November 14, 2003
Dear Friends,
What is a more critical need than equipping
evangelical leaders for ministry? As Board Treasurer
of the Hispanic Center for Theological Studies
I am convinced that we are on the cutting edge
of Hispanic ministries in equipping Christian
leaders to reach their communities with the Good
News of Christ, and that with your financial
partnership we have the opportunity to remain
there. I am also convinced that as our American
cities increasingly attract people from around
the world our call as a church, committed to
world missions, is as much a call to our own
communities as it is to foreign countries.
 At
CHET, we are committed to serving a community of
individuals who have come to the United States
from throughout Latin America and who also share
our passion for extending the Kingdom of God here
and abroad. As Treasurer, I am aware of the needs,
challenges, and sacrifices made by CHET staff and
students in order to provide and receive quality
services. I am writing to encourage you to consider
these needs, challenges, and sacrifices and to
consider contributing financially to the CHET ministry
on a regular basis. Your support is not only a
real encouragement to the school, but is necessary
for the school's ongoing stability given its rapid
growth in the last 13 years (from 35 students on
1 site, to 360 + students on our main campus and
16 satellite sites; from a basic lay program to
four distinct programs with at least 51 course
offering per semester). Because the target population
of students has limited funds we are committed
to keeping our tuition and fees affordable. This
portion of income makes up less than 20% of our
$300,000 budget. Therefore, CHET must rely on your
generosity in order for it to sustain its programs
and continue equipping men and women for Kingdom
work.
My desire is that you would get to know our
students' stories, know their challenges, their
dreams and hopes, and their commitment and call
to ministry. Each student has an inspiring story,
many with difficult backgrounds and profound
calls to serving God. Let me share just one of
these stories with you, it is that of Alma and
Jose De Leon, a student couple I recently met
at CHET.
 Their
story is both inspiring and challenging to me
as I think about what it means to be a follower
of Jesus. Alma with her sister and mother came
to Southern California from the war ravaged country
of El Salvador in 1980 when she was 8. Jose,
Alma 's husband also left El Salvador for similar
reasons arriving in California in 1986 when he
was in his early 20s. Around the time of Alma
's arrival to the United States , her aunt took
Alma, her mother and sister to her Christian
church where they became believers. That was
the beginning of a new path for Alma . In 2002,
after working with and teaching youth at her
church for 8 years she began to hear a call to
do more for God. Alma said that she often wondered
and asked herself “how does God want to use me?
How can I prepare myself for ministry? What might
my ministry call look like and be?”
She felt that her journey should begin with
more biblical training. That was when she spotted
an advertisement for CHET in a Christian magazine.
Together with her husband, Jose, she visited
CHET's main campus in Bell Gardens and was given
information and a tour by Dr. Jorge Maldonado.
Immediately, they were convinced that God had
directed them to CHET. Here at CHET they are
deepening their relationship with God as He is
preparing them for His service. Alma will complete
the pre-ministerial program courses this December
and is also enrolled in ministerial classes with
the goal of evangelizing and sharing the good
news of Jesus Christ beyond the borders of the
USA .
Alma and Jose got to know each other at the
church they were attending at that time. Now
they have been married for nearly 10 years. Jose
describes himself as an encourager for Alma and
the ministerial goals she has for herself. As
a bus driver for MTA in the central Los Angeles
area, he fits in classes at CHET around his work
schedule. At present, he anticipates completing
courses in the counseling track by June 2005.
Both Alma and Jose have regular contact with
family and friends in El Salvador . They are
convinced that only God knows how these connections
will be a part of the ministry he is preparing
for Alma and Jose.
As a member of the CHET board, I'm motivated
to give prayer and financial support to this
seminary because it is preparing leaders, like
Alma and Jose, for the church of tomorrow. Won't
you consider becoming a CHET partner with me
by extending your support in this important ministry?
Won't you help us stay on the cutting edge of
Hispanic ministries in the training of Hispanic
leaders to reach their communities with the Good
News of Christ?
Sincerely,
John Barkman
Treasurer
Hispanic Center for Theological Studies |
