The Latin America Regional Training Hub of United World Mission recently organized two significant events in Medellin, Colombia, where 25 leaders from 7 Latin American countries (Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Uruguay, and Argentina) participated. The events included a Consultation on Spiritual Formation in Latin America and a retreat focused on developing spiritual mentoring groups in collaboration with Leighton Ford Ministries.
The consultation aimed to bring together leaders from throughout Latin America who are already involved in spiritually formative ministries, to learn from each other, and to consider together the needs that exist throughout Latin America in three specific areas: research, training, and experiences. We had a wonderful mix of participants, from local pastors to student ministry leaders, to academics, including Argentinian historian, scholar, and author, Eduardo Tantángelo, Douglas Fernandez, Chaplain from the Clínica Biblica in Costa Rica, Martha Rincon from the Seminario Bíblico de Colombia and many others.
After the consultation, we moved to a time of retreat, in which we participated together in a type of “modeled” mentoring retreat, focusing on practical qualities necessary to accompany others in their walks with Christ. During this time, we observed a clear desire to grow deeper with the Lord Jesus and to share this with others in their contexts. As we reflected on the week, we heard many expressions of thankfulness for a time that was spiritually renewing, rest imparting, and that drew each of us deeper with the Lord and each other.
-Participating Student
Although there was a deep respect for good theological training and skill development, a strong emphasis was placed on the importance of a leader’s character in Christ: qualities such as being well-rooted in Christ, living in integrity, ministering from the inside out, and being word-centered, team players, and people who prioritize their walks with Christ as exhibited in taking time for Sabbath and an awareness of their interior life.
After the consultation, we moved to a time of retreat, in which we participated together in a type of “modeled” mentoring retreat, focusing on practical qualities necessary to accompany others in their walks with Christ. During this time, we observed a clear desire to grow deeper with the Lord Jesus and to share this with others in their contexts. As we reflected on the week, we heard many expressions of thankfulness for a time that was spiritually renewing, rest imparting, and that drew each of us deeper with the Lord and each other. There was much prayerful reflection on how to effectivity share what was learned in each ministry context.
United World Mission is a faithful partner of The Bolick Foundation.