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H  I  S  P  A  N  I  C      C  H  R  I  S  T  I  A  N      M  I  N  I  S  T  R  Y   
A Ministry of Covenant Reformed Church of Toronto in Partnership with
Faith United Reformed Church of West Olive, Michigan

HCM Trip Report – Guatemala / El Salvador / Miami – January 7-22, 2009

This was a 3-point trip for teaching in Guatemala and El Salvador, concluded with meetings in Miami with the Joint Venture committee of Revs. Neal Hegeman, Allen Vander Pol and myself. The existing MINTS Centres are experiencing growth, and in some cases multiplying into new areas. Soli Deo Gloria!!!

Guatemala Visit

John Calvin Seminary in Quetzaltenango is celebrating the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin. Last year I participated in their year-long celebrations with a course on the Doctrines of Grace. On this visit I taught my recently completed course on the book of Philippians in two centres. While there they informed me about the expansion of their seminary into two new communities. In addition to students studying at a diploma level, they currently have 40 students studying in the Bachelors program offered by MINTS. What a joy to see their enthusiasm to train leaders! I had the privilege of reviewing and grading 56 term papers during my visit with them. It is encouraging to see the improving quality of the work being done in academics and in practical ministry. Plans are for me to teach “World View” in July as part of their Calvin Anniversary Year.

El Salvador Visit

I continue to groom José Jesús Ramirez, a Masters graduate student from Toronto, who is raising funds to be able to return to his home country in El Salvador to serve as the MINTS Country Coordinator. We stayed at the humble home of his in-laws of in a village near the northern Guatemalan border during the 10 days of my trip. He preceded me by a few days to set things up and stayed on a few days longer to wrap things up there. We currently have fifty El Salvador students studying with MINTS. Highlights are as follows:

Graduation in Calchuapa Graduations are always the most exciting part of MINTS. Two students who had been studying on our online program of study graduated with their Bachelor of Theology degree. What a joy to see the participation of community dignitaries and other church leaders in this momentous occasion.

Followup on Established Centres We had an opportunity to follow up on four Centres who were struggling to stay focused on their plans. Our visit served as an opportunity for these Centres to get back on track and re-focus their efforts.

Two New Centres We had the privilege of introducing MINTS to two new groups of students, one of which will have 20 students studying, and another which plans to have 8 students studying. José Jesús and I co-taught the introductory Hermeneutics course in these Centres which were enthusiastic about the plans.

Financial Update

Last year was a challenging year with several very lean months. My committee sent out some promotional materials regarding our situation, and the Lord has responded through you with a year-end surplus and several months of funds in our account to start out the new year. I am thankful to the Lord and to each of you as churches and individuals who continue to make this ministry possible from year to year.

Rev. Eric Pennings,
Missionary, Covenant Reformed Church of Toronto
Miami International Seminary (MINTS) Central America Regional Coordinator