Dr. Randall McElwain just returned from Peru, where he conducted two training events in the cities of Trujillo and Pucallpa. Andry Leiva and David Martinez joined him on this trip. During both events, the team taught from the SGC course Doctrine and Practice of the Holy Life.
In Trujillo, 34 leaders gathered, 20 of them pastors. The event was hosted by Bishop Ivan Rojas and other denominational leaders who are passionate about equipping their rural pastors and local lay leaders with biblical training. As Dr. McElwain shared:
« More than 300 churches are part of the Pilgrim Church of Peru. They have a seminary (which uses a few SGC courses), but their rural pastors do not have access to the seminary. This training was part of what they are calling the John Wesley Academy, which will provide training for pastors, teachers, evangelists, and missionaries in a non-traditional format. They anticipate using a combination of in-person meetings and virtual meetings. »
From Trujillo, the team traveled deep into the Amazonian basin to the city of Pucallpa, where 23 pastors and church leaders came together for three days of training. Some of them traveled up to 24 hours by boat on the Amazon River to attend. Hosted by Pastor Jorge, a presbyter in the Pilgrim Church, this gathering was full of a hunger for training. Dr. McElwain said:
« There was a very positive response to the course material. Several pastors left with clear plans to begin SGC training programs in their own churches and communities. »
This is what your prayers and support make possible. Pastors in hard-to-reach places are gaining access to rich, biblical training in their own language and cultural context.
Thank you for being part of this work. Thank you for helping us say yes when opportunities like these arise. And thank you for standing with us as we continue to equip the 85% of global pastors who still lack access to formal theological education.
