A new ceiling, lighting and air-conditioning system is being installed in the Dining Hall in preparation for the guests and the students coming in June as well as Graduation Banquet in August. We hope to keep the cost for these improvements to less than $3,000US.
Next week we hope Pastor and Seminary Graduate Julio Lopez and his team from the Upata UMC can complete the security wall on the front street of the Seminary property. Pastor Lopez and the 5 or 6 men with him will take a week of from work - and therefore compensation - travel over 20 hours each way by bus and give their considerable talents to the ministry of the Seminary. Pastor Julio is a building contractor (bi-vocational as is the case with most Venezuelan pastors) and has considerable skills and a tremendous work ethic as well as a deep love for the Seminary. We hope to keep the cost of the wall under $4,000US.
Why does any of this matter? The Seminario Wesleyano de Venezuela has a great ministry equipping and empowering pastors and lay leaders for effective, transformational ministry. Because of the experience received in the seminary, lives are being transformed through the grace of Jesus, ministries are being created, churches are being strengthened, and new churches planted all across the country and across denominational lines. While the Seminary is the official Methodist Seminary of Venezuela, it also has become one of the most significant educational opportunities for the Assembly of God pastors in Venezuela. Some of our graduates are teaching in their Bible college and many of their pastors are students at the Seminary. Because these men and women of God of many denominations are making a difference in the world, they deserve a safe and comfortable place to learn to effectively follow Christ in the Great Commission.
You are invited to a dinner to benefit the Seminary on April 23 at 7:00 at the Due West UMC. The dinner is free, but of course we will ask for gifts for the Seminary. Simply call to make a reservation: 404 502 5678. You can send a gift for this ministry to: Venezuela Now, Inc. PO 1655 Duluth, GA 30096
Below is the report Pastor Toby Ramirez sent us via FaceBook:
Victor Alexander Ramirez OrduñoBrother Warren
estimated hope this well with his family, I am writing to share with you
the blessings of the camp, 15 people opened their hearts to Christ and 7
children were baptized, also 2 children were presented, the food was in
abundance and sermons were powerful, God is good, and we are
preparing the camp of 2011, thank you for your prayers. Thoby pastor
Yesterday, today and tomorrow 120 children, youth and adults are camping on the river near Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela engaged in a Methodist Campmeeting. They are being ministered to by the Methodist pastors of the State of Bolivar. This is a joint effort of all the Methodist churches in the area with support from other United Methodist congregations across the country. All the pastors working in the Campmeeting are students or graduates of the Seminario Wesleyano de Venezuela.
The Seminary has had tremendous impact on the pastors and churches in the Bolivar State. New churches, new Christians, and new pastors are just some of the results of this ministry in that state. Your giving to the Seminary makes this possible, so "thank you."
These pastors travel over 20 hours (some more) each way by bus to come to the Seminary. They leave after church on Sunday, ride all night, and are in class when it begins at 2:00 on Monday. They are among the most faithful students in the seminary, making this sacrificial effort 5 or 6 times a year.
This fall they have invited Dan and me to come to their state for a state-wide evangelistic crusade. Please pray for this as these pastors and churches band together to reach the state and the nation for Christ. I am excited about this opportunity since I have not preached an evangelistic crusade in Venezuela since 2002 in Barquisimeto. They said there were 10,000 at that event and hundreds made a commitment to Christ.This crusade in the Bolivar State should have much greater impact since the pastors and churches will be organized to follow up with converts and begin the lifelong process of spiritual growth. Please pray for this event.
You can support the work these pastors through the Seminary by giving a gift to: Venezuela Now, Inc. PO Box 1655 Duluth, GA 30096
Venezuela Now, Inc. is a non-profit 501c3 Georgia Corporation whose purpose is to support the work of the United Methodist Church of Venezuela in reaching the lost of that country for Christ. Charitable gifts can be made to Venezuela Now, Inc.; P.O. Box 1655, Duluth, GA 30096
This fall they have invited Dan and me to come to their state for a state-wide evangelistic crusade. Please pray for this as these pastors and churches band together to reach the state and the nation for Christ. I am excited about this opportunity since I have not preached an evangelistic crusade in Venezuela since 2002 in Barquisimeto. They said there were 10,000 at that event and hundreds made a commitment to Christ.This crusade in the Bolivar State should have much greater impact since the pastors and churches will be organized to follow up with converts and begin the lifelong process of spiritual growth. Please pray for this event.
