.” “How do we love the poor in both spirit and body, and transform their lives so that they can feel loved, cared for and empowered? The church is a transforming body where all are welcome to participate and to nourish themselves in the Kingdom of God. We need more resources for training and empowerment of church leadership in all aspects of life. That’s why I came to Oxford. Now I am taking back all the experience, learning and discovery that will benefit not only my diocese, but the whole church in Kenya and beyond.” 

Crosslinks magazine October 2004 index