GOSPEL THROUGH COLOMBIA

Equipping Church leaders in Colombia to proclaim the gospel throughout Latin America

And He said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.” Ezekiel 2:1 ESV October 7, 2013 Dear Friends of GTC! By God’s mercy, the Academy is off to a great start! Besides the students who currently study and reside at the Academy, 25 pastors began to attend classes through modules in the same facilities. They will attend intensive courses for one week, four times a year. We asked the students to write to you a brief note regarding their experience during the first month. As you read their reports, please pray for them individually and consider the possibility of helping with part of their support. GTC continues to maintain a high quality educational program at very low costs. It takes only $3,500 to provide 8 months of education, room and board per student. Here, Friends, is more good news. Because of the strong academic requirements and high standards of the Academy, application has been made for Seminary status—all praise to the Lord! Now we present to you the first students studying in Medellin. Please pray for them and for the teachers.

Julian Davey Tangarife – Fresno, Colombia  Here, I already have been able to acquire important skills that I didn’t have before in regard to knowing the Word of God and studying it. From the start it has been awesome to be here. God is reforming our minds and hearts by giving us discernment and understanding of His Word. Thank you so much to everyone who has made it possible for us to be here at the Academy.

Alejandro Castiblanco – Palmira Valle, Colombia I am very grateful to be a part of this group of passionate people who are in love with God. I deeply admire the zeal for the word of God of both the directors and the teachers of the Theological Academy. In these weeks of study, I have learned so much about the goodness of God, the importance of defending the faith, the seriousness of exegetical study, the history of Scripture, how to form a healthy biblical church, and preparation for biblical exposition.

Carlos Yamid Trujillo – Bogotá, Colombia My expectation at the academy is to continue to grow and to be equipped with the right tools to better serve my local church back at home.

Jonathan Valdez – Piura, Perú I am so grateful to be here and to be able study the word of God. Dr. Kistler really knows how to explain the Word of God. I learned so much about the sovereignty of God. Pastor Juan José Perez taught us Apologetics and how to, biblically and logically, defend our faith. They really helped me to know the God of the Scriptures more deeply. We are learning how to be godly leaders of our families before we go to evangelize the world.

Michael Torres – Bogotá, Colombia These four weeks have been full of intense study, daily readings, and constant work, but they have been a huge benefit in shaping me spiritually. I really like learning from people of other parts of the country and other nations.

Juan Pablo Rivera Galvis – Bogotá, Colombia Thank you for the opportunity you have given us to study here and get the spiritual training we need. I pray God will use the Academy to help me serve my local church better. I look forward to growing in knowledge and being more and more transformed into the image of Christ for the service of our Lord.

Eduardo Fergusson – Riohacha, Colombia Theological preparation in other places is very expensive. This Academy is really a gift from God. The teachers are excellent. By knowing God better we learn to love him, not only with our minds, but with our hearts also. God provided through you all that we need—room, board, and a nice, calm place to study in one of the most beautiful mountains in Colombia. I expect to serve the Lord better with everything in me when I will go back to the church that I planted in my city. Our country really needs this kind of program. Bad theology has plagued this country. John Ardila – Bogotá, Colombia Here we have learned much about the Bible. We have all had opportunities to practice preaching in class. As students we have really been able to share and fellowship with one another as brothers in Christ. On Sundays we have experienced what a real reformed worshipping service is in the Medellin churches. I am thankful to God for you who have helped to make this Academy possible.

David Obregón – Medellín, Colombia It is only by God’s grace that I am here. I have met so many people from different parts of America. The teachers not only teach, but mentor us.   Eliasib Díaz - Sahagún Córdoba, Colombia My Pastor was the one who sent me to the Academy. He felt that 8 months of intensive studies under 16 different teachers will prepare me for a more effective and efficient ministry in the church. He was right! I am here with 20 colleagues from different parts of the world who are beautifully confronted with the doctrines of grace. What an encouragement!

Galo Callejas – Buenos Aires, Argentina Being a part of the Academy is a gift from God. It is awesome to be able to study theology and the Bible without having to pay high monthly fees. Our first two weeks of intensive study with Dr. Don Kistler and Pastor Juan Jose Perez were innovative, timely, clear, challenging and insightful. I thank those who made this training possible. To the glory of God, we will be better pastors.

Oscar Ruiz – Bogotá, Colombia The environment here on a “green pastures” farm is a great place to study and concentrate. I am happy to be a part of to this select group of students who will be preparing to serve the Lord in a more diligent and responsible way. I hope to assimilate so much here to live out what it means to be in the service of God. I also want to go back to my local church and share the knowledge I will acquire here for the edification of the saints. Johan Santana Castaño – Medellín, Colombia I want to thank the Academy for teaching me so many intensive great things in a short time. This farm on top of the mountains, surrounded by beautiful mountains and valleys, is a great place to study. Victor B. Barro Mamani – Buenos Aires, Argentina The experience of these first weeks here have been great. We had the privilege of having two highly experienced teachers with us who, masterfully, taught us proper theology and apologetics. The location of the property is excellent, especially because there are no distractions. The food has been great and the teachers have been remarkable. Thank you very much for everything.

Vader Jahir Rivera Garcés – Apartado, Colombia When I learned about the attributes of the Holy God, I saw clearly His mercy and who I am NOT. John Chinchay Rosales - Piura, Perú I give thanks to God for the opportunity to be here and prepare myself for ministry in my local church. I am impressed about the teachers who labor with the Word with fear, respect, awe and reverence.

Johnny Gomez - Bogotá, Colombia The first week with Dr. Don Kistler I lived the excitement of being under the best teacher I have ever heard regarding the Holy living God. His passion for preaching and the way he taught was amazing. I am very impressed with the knowledge of our teachers. For me this is an incomparable experience. A once in a lifetime experience!

Gustavo Herrera - Santa Marta, Colombia Being in the Academy is the best thing that has ever happened to me—a dream come true! Thanks be to my sovereign God for His grace which was given to me through His son Jesus Christ. The place where we are staying has also been a huge blessing. I am so thankful. My prayer is that God will continue to give passion to His people who are preparing those who desire to truly know the Word of God and bring a great reformation here to Colombia, with sound doctrine! Dallan Pellegrino - Medellín, Colombia To be here in the Academy is a great privilege for me. These are my first formal theological studies. I am in awe to learn about God's sovereign power and His eternal grace. It is beautiful to learn about

Him who saved me and called me to serve Him in the ministry with dignity and knowledge. GTC is, also, grateful to Pastor Francisco Escoto who will be traveling to Colombia and Panama from October 25 to November 6. He will be teaching biblical counseling in the pastoring/ mentoring programs. He will participate during the celebration of Reformation week in Medellin and Panama City. Besides receiving theological education at Charles Spurgeon Seminary, Dr. Escoto is also a medical doctor. Currently, he is a minister of The Word in El Buen Samaritano Church in Wategua, Texas, and has served in international mission fields in Haiti, Guatemala and Puerto Rico. Dr. Escoto is praying about the possibility of serving as a missionary for long periods of time in Colombia. In Christ’s love, Noé S. Acosta, Ed.D. Executive Director of GTC

To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.Eph. 4:12 ESV PO BOX 741034, ORANGE CITY, FL 32774 – PHONE: 386-868-8422 & 386-738-6898

Web: www.gospelthroughcolombia.org – E-mail: rcoleman985@gmail.com & noegtc@gmail.com