The purpose of the South Florida School of Missions is to strengthen, equip, and mature existing leadership and to train future leaders and missionaries.
Incredibly, with little promotion, the school has generated much enthusiasm! Many disciples have contacted the ministry staff in South Florida, expressing dreams to go to the mission field or return to their home countries to win souls and help their families know the Lord. For our first class session, in conjunction with the FMC, the SFCC invited Flavio and Claudia Ferreira, leaders in the church in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Christian and Luz Amestoy, leaders of the Santiago, Chile Church of Christ, and Franciso and Liz Bedoya, who have served in the full-time ministry in several Spanish-speaking churches to attend an 8 week course. Travel, food and housing have been provided to these families, as well as assistance with childcare and materials.
The curriculum began with the SFCC region leaders teaching in-depth classes in their areas of expertise. Besides the classes are the many hours being spent deepening relationships with the South Florida leadership, several of whom themselves have years of foreign missions experience. Our partnership and unity with our South American brothers is truly invaluable.
Plans for the future include monthly Saturday classes conducted in two three-hour segments. In addition, special guest teachers will be invited to give classes at different times throughout the year. Foster Stanback and Jaime DeAnda have already committed to teach in 2009, along with the staff of the SFCC. We hope to bring back Dr. John Oakes in 2010 as his class in February was one of the highlights of the curriculum.
Disciples across the western hemisphere are inspired and thankful knowing that a conduit is being set up that will invigorate the mission dream.
For more information, you can go to the website: http://sflschoolofmissions.com
