Training Christian leaders right where they’ll serve means churches are assured of pastors, evangelists, church planters, and ministry leaders who are equipped for their own contexts. reSource partners with local Bible colleges that are doing this work of training future Christian leaders who learn how to study the Bible, communicate the gospel well, serve pastorally, and address contextual challenges unique to where they are. reSource’s student sponsorship program connects Canadian Christians with a future Christian leader who is training for ministry where financial resources are scarce.
We’re pleased to introduce you to one such Christian leader: Álvaro Iglesias from Colombia.
Hi! My name is Álvaro Iglesias.
School: Biblical Seminary of Colombia (known by its Spanish acronym, FUSBC)
Degree: Master of Biblical Interpretation
Nationality: Colombian
Can you share a bit of your background with us?
I was born in Montería, Colombia. Due to financial hardships, my mother moved to Bogotá for work, leaving me with my grandmother, a hardworking peasant woman. Despite our poverty, my grandmother found Jesus and began attending house services, vigils, and evangelistic campaigns, which sparked a deep and meaningful faith that sustained us. Every service, I was by her side, growing in my understanding of God.
After I married, my grandmother passed away. She left me no material possessions but a profound legacy of faith in Jesus Christ. I excelled in school and began studying Pure Physics at university. However, I had to drop out due to financial constraints and started working in the food distribution industry. During this time, my relationship with God was distant, but everything changed when my wife Erica and I faced a devastating trial.
Can you tell us about that trial?
Our first child, Samuel Elias, was born with severe health problems, and we spent 19 months basically living in the hospital until he passed away. This experience profoundly transformed us. After questioning God, we learned to love and serve Him with dedication. We were appointed pastors, serving for three years, which brought us growth and learning. Today, God has blessed us with two healthy children, Álvaro Elías and Loren Sofía, who have brought joy to our 12 years of marriage.
When did you decide you needed seminary training?
I had the opportunity to visit several rural areas with many theological limitations and great opportunities to teach. The call that God has for me is to shepherd and train pastors and leaders without saving anything, without selfishness, to provide these communities with tools of preaching and church administration. The seminary is the best place to achieve that so I can serve the rural regions.
Álvaro, pictured in the back, at a pastoral training program in Medellín called ‘Transformational Preaching’ that was sponsored by Langham Preaching.
Give an example of how your training has equipped you to be more effective in ministry.
It allows me to teach the Bible in a way, I believe, that makes people fall in love with it. The training has undoubtedly allowed for better understanding and sharing of the Bible.
How do you share your training with people who do not have access to it?
I have meetings with rural pastors. It really is something that connects me a lot. It gives me enormous joy. I would like to do it more often if I could.
Finishing a focus group in Tierralta, Córdob on how to study the Bible.
How important is student sponsorship to completing your training?
Absolutely important and fundamental. It is a great help that I value very much, and I thank the Lord for you.
Can you share with us about your ministry?
The main pastor of the church where I serve is from an older generation and we have found that it is easier for me to connect to and relate with our church’s younger people. Further, the preaching and special teaching I’ve done has been part of restoring marriages, bringing Christian living to areas of sin in people’s lives, and caring for people with mental health challenges. I also visit companies in the city every week where I lead Biblical reflection on Jesus as saviour, the relationship between work and faith, and the transformation of the family.
How can we pray for you?
– For stability in the ministry
– I praise the name of God for allowing me to study for a master’s degree
There are many leaders like Álvaro who long for further training. Would you like to get involved? Here are some ways:
- Donate securely online to reSource Leadership International: resourceleadership.com/donate
- Reply to this email to begin sponsoring a future Christian leader (about $170/month or $2000/year)
- Pray for our partner colleges
- Forward this email to someone who is interested in the global Church.
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