Posted by deangonzales on September 2, 2010
In June 2006 twenty-three Dominican pastors and ministerial students completed the “Marrow of Theology” program and graduated with a Certificate of Theological Studies (C.T.S.) from Reformed Baptist Seminary. In 2009 three of the honors students from that first class of graduates – all members of Iglesia Bautista de Gracia (Grace Baptist Church) in Santiago, DR, where the program had been hosted – took what they had learned in the Marrow program and together with Pastor Oscar Arocha launched La Academia Ministerial de la Gracia (Grace Ministerial Academy, AMG). They desired to carry out Phase 2 of the vision of the Marrow of Theology program, which is to see the outworking of Paul’s exhortation to Timothy:
And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2, ESV).
Passing the Baton
These gifted brothers, having developed a program to pass on the sound doctrinal teaching they had learned, invited pastors and ministerial aspirants from Latin America to apply for enrollment in a streamlined, intensive training program hosted at Iglesia Bautista de Gracia in Santiago. Grace Ministerial Academy (AMG) graduated its first class of eight students in 2009 and its second class of twelve students in 2010. Moreover, three of the instructors of AMG completed their Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.) degree from Reformed Baptist Seminary in 2010. The AMG graduates came from Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. They are returning to their home churches where they will engage in or support pastoral ministry. In a few cases some will teach in local theological training programs, passing on what they have learned to others.
2010 Graduation Ceremony
It was a tremendous blessing to participate in the July 25 graduation service. Pastor Lou Sloger of Grace Baptist Church, Papillion, Nebraska, was the keynote speaker. He exhorted the graduates not to boast in their acquired theological knowledge as an end in itself, but rather in their vital relationship with the living God. In short, they must endeavor to keep sound doctrine wedded to passionate devotion. I was also encouraged by the testimonies of the students who expressed profound gratitude for the solid education they had received and the pattern of godliness they had observed in the life of the professors and the church. For a brief slide show of the graduation, click the link below.
2010 DR Graduation
Support Ministerial Training in Latin America
God willing, AMG is preparing to enroll a third class of students from Latin America. Iglesia Bautista de Gracia is funding a goodly portion of this program. A significant amount of the remaining funds has already been pledged. However, some additional funds are still needed to cover all the expenses which include lodging, food and travel expenses for the students and a moderate compensation for the professors.
As someone who has been involved in training the AMG professors and who knows they are men of God competent to teach not only by lip, but by life, I can heartily recommend this program. It’s church-based, theologically sound and cost-effective.
If you would like more information about the program or if you are interested in helping fund this third class of students, let me encourage you to contact Pastor Luis Arocha (luis@ibracia.org) or Oskar Arocha Jr (oskararocha@gmail.com). Contributions for AMG can also be made to Grace Baptist Church, 205 E Halleck Street, Papillion, NE 68046, which is a ministry partner in this endeavor. Pastor Lou Sloger of Grace Baptist Church, Papillion can be contacted for more information (ldsloger@cox.net; 402-331-5984).
Your servant,
Bob Gonzales, Dean
Reformed Baptist Seminary
Posted by deangonzales on July 7, 2010
Matt and April Troupe have a passion to see a God-glorifying, Christ-loving, and Spirit-filled church planted in Fresno, California. While they heartily welcome any believers who may be looking for a solid biblical church to join them in their efforts, they’re especially burdened to reach lost people. To achieve that goal, they’re working hard at developing relationships with unbelievers in the hopes of gaining a hearing for the gospel. I’d like to encourage our students and readers to take the time to become acquainted with the Troupe’s church planting effort by reading the Troupe’s most recent prayer letter below and by visit their website: Freegracefresno.com . You can also email Matt for more information at freegracefresno@gmail.com.
Our New Building
Things have been coming along bit by bit in our new facility. We have had volunteers working to remodel the former real estate office into a place we can use for worship. Our people have pitched in to serve and donate so that it is looking more and more “legit.” The transformation has been amazing and there are a few before and after photos attached. The location is great for connecting to the community with lots of foot traffic that has lead to spontaneous contacts.
Two weeks ago we were looking at purchasing chairs, and facing the overwhelming price of $3,700. Out of the blue we received an unexpected answer to prayer. Pastor Robert Cole from Hickman called us and asked us if we needed chairs. One of the people in his church works for a major lab that was getting rid of all of their waiting room chairs. A few days later we were driving a rented Uhaul from Stockton back to Fresno with 57 chairs. Other amazing things like this have been happening to us in the last 6 weeks and we praise God for it…This is certainly an answer to your prayers!
As we have spent time remodeling our building, we have been spending even more time trying to remodel our people. We are in the middle of a 12-week series that is equipping our people to live as missionaries in our community. Several wonderful things have come out of this. First, our people have been taking opportunities to shine the light of truth to people around them. They are sharing stories about making friendships with neighbors, family and coworkers for the sake of the gospel. This has been so refreshing, and we are all thrilled at the opportunity to be reconciled to God and share in the ministry of reconciliation.
Another great encouragement is that we have had several people from outside of our group take advantage of this training. We have had a few people from Youth For Christ (YFC) that have been coming. Also Aaron Telloian, one of our young men (who has been very helpful during this time) is providing the leadership training for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) at Fresno State University over the summer. We are excited that we are able to serve and minister to these people.
Homeless ministry
Please pray for our new friend “Wade,” a homeless man who lives near our new facility; we met him several times and he eventually joined us on Sunday morning. I was preaching on hospitality and spent a considerable amount of time describing what it is like to be a stranger, and how we are all strangers from God. I explained from Ephesians chapter 2 that the gospel is God taking strangers in. He and his friend came in their filthy, stinking clothes and our people warmly welcomed them. He was overwhelmed that people spoke with him and even had lunch with him! We have met with him 3 more times in the last 2 weeks to provide for his practical needs, explain the gospel of grace, and call him to faith and repentance. He is now professing faith in God and is asking for help in changing his life. He has a long history of criminal activity and alcohol abuse. I am planning on bringing him to one of our home groups this week. Please pray for a deep work of transformation.
Several of our people have also continued to attend the “Least of These” ministry where we get to help feed the homeless, eat with them, and share the gospel. During this time, many of these people are hearing the message of a crucified and risen savior. But along with this (maybe even more importantly!) we are experiencing God at work transforming us. We are regularly learning that our aversion to the “unwashed” poor comes from our own pride, selfishness, and love of comfort and security.
We are looking for people to commit to pray for us 1 hour a week for fruitfulness for the ministry here. The prayer covenant can be found on our website here.
Bob Gonzales, Dean
Reformed Baptist Seminary
Posted by deangonzales on July 1, 2010
Reformed Baptist Seminary will co-sponsor with Midwest Center for Theological Studies and The Institute for Reformed Baptist Studies a module which will serve as part of our Polemics curriculum. From Monday, January 3, through Saturday, January 8 (2011), Dr. James White will address and critique Islam, Roman Catholicism, Mormonism, and The New Atheism. Dr. White is the director of Alpha and Omega Ministries, a Christian apologetics organization based in Phoenix, Arizona. He is a professor, having taught Greek, Systematic Theology, and various topics in the field of apologetics. He has authored or contributed to more than twenty books, including The King James Only Controversy, The Forgotten Trinity, The Potter’s Freedom, and The God Who Justifies. He is an accomplished debater, having engaged in more than seventy-five moderated, public debates with leading proponents of Roman Catholicism, Islam, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Mormonism, as well as critics such as Bart Ehrman, John Dominic Crossan, Marcus Borg, and John Shelby Spong. He is an elder of the Phoenix Reformed Baptist Church, has been married to Kelli for more than twenty-seven years, and has two children, Joshua and Summer.
Location: Midwest Center for Theological Studies, 3585 Thruston Dermont Rd, Owensboro, KY US 42303
Lecture Schedule:
Monday – Friday (January 3-7)
Lecture #1 5:00-6:30pm
Dinner 6:30-7:15pm
Lecture #2 7:15-8:30pm
Lecture #3 8:45-10:00pm
Saturday (January 8 )
Lecture #1 9:00-10:15am
Lecture #2 10:30-11:45am
More information is forthcoming.
Your servant,
Bob Gonzales, Dean
Reformed Baptist Seminary
In June 2006 twenty-three Dominican pastors and ministerial students completed the “Marrow of Theology” program and graduated with a Certificate of Theological Studies (C.T.S.) from Reformed Baptist Seminary. In 2009 three of the honors students from that first class of graduates – all members of Iglesia Bautista de Gracia (Grace Baptist Church) in Santiago, DR, where the program had been hosted – took what they had learned in the Marrow program and together with Pastor Oscar Arocha launched La Academia Ministerial de la Gracia (Grace Ministerial Academy, AMG). They desired to carry out Phase 2 of the vision of the Marrow of Theology program, which is to see the outworking of Paul’s exhortation to Timothy:
These gifted brothers, having developed a program to pass on the sound doctrinal teaching they had learned, invited pastors and ministerial aspirants from Latin America to apply for enrollment in a streamlined, intensive training program hosted at Iglesia Bautista de Gracia in Santiago. Grace Ministerial Academy (AMG) graduated its first class of eight students in 2009 and its second class of twelve students in 2010. Moreover, three of the instructors of AMG completed their Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.) degree from Reformed Baptist Seminary in 2010. The AMG graduates came from Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. They are returning to their home churches where they will engage in or support pastoral ministry. In a few cases some will teach in local theological training programs, passing on what they have learned to others.
It was a tremendous blessing to participate in the July 25 graduation service. Pastor Lou Sloger of Grace Baptist Church, Papillion, Nebraska, was the keynote speaker. He exhorted the graduates not to boast in their acquired theological knowledge as an end in itself, but rather in their vital relationship with the living God. In short, they must endeavor to keep sound doctrine wedded to passionate devotion. I was also encouraged by the testimonies of the students who expressed profound gratitude for the solid education they had received and the pattern of godliness they had observed in the life of the professors and the church. For a brief slide show of the graduation, click the link below.
