Hispanic Focus: Bible institutes celebrate milestones
Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 12:11PM This year has been an interesting year for the Centro de Capacitación Bíblica (CECABI) and the Instituto Teológico Bautista de Arkansas (ITBA), according to the directors of the Hispanic Bible institutes that serve Hispanic Baptists in Arkansas.
CECABI was established by the Northwest Baptist Association in partnership with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC). Daniel Cerda is the CECABI director.
Francisco Gómez, who serves on the ABSC missions ministries team, also directs ITBA.
These biblical training centers are designed to provide Christian leadership training. Their objective is to effectively prepare students with the knowledge and the practical skills for the work of the ministry in the local church.
The centers focus on training leaders to be Christ-like. They educate, enable, motivate, disciple and exhort the Christians with the goal to reproduce a permanent leadership to minister in the church of Jesus Christ.
Three students who graduated from ITBA in Little Rock May 14 are now serving in pastoral roles.
The first CECABI graduation was held at the Primera Iglesia Bautista in Fort Smith Sept. 25. Seven students – representing seven churches – obtained their certificate in biblical studies.
Robby Tingle, ABSC missions ministries leader, preached the graduation sermon for the occasion and challenged and encouraged students to be servant leaders based on the example of Jesus when He washed the disciples’ feet.
CECABI and ITBA are sponsored with gifts given through the Dixie Jackson Arkansas Missions Offering.
More information about these ministries is available at www.absc.org/ministries/hispanic-ministry.html and www.nwbaptist.net.