camino central american no 468 summer 1979
TRANSCRIPT
SUMMER 1979
SUMMER
CONTENTS 3 HOW DID THE SEMINARY AS
SUCH GET STARTED? CAMers Nunez and Sywulka chat about root and fruit at Central American Theological Seminary.
6 TO TEACH OTHERS ALSO And speaking of fruit, it seems almost instantaneous. Doing is, indeed, a vital part of learning.
8 50 CANDLES Fifty years old. Now that does demand a celebration. Graduates, former students, and friends came from all over to enjoy the festivities.
10 QUO VADIS No pretense at being the son of a prophet, still , Stan Orth does look ahead for CATS.
12 NOTEWORTHY Music hath charms! It doth, indeed. but some is more charming than other. Phil Blycker reflects on the music scene in his part of Latin America.
16 INTERCAM
18 BULLETIN BOARD
1979
PLATTFORM "To teach others also" ... im
portant, but only part of the
verse.* "Commit to faithful men"
... pivotal. Much hangs or falls at this point. But the really basic,
the sine qua non, in all of this
comes at the beginning, "That
thou hast heard of me." If the
source is not sound, neither the
methodology nor the super
qualified personnel will suffice.
CAM begins with an inerrant, authoritative Book, God's revelation of what He wants us to·
know about Himself and His
creation.
'II Tim. 2:2
PHOTOS by Jerry Laursen, pages 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11; Paul Sywulka, page 3, Harry Larson, page 10.
8625 LA PRADA DRIVE, DALLAS, TEXAS 75228 • 39 MARGATE AVENUE, HAMILTON, ONTARIO, CANADA L8T 1M7 FOUNDED IN 1890 BY C. I. SCOFIELD AS THE CENTRAL AMERICAN MISSION
BULLETIN STAFF: Albert T. Platt , Editor; Carolyn Owens, Editorial Assistant; Jeane Olson, Art Editor. Regional Editors: Jack D. Matlick, Mexico ; Stephen Sywulka , Central America ; Peggy Foskett , Spain .
CAM Bulletin (USPS 096460) is published quarterly by CAM International , 8625 La Prada Drive, Dallas, TX 75228. Secondclass postage paid at Dallas, Texas . POSTMASTER: Send address changes to CAM Bulletin, 8625 La Prada Drive, Dallas, TX 75228. Copyright® 1979 by CAM International. No. 468 .
MEMBER~ EVANGELICAL PRESS ASSOCIATION • MEMBER INTERDENOMINATIONAL FOREIGN MISSION ASSOCIATION
Sywulka: We 're celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Seminary, but, of course, when it began in 1929 it was the Central American Bible Institute.
Ho"Wdidthe Se•••inary as
sueh get started?
Dr. Emilio Antonio NUiiez
Nunez: The Seminary program opened its doors for the
first time in 1966. We began with five students. For years
we had been seeing the need for training on a higher academic level. The church in Latin America has not only
been growing numerically, but also coming up socio
economically. At the same time, our countries are going through a period of sudden and profound changes. This calls for a better -prepared leadership for the demands of
the present time. Also, as Christian young people began
to get more education , some of them studying in the universities, it was natural to expect that they would look
for a theological institution that would respond to their
academic as pi rations. When we first talked about founding a seminary, some
of the brethren didn't give us much encouragement. But
I think time has justified our decision. This year we have
132 students from 16 countries enrolled in the Seminary. We've been operating for 13 years, and all of our
graduates are active in some form of ministry- as
pastors, evangelists, teachers, counselors, administrators .
Sywulka: What is the Seminary's function on the Latin
American evangelical scene today?
Nunez: There are two things we are trying to accomplish. First, pastoral training. The church is growing
very fast numerically, but it tends to lack systematic instruction in the Word. We place a strong emphasis on the authority of Scripture and upon its analysis and
exposition . The contribution offered in this area by our graduates will undoubtedly help enrich the teaching ministry of the church as a whole .
3
Second, there is the area of theology. The current theological scene is very complex, and it is going to get worse . All kinds of currents are flowing. We need to
raise up a leadership which is deeply rooted in the Word
of God.
We try to make our students aware of those different
currents. Liberation Theology, for example, attracts thinking people, those people who are disturbed by the
system of under-development in which we live and the poverty, and sincerely want the liberation of our peoples.
But the problem with this thinking is that it moves from society to theology, rather than the reverse. Sociological
analysis is more important to them than the biblical text . At the same time, we try to show the need for
contextuali zation.
Sywulka: Contextualization?
Nunez: This means studying the text , using the standard
hermeneutical norms, but then going on to ask ourselves how we can apply the principles of the Word of God to our culture.
It also means being aware that the gospel has come to us in cultural clothing . If you look at our hymnbook, for example, most of the songs are translated from English .
Our forms of worship, even our church structures, have largel y been inherited from the pioneer North American missionaries.
We need the incarnation of the gospel in our own culture. It is time for men to rise up from among us, gifted by the Holy Spirit , to express theologically the
unchanging truths of the Word of God in our beautiful Span ish language, taking into account our particular American-Latin heritage.
4
Dr. Ste phe n Sywul ka inte rviewi ng Dr. NUiiez
Sywulka: Where does this leave the missionary? Nunez: What I am expressing is not an " anti-Yankee"
feeling . The missionary-if he is culturally conscious-can
be a valuable element. As a foreigner, he may even have
better insight into our culture in some respects than we
do. Nor is it to say that our Latin American culture is
pure, simply because it is Latin . We do not despise the
foreign theological literature, which is a gift of God to all His people . But we want to see the Latin American
church have its own biblical theological expression which
will contribute to the treasure of universal Christian knowledge . There is ample room for Latin American
theologians, whom the Seminary should at least start on the road toward serious biblical thinking.
Sywulka: What do you see in the future for the Seminary?
Nunez: Our opportunities for ministry are constantly
expanding. Over 90 are coming to our Monday pastors' class, half of them from other denominations. Here we
are in a city of 1,250,000 people, with more than 250
evangelical churches . There are many people who want
to study. The night school program, both Seminary and
Bible Institute, alone would be enough to justify our
existence . And we ' re getting letters all the time from
prospective students all over Latin America, Spain, and the U.S.
We need to consider seriously an extension program on the Seminary level. The churches have been asking
for this. We would like to start a summer-school program
during our vacation period , November to january, for university students and professors, school teachers, and others who need grounding in the Word .
And we want to increase and upgrade our Latin American faculty .
Sywulka: The faculty is about half Latin American now, right?
Nunez: We have seven full-time Latin professors, plus several part-time, and nine North Americans. Historically,
the evangelical church here has tended to come from the lower, uneducated classes. To some extent, we have to grow our own staff. We have the licentiate or Master's
program, of course, which should produce its first graduates this year. Three of our Latin faculty are in this program. And several of our graduates are going on for further study in other institutions. We hope to have two men begin programs this fall in the U.S. with scholarships provided by the Seminary.
1\.at Sy~ulka: They ~ill eventually return to teach here? F Nunez: They will have an obligation to return for a
certain period as is the case with scholarships provided by the OAS and governments.
Sywulka: How are these scholarships funded?
Nunez: We depend on the Lord. He provides through interested individuals just as He does for other aspects of the Seminary's operation. Besides the scholarships, of course, there is the need for adequate salaries for our non-missionary faculty members.
I would like to add that we are not going to take someone just because he is a Latin American. In fact, I wouldn't want to see only Latin Americans here . I'd like to have an Asian and an African working alongside the Latin Americans and North Americans on the faculty, because of the perspective they could give us on the whole body of Christ. But we are continually looking for qualified Latin Americans.
EXPENDITURES 1979
Administrative and Teaching Personnel of the Seminary
INCOME
Philip W. Blycker, M. Music Ed.- Director of Music
Daniel Cabrera, Prof. Th. - Dean of Men
Esther Lopez de Cotjas, M.A. - Professor of Christian
Education Evis L. Carballosa, Th.M., Ph.D. - Rector
Edgar Contreras, Prof. Th. - Professor of Theology Gerald A. Laursen, Th.D.- Professor of New Testament A. Julian Lloret, Th.D. - Professor of Evangelism and
Missions
Oscar Lopez, Th.M. - Professor of Homiletics Paul D. Lowery, Th.D. -Director of Department of
Biblical Literature
Froilan Mazariegos - Business Manager Dorothy McCullough, M.A. - Dean of Women Guillermo Mendez, Prof. Th.- Instructor in Theology
David R. Mendieta, M.A.- Professor of Christian Ministries
Emilio Antonio Nunez, Th.D. - Professor of Theology
John H. Or me, Th.D.- Director of Department of Theology
Stanford Orth, Th.D. - Vice-Rector Homer C. Parry, B.A. - Supervisor of Construction
Maximo Perez, Prof. Th.- Director of Admissions Cornelio Rivera, Th.M.- Professor of Old Testament C. Ted Smith, Th.M.- Administrator of Extension Paul E. Sywulka, Th.M. - Academic Dean William D. Taylor, Th.M., Ph.D.- Director of Department
of Christian Ministry
Wray Ellen Ward, B.A. - Registrar Gary R. Williams, Th.M. - Professor of Bible and Theology
5
The divine, eternal Word, given to us to communicate. As a seed it is planted, germinates, takes
invisible root, grows, flowers, and produces fruit.
God has given us at the Seminary superb opportuni
ties to communicate this Word in a great variety of situations, both in
evangelism and edification.
By Dr. William D. Taylor
Sandra Alvarez, in her first
year of study, comes from the Dominican Republic.
She and Sarita Villatoro, a second year Guatemalan,
have started pouring themselves into,the lives of
children supervised by
eae Orpha Gonzales, a fourth
year Guatemalan. But their job is not only to win and teach children ; their major
task is to train young
couples in this church to
take over their job. The Word to children .
Julio Arias with co-teacher, Orfa Gonzalez
Hermes del Saito, a second year Ecuadorian, not
only teaches children, but belongs to a hospital
visitation team that ministers
the Word to a wealthier
class of people. Two other teams visit the pediatric
ward of a major government hospital each week. The Word to the worried and ill.
Alberto Roldan, a special student from Argentina,
comes to the Seminary with
experience already in teaching at a Bible institute
in his homeland. Here in
Guatemala he and his wife
have teamed up to teach
the Scripture in a large
capital city church which he
co-pastors. Teamwork, and
the Word molds a local
church.
Alberro Roldan and wife
Dr. Stanford Orth, VicePresident, by his own life
sets an example. A gifted administrator and teacher,
his quiet ministry both at the Seminary and a local
church makes its impact as the Word reaches out and
touches hurting people with specific applications to twentieth-century living in Latin America.
ers Professor Gary Williams,
with three years of
experience teaching in the
CAM Seminary in Puebla, is
a Wheaton College, Dallas
Seminary grad with a heart
for people. Whether
teaching students in the Seminary, or home Bible
classes, or as in this picture,
teaching a workshop during
the Anniversary week, Gary
is a man who communicates
the Word, wherever.
Gary Williams
GRADUATES: One of the most recent
graduates, Jeremiah Aguilar, now pastors a blue-collar
congregation in a suburb of
Guatemala City. He is a
young man who has grown
tremendously in his
knowledge and use of the
Word, and with his wife
Elsa, also a grad, feeds his
flock from the Word.
Daniel Urena hails from
the Dominican Republic,
where he has returned to pastor a church , alongside
his wife Elizabeth, a Costa
Rican grad of the Seminary.
Alejandro Montes, a Peruvian, has been called by
the Christian and Missionary
Alliance in Texas, where he
ministers to a Spanish
speaking church. The Word
in His churches.
0 Dina Saldivar de Escobar,
a Mexican, now works
alongside her Salvadoran
husband in national youth discipleship in El Salvador.
An author of two books, she
also works full time with
World Vision in a ministry
to children. The Word to
youth, in the printed page, and to children.
~ Guillermo Me ndez
Guillermo Mendez, a grad
of last year, not only is on
the staff of the Seminary,
but also has developed and directs the Seminary radio
program. Lord willing, he, with his wife Beatriz, will be
continuing his studies this fall at Dallas Theological Seminary. The Word, in class and on the invisible
sound waves.
Daniel Figueroa, a Salvadoran, now pastors a
church in Tarragona, Spain . His winsome spirit , powerful
teaching, and discipleship
ministry, make him an
unusual man of God. The
Word, with a man baptizing
in the Mediterranean.
Salomon Rodriguez, is now back in his beloved
Colombia. Having studied at the Seminary for four years,
he was graduated in 1976. His maturity, gifts, and love for people have equipped
him to pastor a large church . The Word, in South America, to God's people.
Sa lomon Rodriguez
7
Below, 1he Rev . Rene Zapala, Direclor of Ediciones las Americas
in Mexico . gave a challenging series on Christian leadership.
The Rev. Eliseo Hernandez. distinguished alumnus and pastor
of 1he Cenual Church in San Salvador. brings the message in one of the evening
meelings held in 1he Nazarelh Church near the Seminary.
Workshops were offered for slUdeniS and alumni on topics of contemporary interests. Esther LOpez Cajas leads one
on the role of the Christian woman.
live demonstra tion by veteran translator
Ed Sywulka and his Mam informant,
Gonza lo Lopez, along Nith copies of modern
and ancie nt Spanish Bibles and authentic
pages from historic editions in several
languages.
8
1929
Nearly 300 alumni joined with the current student body, staff, and other friends to celebrate 50 years of God 's faithfulness to the Central American Theological Seminary, February 5-9, 1979. From its humble beginning in 1929 as the Central American Bible Institute, with nine students in borrowed facilities, the Seminary has grown to become one of the outstanding institutions of biblical and theological learning in the Spanish-speaking world . Current enrollment is 132, plus 240 students in the Evening Bible Inst itute and 90 in classes for pastors.
The fo ur days of ce lebration are climaxed with the observance of the lord 's Supper in the new chapel.
By Dr. Stephen Sywulka
Th e celebra tion was highlighted by the dedication
of the new chapel. Rev. Malon Col lins offers the
dedicatory prayer. accompanied by Rev.
Haro ld Van Broekhoven , Dr. Antonio NUnez. Mr. Homer
Parry, and Or. Albert T. Platt.
The stud ent " Doxology Group ," directed by Phil Blycker,
brings specia l music.
Sem inary and chu rc h leaders dedicate the institution anew to God as Mrs. Gladys_ Plan sings .
A historical exhibit with photos and mementos of the past years drew a steady stream of visitors.
9
0
CAM bookstore
10
By Dr. Stanford Orth
Dr. Evis Ca rballosa
It is both human and biblical to ask, "Where do we go from here? " Faculty, students, friends, and Mission leaders are asking the question. Those of us who have a part in the ministry of the Central American Theological Seminary are not prophets. And we are very conscious of James's counsel that "you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow ... you ought to say, ' If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or that' " (James 4:14-15 NASB).
But we do dream and we do plan and we share with you now the thoughts and projections which are surfacing in our conversations and planning meetings. ACADEMIC PROGRAMS There are two strong currents running side by side in the Seminary's academic projections. One is the conviction that the quality of our biblical preparation must continue to improve. This means a well prepared faculty, and quality content and methodology. But is also requires that students who enter the programs demonstrate quality preparation, Christian experience, and personal goals. In recent years the admissions process has been more selective and the annual evaluation of each student's academic, spiritual, and ministerial growth has been more severe. The results are encouraging.
ENROLLMENT PATTERNS 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
Seminary 72 87 101 109 100 (day)
Seminary 33 31 38 32 32 (night)
Bible Institute 160 184 235 213 240 (night)
Pastors' Classes 45 50 55 70 90 (Monday)
The other current calls for creative efforts to meet the crying needs of special groups. In Latin America, night classes are in vogue. At this moment 277 are studying in our night programs. Expansion of curriculum and opportunities for completing programs at night are essential for those who are already in ministries, studies, or professions during the day.
In our vacation months the faculty, dorms, and classrooms can meet the need of professionals, public school teachers, and pastors who can devote time to intensive study in the Word of God. Carlos is a high school teacher in a neighboring country. He is a leader and Sunday School
teacher in his church, and is working to lead his colleagues in his school to the Lord. He has time on his hands when vacation comes, and he wants to study the Word . He has thought of serving the Lord in the pastorate in the future. The spiritual dividends of Carlos's life and service will begin immediately when he can study the Word of God in the vacation period.
Christian workers in the Guatemala City area, many with minimal preparation, are sensing their need of more training to expound the Word and to understand the present theological trends in the light of the Scriptures. They are flocking to non-credit studies offered to them now on a weekly basis (90 pastors this semester). We are being asked to formalize a program of study for them and also to extend this opportunity to other areas of the country. The ministry of imparting vision, stimulus, new skills, and knowledge of the Scriptures to leaders already in key places of ministry can revolutionize the work of the Lord . PERSONNEL AND LIBRARY One change is imminent. In June, Dr. Nunez, after 13 years as Rector, will fulfill his wish to dedicate more time to teaching and writing. Dr. Evis Carballosa will take the position, bringing with him the perspective of a varied and successful ministry as university teacher, founder and director of a Bible institute, conference speaker in Europe, the United States, and Latin America, and author of several books.
The need of additional Latin American faculty is high on the agenda (see the interview with Dr. Nunez on page 3) . This represents a strategic and essential move in missions today, but also a substantial economic hurdle. Missionary personnel come to the Seminary with their own personal support. Each non-missionary member of the faculty requires an increase of about $6,000 in the budget of the institution, a " bargain " in missions but a serious barrier to latinization.
$111,900
GROWTH OF ANNUAL BUDGET 1975-1979
$124,000 $132,000 $173,650 $216,900
Another "faculty member" is the library which has grown from 5,000 to 9,000 volumes in five years. Now, each year 750 books should be added, at a cost of about $3,000. This is the least expensive, and one of the most necessary of our " teachers" in a graduate level program that requires much
student research . CAMPUS Our team has a " people" mentality, and is not facilities oriented . God has supplied buildings that at this moment are adequate and we are very thankful. However, we do not want to be caught napping in the near future when our student body (now 460 from 16 countries) bursts the seams. CAM International , with its farsighted desire that any future construction be carried out wisely, is now studying the recommendations for a master plan made by the architects and engineers of Missionary Tech Team (Longview, Texas). OUTREACH There is no way to hold the " lid " on the limitless dynamic of such a large group of keenly committed Christians. The result? Ministry multiplies! It is impossible to measure the impact on the churches and on the people our students and faculty touch in Guatemala City alone.
In the future we want students and faculty to be more involved in planting new churches in and near the city. Ciudad San Cristobal and La Colonia Cuatro de Febrero are two new areas at opposite ends of the socio-economic spectrum. They are an immediate challenge and they illustrate an endless task of sowing new congregations in this urban center of more than one million .
Finally, the Seminary aspires, through faculty, graduates and publications, to help shape the theological environment of the Church in the Spanish-speaking world. Recently, three books by faculty members Edgar Contreras and Antonio Nunez were published in one month. That is a record that will not soon be matched . In the accompanying photograph you can see the beginning of a very effective ministry in writing.
There will be other changes and, with the Lord 's blessing, other major steps to meet the needs of the Spanish-speaking world. This world is changing so rapidly that our visions of ten yea rs ago do not match the reality of today. Another 50 years of ministry, if the Lord tarries, will bring challenges and changes that we do not dream of today. On the Seminary's 50th birthday, members of its board, faculty, student body, and alumni stood together before several hundred guests to pledge, under God, that this institution would continue to serve Him humbly and biblically, guarding and proclaiming the truths of the inerrant Scriptures in the years ahead. Growth and accomplishments that we plan now will come to pass as God supplies Spirit-controlled men, consecrated ~·~ pO f d d f d f h k -J!!!!!; · un s, an in inite wis om or t e tas . ""' ·
11
12
Music, music everywhere, and not a pause to think! (with apologies to some ancient mariner). With
music on AM and FM radio, VHF and UHF television,
records and tapes (not to mention live performances),
we are being bombarded with instrumental and vocal
music from soup to nuts from dawn to dusk. We have
music to drive to school and work with, to cook and clean with, to dine and shop with. Hitler used music to
encourage his troops and to demoralize the enemy. Nobody can doubt the power of music.
We Christians have music to comfort and to
encourage us, to admonish and to teach us; we also use
music to worship God, to evangelize non-Christians, and
to exhort lukewarm believers to walk in the Spirit. God
has given mankind the gift of music not to keep us from
getting bored but to glorify His holy name. However, I believe that the Lord would have us pass some time each
day in silence to help us clear our minds and to meditate
on Him and His Word.
God has given mankind the gift of musie, not to keep us from getting bored, but to glorify Dis holy name.
There is a sacred song entitled, " Life Is a Symphony,"
God being the conductor of the orchestra and His
children being the instruments. Who ever heard of a symphony without some rests? Some are longer than
others, but nevertheless, some spaces of silence are
quite essential; without them the musical sounds would
lose their effect. Having been a band director, music teacher,
symphony musician, and a minister of music in several churches in the U.S.A., my last ten years of service with
By Philip Blycker
CAM International in Guatemala have been both
rewarding and enlightening. The typical student at the Central American Theological Seminary in Guatemala
City does not walk around with a transistor radio glued
to his ear, but he may quite often be seen plucking and strumming his guitar for his own enjoyment and also
getting ready for his next youth group encounter.
We reeognize the importanee of aehieving a "good" Latin Ameriean sound in our ehoral musie.
Some questions that arise are: How much of the
regional folk music performed on the marimba will affect his playing? How much of the " Anglo" music that
he has been exposed to in the evangelical church will
play a part in his special arrangement on the guitar? Will there be any noticeable effects of the latest hits from the States in his interpretation? Will he forget his national
heritage (Mexican, Guatemalan, Ecuadorian, Spanish) as he rehearses for his upcoming performance on the
weekend? Is music really a universal language? We have found in our instrumental teaching (band
and keyboard instruments) that if the Latin American student has had little or no musical background, the main keys to his progress will be his intelligence and his
motivation. In other words, there is no basic difference between " us" and "them." Those students that have
been exposed to music in their hometowns, or whose
parents have encouraged them to participate and to excel , will usually do very well when they enroll in the
Seminary music program. An Indian who has had the
same or similar education as a Ladino, and who has devoted himself in a similar manner to developing his
13
musical skills, will, in fact, sound similar. At the Central American Theological Seminary, we
have come to the place where we recognize the importance of achieving a "good" Latin American sound in our choral group. Yes, we do sing some excellent classical choir music in our programs. No, we do not sing South American nightclub tunes in the churches and schools on our itineraries. How are we guided in our selection of a suitable choral presentation?
14
The content of the words or message is paramount. Some numbers are translations of good solid hymns. Although we are continually encountering new material, we do not feel that we can reject the best of the past. A
variation of this plan is to use the words of a Watts or Wesley hymn and set it to new music; this is exciting because the sounds are fresh, and the fine poems of past
generations are preserved. We like to use contemporary tunes with new words,
also. Sometimes these are located in published form here in Central America. More often than not, we have to make a translation of the words, write for permission to use the music along with "dittoed" copies for the choir
and accompanists, and then proceed to incorporate our guitars to suit our own tastes. I may make suggestions, but I always leave the working out of the rhythmic patterns to the leader of the guitarists, who in turn irons out the individual problems which sometimes crop up.
The young people have enjoyed using the triangle, finger cymbals, maracas, and tambourine in one or two numbers during a concert. The audience enjoys the change of pace, and these rhythm instruments enhance the message of praise.
The eontents of the words or message is paramount.
This past school year, for use with the Seminary choir, I composed new music to Frances Havergal's fine hymn of dedication, "Take My Life." One guitar plucking harmony and one flute playing melody provided a simple, but lovely introduction, after which the choir entered with three additional guitars and the piano joining in. One joyous hymn of adoration of Jesus Christ
e
the King incorporated three trumpets which enhanced the arrangement with their brilliance.
In most of our concert presentations we used a
Mexican melody and a centuries-old Spanish poem
which depicts the crucifixion . Our sound man, a
Panamanian student named Milton, played the claves, which, along with the guitars and the keyboard, brought
out the syncopated rhythm as the harmony changed
back and forth from minor to major mode. Many people
were deeply moved by that number, because they could
identify with both the music and the need for Christians
to lead a consecrated life in light of the Lord's love for us.
Some people have wondered about the possibility of using the marimba in the serviee of the Lord.
We often ended our programs with an arrangement of
" Stand Up for jesus," which began with a snare drum
solo by Milton, joined by a martial trumpet call. The
eight male singers sang the first stanza, the eight girls the second with a different tune, and so it went on to a
dynamic and climactic finish .
Some people have wondered about the possibility of using the national instrument of Guatemala, the
marimba, in the service of the Lord. This instrument,
which appears to have come to the " Land of Eternal
Springtime" from either Africa or Southeast Asia1
(although many Guatemalans insist it originated with
their own Indians) , is commonly thought of as an
instrument of the cantina or tavern . However, the marimba is not only played at fiestas, but also at important cultural events. Some Christians have rejected
it because they themselves played the marimba at wild parties before Christ saved them. Other Christians who
don't have that background have performed on the marimba at church services in Guatemala without any
problem. Perhaps the fact that the words " Dios Es Amor" (God Is Love) were painted on the front of the marimba made a difference!
As an instrument for entertainment, the marimba is
1 Che noweth , Vid a. The M arimbas of Guatemala, Univers ity of Ke ntucky Press, 1964.
played by seven men on two good-sized instruments,
accompanied by a drum set and a string bass. I have
never seen this " marimba orchestra" used in a Christian setting.
Guatemala does not possess an especially rich musical
heritage. Some ethnomusicologists have made studies of
the melodies employed by certain Indian tribes; others
have studied the various pre-Columbian instruments
used, like the tun (slit drum), the tzijolaj (primitive Indian flute), tzicahuzatli (deer or tapir bones for scraping
effects), chinchin (maracas made from dried gourds), and ayot/ (turtle shell) for tapping out rhythms. Among the
ancient musical' instruments previously mentioned, only
the tzijolaj played a part in the religious life of the Mayan Indians. This three-holed flute was used in both
Guatemala and Southern Mexico in their liturgy to help elevate the prayers of the worshipers.2
Nowadays, to the casual observer, only two
instruments are usually seen being played by Indians,
often on the steps of Roman Catholic churches. They are the drum, not the wooden tun but a more modern
variety with skin stretched over the end to produce the
sound, and also the chirimia which is a woodwind
instrument about 16 inches in length. It has a double
reed mouthpiece like the modern bassoon and an extremely nasal tone like the medieval krumhorn. In the
folk dances performed in the church and market patios I have seen the marimba combined with a drum and a
wooden flute of modern style. None of these instruments or their unusually plaintive melodies are used by the
evangelical churches in the Guatemala City area.
On the contemporary, we have encountered a number of musical groups who have patterned their styles after
certain gospel-rock groups of the U.S.A. They tend to have an overbearing percussionist and always turn up the volume on their over-sized speakers for their electric
guitars. The spiritual impact of these groups, in my
opinion, is negligible. We believe that God has called us to use the talents
we possess to help produce musicians and train Christian leaders here in Central America, who, as we read in II
Timothy 2:2, will in turn minister to others and teach others to develop their God-given gifts for His glory in
Latin America.
' Cast illo , Jesus. La Musica Ma ya-Quiche, Edito ri al Piedra Santa , Guate mala , 1977. 15
lnter[j]CAM PREPARING FOR TOMORROW WHILE SERVING TODAY
Puebla, Mexico - Nets hang motionless in their hoops above the basketball courts. Birds dart about above the empty campus, chattering without frequent interruptions by man-made noises. Then the large wrought-iron gates clang as a curious passerby enters. He wonders what goes on around this quiet place.
Approaching the two-story building directly in front, he notices a couple of notebooks on a window ledge. Atop are stacked pens, textbooks, and Bibles. Just then two young people about his age come out of the building, and, interested, he begins to ask them questions.
In a while he feels welcome here, and he listens to them talk about God as if they knew Him personally. More inquiries bring a beginning of an understanding of what does go on here at the Bible Seminary of Puebla.
Visiting the classrooms, he observes college-age students taking notes, directing a song, or discussing the Bible with a teacher. The 4-year course of study, he learns, aims at preparing the students to be pastors. Sometimes they enter other occupations, but 8 out of 10 grads find full-time work as pastors, Bible school teachers, missionaries, bookstore personnel , or Christian Education directors.
Students don' t spend their four years just studying and looking forward to a ministry, however. Returning from Christmas vacation, for example, the students reported good reception in their many invitations to serve in home churches and elsewhere.
Carolina, a soft-spoken freshman, accepted an invitation to work during vacation with a Mexico City church. The church had organized a project for reaching neighborhood children and asked Carolina to teach them about Christ. Each day Carolina found herself working with about 150 children. Later the church asked her to speak to the youth group as well. The Lord used both ministries to draw people to Himself.
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Also during vacation one of our sophomore women went to Mexico City to help a pastor who cares for four churches. In traveling to the others, he could not attend to the traditional nightly services that one church enjoys before Christmas. He gave our student, Jacinta, much more than she had bargained for including the preparation and direction of the Christmas musical drama. Jacinta said the rewarding experience taught her to depend completely upon the Lord!
Javier, who earned top grades last quarter, tells about his vacation: "I heard about two churches which had been without a pastor for six months. Each day I visited one church or the other, getting back and forth between the two towns by hitching rides with the coal mining trucks that travel between them. We studied the Bible daily and visited believers in their homes. On Christmas Eve we had a united service in one town; on New Year's Eve, in the other. I realized I have so much to learn yet, especially in preparing sermon~ . "
A senior, Lazaro, has worked during vacations as an effective evangelist. Walking from town to town, he addresses his people in their own Totonaco Indian language. Upon graduation, Lazaro may accept an invitation to pastor a church of 100 people and teach in the Totonacan Bible School nearby.
Students don't limit their off-campus ministries to vacation time. Besides their ongoing Christian service assignments during the school year, many volunteer for extra ministries. And all students participate in the oncampus work of Back to the Bible Broadcast correspondence. This year government action cut most evangelical radio broadcasts in Mexico, but letters continue to come in.
Four girls sort the mail and answer with an appropriate booklet or a requested correspondence course. If a listener's question requires more attention, the girls route it to another student or to a professor to answer. As the students answer about fifty percent of the letters, they include their personal testimonies and promise to pray for the correspondent.
In such ways the Bible Seminary of Puebla students not only prepare for tomorrow but also serve today. And their campus is not usually quiet .. . Come on, it's time to play basketball!
- jeanne Brozovich
CAMILO'S MIRACLE Managua, Nicaragua - I finished my work in the fields and came home with one thing on my mind. I wanted to read more of the Bible. I'd sit and read almost every evening by kerosene lamp till ten or eleven o'clock when I'd fall asleep hunched over the table.
One night I read about my sins, and the judgment day, and Christ's coming . Filled with humiliation and fear, I went outside of our humble home to look up at the vast, star-filled heavens. How can a person get to heaven? Stop drinking, stop running around with women, stop going to parties, stop lying, stop fighting?? Hah, it would be better to die than to give up all that!! A shiver came over me. " Oh, God of heaven, if I die, I ask you to send your angels to accompany me into the grave and if I'm alive when Christ comes back, I pray I will be repentant. "
A growing unrest and disgust with the hypocrisy in my life and the lives
of those around me brought me to a decision to reform. I stopped smoking and drinking, I stayed home with my wife. I tried to control my anger, language, and fighting. But, alas, it was impossible. I just couldn't change.
One afternoon I blew up at a family member and started a big fight. Feeling totally defeated, I left the house, shovel over my shoulder, to work in the field. Out of sight of the house I knelt and prayed , " God, they say you help those who want to obey, but why don't you help me?!! Satan trips me up and I, myself, choose to sin. I can't win!" My own heart answered the problem-" You can't win because you don' t do God's will. You haven't given yourself to Christ and believed on Him ... . Tomorrow I will go to town to see the pastor. Tomorrow I will give myself to Christ."
The night seemed endless as I anxiously waited for the first rays of sun to creep over the beautiful green hills. In a horrible nightmare I dreamed that I refused to accept Christ. When I told my wife about my dream, she said, "You should go ahead today and give yourself to Christ. "
I made the two-hour trip by mule to town to ask jesus into my heart when the invitation was given. I left that service so happy, so calm, so relieved. From that moment on, God gave me a burning desire to witness to everyone I met. Two weeks later, after fulfilling an obligation, I returned home to find that my wife had accepted Christ in response to an invitation on the radio.
Three months later I began studying in a short-term Bible institute program held for two weeks twice a year. Although I faced a difficult trial just five days before I was to leave for the institute, I was not deterred from going. God graciously provided for me to continue that course of study for the next four years. Last year I pastored a small church. God continues His miraculous work of changing lives. The church grew rapidly from 60 to 100.
I now have the tremendous privilege of studying at the Nicaragua Bible Institute. Many others, like me, have stepped out in faith that God will provide our needs- and He has!
My heart is filled with praise to Him for all He has done!
-Camilo (as translated by Barbara Robinson)
PASTOR STILL ACTIVE AT 90 Choluteca, Honduras - Don Federico Apl fcano, one of Honduras' oldest pastors, will be 90 years old in July. Don Lico, as he is affectionately called, accepted jesus Christ as his personal Savior in 1913. A short while later he
Don j ul io M arriaga presenti ng don Federico Apllca no a certi fica te commemora ting 60 yea rs in th e Lord 's service
led his sister, Francisca, now 83, to the Lord.
During that time CAM pioneer missionary, Mr. C. Fred Lincoln , arrived in southern Honduras. He learned of this young Christian who was studying in the School of Arts in the capital. At Mr. Lincoln 's invitation, don Lico left school in order to serve the Lord full time. For 60 years he has faithfully done so.
His life reveals his firm Christian convictions for which I thank the Lord . They have been a source of encouragement to me. In 1978 he was presented a certificate of honor, recognizing his 60 years of service to the Lord. He continues to teach a Sunday school class and witnesses in a visitation ministry.
- Helen Longanecker
YOUTH WORKERS TRAINED Pinos Reales, Spain- Training youth workers is an important aspect of ministry at the Conference Center. Three days of " on-the-job training" in camp counseling was a life-changing experience for these three Christian young men from Bilbao. They experienced a new relationship with each other and new vision challenged them to serve God in every area of life.
More recently Manolo and Jose Mari traveled all night at their own expense to attend a one-day training seminar, further preparing for this new venture . -Tommy Skipper
GOD PREPARES MKs Ephrata, Pennsylvania - We marvel at the Lord 's working! Last fall both Lisa, age 8, and Lori , age 6, began talking about earthquakes, and they said they were scared to go to Guatemala. Several weeks later we had a tremor here in Lancaster County (quite unusual) which they noticed and recognized as an earthqu<s.<e from descriptio'ls they had heard. Now they no longer fear them.
Then last month Lori realized that there are Indians in Guatemala . She expressed fear of Indians and said that she was not going to go along to Guatemala . Our talking and reasoning with her did not seem to help. Then two weeks ago there was a special assembly program at school. You guessed it! There was an Indian man th ere in costume and Lori loved it. Now she says that Indians are nice and she no longer fears them. So now it appears that our whole family is eager to go. Praise the Lord .
-Irvin and janet Wenger
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Bulletin Board
FURLOUGHS Aziel and Marian Jones, Columbia,
South Carolina, june, 1979- June, 1980.
Dick and Charlotte Kryder, % H. E. Mohler, 1757 Regents Park Road , Crofton , Maryland 21114, June, 1979-March, 1980.
NEWEST MK'S To Gary and Pauline Williams,
Nathanael lan , born February 22. To Oscar and Peggy Lopez, Janelle
Marie, born February 27. To Richard and Yvonne Plowman,
Joel Mark, born March 12. To Cornelio and Aida Rivera, Samuel
Benjamin, born March 30.
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Chalo and Beth Sandoval, 5012 San Marcus, Mesquite, Texas 75150, June, 1979- june, 1980.
To Rolland and JoAnn Smith, Brenton Rolland , born April 30.
CAM INTERNATIONAL STATEMENT Of CASH RECEIPTS & DISBURSEMENTS
The books and records were audited by Cole, Patterson & Co., Certified Public Accountants. Copies of the audit report may be obtained upon request .
RECEIPTS General fund Designated for:
Missionaries field Purposes
Practical Missionary Training
TOTAL RECEIPTS
CALENDAR YEAR 1976 1977
s 364,464
2,411 ,612 261 ,212
11 ,131
3,048,419
$ 334,989
2,224,636 277 ,905
9,908
2,647,436
DISBURSEMENTS General fund
Administrative Expenses 209,655 184,973 Communication & Representation 64,052 75,955 field Institutions & Projects 63 ,226 56,331
Designated for: Missionaries 2,337 ,051 2,176702 field Purposes 284,610 322,911
Practical Missionary Training 6,446 11,243
TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS 2,987,242 2,630,115
EXCESS Of RECEIPTS OVER DISBURSEMENTS 61,177 17,323
FUND BALANCES-START Of YEAR 575,675 S58,352
FUND BALANCES-END Of YEAR s 636,652 575,675
Fund balances on hand at the end of the year represent liabilities to missionaries , field institutions, and field projects for contributions received in the current yea r, but payable in the following year.
Following is a summary of special prayer requests in this issue, as noted by the CAM-PO symbols:
" How Did the Seminary as such Get Started?" pages 3-4 - for successful adaptation to U.S. culture and language for the Latins coming here for study; also the necessary scholarship funds for them.
"To Teach Others Also," pages 6-7- specifically for God 's direction and blessing on each ministry described .
" Quo Vadis," pages 10-11 - for God's wisdom, guidance, and provision for the continued development of the Semi nary's ministry.
July 29 - August 4
THE FIRS
Dr. Richoud Strauss Pastor
Emmanuel Faith Community Church
Escondido, California
ED Aerogram for
~~~~he morning. water skiing, river
....,,"'""~r,:l,., excursions to Mt. and San Juan Islands,
f tourney, crafts.
ports from CAM Country, CAM missionaries with audio visuals.
For information & reservations write: The Firs 4605 Cable St. Bellingham, W A 98225 Tel. (206) 733-6840
C((J.__ __ ___.
August 11 -17
GULL LAKE
Rew. J. Ronald Blue Chairman, Department
of World Misstons Dallas Theological
Seminary
Dr. Albert Platt President
CAM International
MUSIC: Don Rutledge, Gladys Platt and others.
FAMILY FESTIVAL OF ACTIVITIES: Swimming, boating, all sports, excursions to Kellogg bird sanctuary and cereal plant.
Reports from CAM Country with audio visuals.
For information & reservations write: Gull Lake Conference Box 1 Hickory Corners, Ml 49060 Tel. (616) 671-5155
CAM INTERNATIONAL presents
NINE UNFORGETTABLE DAYS IN GUATEMALA "The Land of Eternal Spring"
FOR INFORMATION, WRITE FOR A FREE BROCHURE
WHY DO I NEED A WILL?
I DON'T OWN THAT MUCH!
If you have asked this question, you should write for the free brochure, "A Will to Live ... Yes! but A Will to Die ... l''
WE COINED A TERM. • •
CAMANNUITY cam-an-nu-T-ty- a legal contract in which CAM International guarantees a lifetime income (largely tax free) to a person who transfers to CAM a specific amount of principal (i.e. cash, securities, or real estate).
For more information and current interest rates write:
Dr. Albert T. Platt
CAM International 8625 La Prada Drive
Dallas, Texas 75228
ITINERARIES MALON COLLINS June 13-July 1 PMT orientation , Guatemala ; Jul y 29-August 4 Lake Erie Conference, Erie, Pennsylvania .
BOB KILGORE June 22-August 20 PMT Summer Course, Mexico, and Central America .
DEAN LEWIS June 10 Welcome for Dr. & Mrs. William Taylor, Buford, Georgia ; 16 Toccoa, Georgia ; July 1-21 CBM camps, Elizabethton , Tennessee; 23-28 Camp Gilead, Polk City, Florida; August 5-11 Camp Amigo, Sturgis, Michigan.
MARTY PAUL June 8-August 6 PMT Summer Course, Mexico, and Central America .
ALBERT T. PLATT June 7-11 Bible Seminary of Puebla graduation , Puebla , Mexico; 17 Faith Bible Church , Dallas, Texas ; 29-July 2 Guatemala; 29-August 4 The Firs Bible and Missionary Conference , Bellingham, Washington ; August 11-17 Gull Lake Bible and Missionary Conference, Hickory Corners, Michigan .
KENNETH E. ROYER June 8-August 20 PMT Summer course, Mexico, and Central America.
DONALD C. RUTLEDGE June 22-30 Guatemala Tour (Guide) ; July 29-August 4 The Firs Bible and Missionary Conference, Bellingham, Washington ; 11-17 Gull Lake Bible and Missionary Conference, Hickory Corners, Michigan.
THE CASE OF THE
INCORRECT ADDRESSES COST CAM 25¢ PER
BULLETIN RETURNED.
PLEASE NOTIFY US OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS!
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