New Semester Begins

The Fall Semester of our Juan de Frías, Theological Training Program started off with a flurry of new courses and activities the second week of September that has kept us in constant movement since we returned to Caracas last month. We are spending one week a month in Ciudad Guayana teaching five different courses for our students in the four Lutheran Congregations in Estado Bolivar. Another weekend every month is spent in teaching courses Maturín in Estado Monagas and the rest of our time is dedicated to classes with theological students in Caracas and in Maracay, 110 kilometers to the west of Caracas.

Ricardo Granado the current director of our Theological Education by Extension Institute has been pushing for an accelerated program for six of our theological students. Seeing the need for filling the vacancies that exist in our Lutheran congregations in Caracas and Western Venezuela, Ricardo has been anxious to get the accelerated program off the ground as soon as possible. The accelerated program was launched on October 2nd in a special service in La Fortaleza Lutheran Congregation in Maracay. Currently we have the students enrolled in the accelerated program housed in quarters of the still unfinished church building project in Maracay. Twice this past week they have had to put up with very heavy rains that have worked their way through leaks in the roof and soaked their bedding. Pastor Ted Krey will be responsible for half of their course work and I for the other half. We would like to ask our readers to keep all of our theological students in Venezuela in your prayers – that despite the less than adequate housing facilities and financial difficulties, they might be guided in their studies and in their dedication to the Lord and his Church.