Worker training: It may not be the most glamorous aspect to mission work, but it is certainly one of the most important. Every weekday morning, Mike prepares classes and then heads to the Mexican Lutheran Seminary, located here in Torreón, to teach. Each year, he spends hours upon hours studying with men who want to become pastors. These men are not just ordinary fellows; they are the future of the Mexican Lutheran Church.
Before I came to Mexico, I envisioned mission work on a very raw basis: heading out to dirty shacks, rounding up people, baptizing them and making new congregations. During my years here on the field, I have seen that evangelism indeed plays a huge role in mission work. But there are other tasks that need to be carried out too, like finding leaders to teach these people when the missionaries leave.
The students at our seminary go through a five-year program. Then they head out to established congregations, or open new congregations in different areas. Together with the missionaries, they help bring people to Christ.
The day-to-day grind of classes may not draw captivating crowds (personally, I have never felt compelled to drop in on a Greek class!). But the long-term results are heart-felt, and an amazing example of the Holy Spirit. Some of the most memorable moments for Mike and me over the years have occurred at graduation ceremonies, as we look into the eyes of an eager new worker and remember just how far they've come...and how far they will go.
Follow this link for more information and news about the Mexican Lutheran Seminary.
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