SUMMER 1979

SUMMER

CONTENTS 3 HOW DID THE SEMINARY AS

SUCH GET STARTED? CAMers Nunez and Sywulka chat about root and fruit at Central American Theological Seminary.

6 TO TEACH OTHERS ALSO And speaking of fruit, it seems almost instantaneous. Doing is, indeed, a vital part of learning.

8 50 CANDLES Fifty years old. Now that does demand a celebration. Graduates, former students, and friends came from all over to enjoy the festivities.

10 QUO VADIS No pretense at being the son of a prophet, still , Stan Orth does look ahead for CATS.

12 NOTEWORTHY Music hath charms! It doth, indeed. but some is more charming than other. Phil Blycker reflects on the music scene in his part of Latin America.

16 INTERCAM

18 BULLETIN BOARD

1979

PLATTFORM "To teach others also" ... im­

portant, but only part of the

verse.* "Commit to faithful men"

... pivotal. Much hangs or falls at this point. But the really basic,

the sine qua non, in all of this

comes at the beginning, "That

thou hast heard of me." If the

source is not sound, neither the

methodology nor the super­

qualified personnel will suffice.

CAM begins with an inerrant, authoritative Book, God's revelation of what He wants us to·

know about Himself and His

creation.

'II Tim. 2:2

PHOTOS by Jerry Laursen, pages 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11; Paul Sywulka, page 3, Harry Larson, page 10.

8625 LA PRADA DRIVE, DALLAS, TEXAS 75228 • 39 MARGATE AVENUE, HAMILTON, ONTARIO, CANADA L8T 1M7 FOUNDED IN 1890 BY C. I. SCOFIELD AS THE CENTRAL AMERICAN MISSION

BULLETIN STAFF: Albert T. Platt , Editor; Carolyn Owens, Editorial Assistant; Jeane Olson, Art Editor. Regional Editors: Jack D. Matlick, Mexico ; Stephen Sywulka , Central America ; Peggy Foskett , Spain .

CAM Bulletin (USPS 096460) is published quarterly by CAM International , 8625 La Prada Drive, Dallas, TX 75228. Second­class postage paid at Dallas, Texas . POSTMASTER: Send address changes to CAM Bulletin, 8625 La Prada Drive, Dallas, TX 75228. Copyright® 1979 by CAM International. No. 468 .

MEMBER~ EVANGELICAL PRESS ASSOCIATION • MEMBER INTERDENOMINATIONAL FOREIGN MISSION ASSOCIATION

Sywulka: We 're celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Seminary, but, of course, when it began in 1929 it was the Central American Bible Institute.

Ho"Wdidthe Se•••inary as

sueh get started?

Dr. Emilio Antonio NUiiez

Nunez: The Seminary program opened its doors for the

first time in 1966. We began with five students. For years

we had been seeing the need for training on a higher academic level. The church in Latin America has not only

been growing numerically, but also coming up socio­

economically. At the same time, our countries are going through a period of sudden and profound changes. This calls for a better -prepared leadership for the demands of

the present time. Also, as Christian young people began

to get more education , some of them studying in the universities, it was natural to expect that they would look

for a theological institution that would respond to their

academic as pi rations. When we first talked about founding a seminary, some

of the brethren didn't give us much encouragement. But

I think time has justified our decision. This year we have

132 students from 16 countries enrolled in the Seminary. We've been operating for 13 years, and all of our

graduates are active in some form of ministry- as

pastors, evangelists, teachers, counselors, administrators .

Sywulka: What is the Seminary's function on the Latin

American evangelical scene today?

Nunez: There are two things we are trying to accomplish. First, pastoral training. The church is growing

very fast numerically, but it tends to lack systematic instruction in the Word. We place a strong emphasis on the authority of Scripture and upon its analysis and

exposition . The contribution offered in this area by our graduates will undoubtedly help enrich the teaching ministry of the church as a whole .

3

Second, there is the area of theology. The current theological scene is very complex, and it is going to get worse . All kinds of currents are flowing. We need to

raise up a leadership which is deeply rooted in the Word

of God.

We try to make our students aware of those different

currents. Liberation Theology, for example, attracts thinking people, those people who are disturbed by the

system of under-development in which we live and the poverty, and sincerely want the liberation of our peoples.

But the problem with this thinking is that it moves from society to theology, rather than the reverse. Sociological

analysis is more important to them than the biblical text . At the same time, we try to show the need for

contextuali zation.

Sywulka: Contextualization?

Nunez: This means studying the text , using the standard

hermeneutical norms, but then going on to ask ourselves how we can apply the principles of the Word of God to our culture.

It also means being aware that the gospel has come to us in cultural clothing . If you look at our hymnbook, for example, most of the songs are translated from English .

Our forms of worship, even our church structures, have largel y been inherited from the pioneer North American missionaries.

We need the incarnation of the gospel in our own culture. It is time for men to rise up from among us, gifted by the Holy Spirit , to express theologically the

unchanging truths of the Word of God in our beautiful Span ish language, taking into account our particular American-Latin heritage.

4

Dr. Ste phe n Sywul ka inte rviewi ng Dr. NUiiez

Sywulka: Where does this leave the missionary? Nunez: What I am expressing is not an " anti-Yankee"

feeling . The missionary-if he is culturally conscious-can

be a valuable element. As a foreigner, he may even have

better insight into our culture in some respects than we

do. Nor is it to say that our Latin American culture is

pure, simply because it is Latin . We do not despise the

foreign theological literature, which is a gift of God to all His people . But we want to see the Latin American

church have its own biblical theological expression which

will contribute to the treasure of universal Christian knowledge . There is ample room for Latin American

theologians, whom the Seminary should at least start on the road toward serious biblical thinking.

Sywulka: What do you see in the future for the Seminary?

Nunez: Our opportunities for ministry are constantly

expanding. Over 90 are coming to our Monday pastors' class, half of them from other denominations. Here we

are in a city of 1,250,000 people, with more than 250

evangelical churches . There are many people who want

to study. The night school program, both Seminary and

Bible Institute, alone would be enough to justify our

existence . And we ' re getting letters all the time from

prospective students all over Latin America, Spain, and the U.S.

We need to consider seriously an extension program on the Seminary level. The churches have been asking

for this. We would like to start a summer-school program

during our vacation period , November to january, for university students and professors, school teachers, and others who need grounding in the Word .

And we want to increase and upgrade our Latin American faculty .

Sywulka: The faculty is about half Latin American now, right?

Nunez: We have seven full-time Latin professors, plus several part-time, and nine North Americans. Historically,

the evangelical church here has tended to come from the lower, uneducated classes. To some extent, we have to grow our own staff. We have the licentiate or Master's

program, of course, which should produce its first graduates this year. Three of our Latin faculty are in this program. And several of our graduates are going on for further study in other institutions. We hope to have two men begin programs this fall in the U.S. with scholarships provided by the Seminary.

1\.at Sy~ulka: They ~ill eventually return to teach here? F Nunez: They will have an obligation to return for a

certain period as is the case with scholarships provided by the OAS and governments.

Sywulka: How are these scholarships funded?

Nunez: We depend on the Lord. He provides through interested individuals just as He does for other aspects of the Seminary's operation. Besides the scholarships, of course, there is the need for adequate salaries for our non-missionary faculty members.

I would like to add that we are not going to take someone just because he is a Latin American. In fact, I wouldn't want to see only Latin Americans here . I'd like to have an Asian and an African working alongside the Latin Americans and North Americans on the faculty, because of the perspective they could give us on the whole body of Christ. But we are continually looking for qualified Latin Americans.

EXPENDITURES 1979

Administrative and Teaching Personnel of the Seminary

INCOME

Philip W. Blycker, M. Music Ed.- Director of Music

Daniel Cabrera, Prof. Th. - Dean of Men

Esther Lopez de Cotjas, M.A. - Professor of Christian

Education Evis L. Carballosa, Th.M., Ph.D. - Rector

Edgar Contreras, Prof. Th. - Professor of Theology Gerald A. Laursen, Th.D.- Professor of New Testament A. Julian Lloret, Th.D. - Professor of Evangelism and

Missions

Oscar Lopez, Th.M. - Professor of Homiletics Paul D. Lowery, Th.D. -Director of Department of

Biblical Literature

Froilan Mazariegos - Business Manager Dorothy McCullough, M.A. - Dean of Women Guillermo Mendez, Prof. Th.- Instructor in Theology

David R. Mendieta, M.A.- Professor of Christian Ministries

Emilio Antonio Nunez, Th.D. - Professor of Theology

John H. Or me, Th.D.- Director of Department of Theology

Stanford Orth, Th.D. - Vice-Rector Homer C. Parry, B.A. - Supervisor of Construction

Maximo Perez, Prof. Th.- Director of Admissions Cornelio Rivera, Th.M.- Professor of Old Testament C. Ted Smith, Th.M.- Administrator of Extension Paul E. Sywulka, Th.M. - Academic Dean William D. Taylor, Th.M., Ph.D.- Director of Department

of Christian Ministry

Wray Ellen Ward, B.A. - Registrar Gary R. Williams, Th.M. - Professor of Bible and Theology

5

The divine, eternal Word, given to us to communicate. As a seed it is planted, germinates, takes

invisible root, grows, flowers, and produces fruit.

God has given us at the Seminary superb opportuni­

ties to communicate this Word in a great variety of situations, both in

evangelism and edification.

By Dr. William D. Taylor

Sandra Alvarez, in her first

year of study, comes from the Dominican Republic.

She and Sarita Villatoro, a second year Guatemalan,

have started pouring themselves into,the lives of

children supervised by

eae Orpha Gonzales, a fourth

year Guatemalan. But their job is not only to win and teach children ; their major

task is to train young

couples in this church to

take over their job. The Word to children .

Julio Arias with co-teacher, Orfa Gonzalez

Hermes del Saito, a second year Ecuadorian, not

only teaches children, but belongs to a hospital

visitation team that ministers

the Word to a wealthier

class of people. Two other teams visit the pediatric

ward of a major government hospital each week. The Word to the worried and ill.

Alberto Roldan, a special student from Argentina,

comes to the Seminary with

experience already in teaching at a Bible institute

in his homeland. Here in

Guatemala he and his wife

have teamed up to teach

the Scripture in a large

capital city church which he

co-pastors. Teamwork, and

the Word molds a local

church.

Alberro Roldan and wife

Dr. Stanford Orth, Vice­President, by his own life

sets an example. A gifted administrator and teacher,

his quiet ministry both at the Seminary and a local

church makes its impact as the Word reaches out and

touches hurting people with specific applications to twentieth-century living in Latin America.

ers Professor Gary Williams,

with three years of

experience teaching in the

CAM Seminary in Puebla, is

a Wheaton College, Dallas

Seminary grad with a heart

for people. Whether

teaching students in the Seminary, or home Bible

classes, or as in this picture,

teaching a workshop during

the Anniversary week, Gary

is a man who communicates

the Word, wherever.

Gary Williams

GRADUATES: One of the most recent

graduates, Jeremiah Aguilar, now pastors a blue-collar

congregation in a suburb of

Guatemala City. He is a

young man who has grown

tremendously in his

knowledge and use of the

Word, and with his wife

Elsa, also a grad, feeds his

flock from the Word.

Daniel Urena hails from

the Dominican Republic,

where he has returned to pastor a church , alongside

his wife Elizabeth, a Costa

Rican grad of the Seminary.

Alejandro Montes, a Peruvian, has been called by

the Christian and Missionary

Alliance in Texas, where he

ministers to a Spanish­

speaking church. The Word

in His churches.

0 Dina Saldivar de Escobar,

a Mexican, now works

alongside her Salvadoran

husband in national youth discipleship in El Salvador.

An author of two books, she

also works full time with

World Vision in a ministry

to children. The Word to

youth, in the printed page, and to children.

~ Guillermo Me ndez

Guillermo Mendez, a grad

of last year, not only is on

the staff of the Seminary,

but also has developed and directs the Seminary radio

program. Lord willing, he, with his wife Beatriz, will be

continuing his studies this fall at Dallas Theological Seminary. The Word, in class and on the invisible

sound waves.

Daniel Figueroa, a Salvadoran, now pastors a

church in Tarragona, Spain . His winsome spirit , powerful

teaching, and discipleship

ministry, make him an

unusual man of God. The

Word, with a man baptizing

in the Mediterranean.

Salomon Rodriguez, is now back in his beloved

Colombia. Having studied at the Seminary for four years,

he was graduated in 1976. His maturity, gifts, and love for people have equipped

him to pastor a large church . The Word, in South America, to God's people.

Sa lomon Rodriguez

7

Below, 1he Rev . Rene Zapala, Direclor of Ediciones las Americas

in Mexico . gave a challenging series on Christian leadership.

The Rev. Eliseo Hernandez. distinguished alumnus and pastor

of 1he Cenual Church in San Salvador. brings the message in one of the evening

meelings held in 1he Nazarelh Church near the Seminary.

Workshops were offered for slUdeniS and alumni on topics of contemporary interests. Esther LOpez Cajas leads one

on the role of the Christian woman.

live demonstra tion by veteran translator

Ed Sywulka and his Mam informant,

Gonza lo Lopez, along Nith copies of modern

and ancie nt Spanish Bibles and authentic

pages from historic editions in several

languages.

8

1929

Nearly 300 alumni joined with the current student body, staff, and other friends to celebrate 50 years of God 's faithfulness to the Central American Theological Seminary, February 5-9, 1979. From its humble beginning in 1929 as the Central American Bible Institute, with nine students in borrowed facilities, the Seminary has grown to become one of the outstanding institutions of biblical and theological learning in the Spanish-speaking world . Current enrollment is 132, plus 240 students in the Evening Bible Inst itute and 90 in classes for pastors.

The fo ur days of ce lebration are climaxed with the observance of the lord 's Supper in the new chapel.

By Dr. Stephen Sywulka

Th e celebra tion was high­lighted by the dedication

of the new chapel. Rev. Malon Col lins offers the

dedicatory prayer. accompanied by Rev.

Haro ld Van Broekhoven , Dr. Antonio NUnez. Mr. Homer

Parry, and Or. Albert T. Platt.

The stud ent " Doxology Group ," directed by Phil Blycker,

brings specia l music.

Sem inary and chu rc h leaders dedicate the institution anew to God as Mrs. Gladys_ Plan sings .

A historical exhibit with photos and mementos of the past years drew a steady stream of visitors.

9

0

CAM bookstore

10

By Dr. Stanford Orth

Dr. Evis Ca rballosa

It is both human and biblical to ask, "Where do we go from here? " Faculty, students, friends, and Mission leaders are asking the question. Those of us who have a part in the ministry of the Central American Theological Seminary are not prophets. And we are very conscious of James's counsel that "you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow ... you ought to say, ' If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or that' " (James 4:14-15 NASB).

But we do dream and we do plan and we share with you now the thoughts and projections which are surfacing in our conversations and planning meetings. ACADEMIC PROGRAMS There are two strong currents running side by side in the Seminary's academic projections. One is the conviction that the quality of our biblical preparation must continue to improve. This means a well prepared faculty, and quality content and methodology. But is also requires that students who enter the programs demonstrate quality preparation, Christian experience, and personal goals. In recent years the admissions process has been more selective and the annual evaluation of each student's academic, spiritual, and ministerial growth has been more severe. The results are encouraging.

ENROLLMENT PATTERNS 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979

Seminary 72 87 101 109 100 (day)

Seminary 33 31 38 32 32 (night)

Bible Institute 160 184 235 213 240 (night)

Pastors' Classes 45 50 55 70 90 (Monday)

The other current calls for creative efforts to meet the crying needs of special groups. In Latin America, night classes are in vogue. At this moment 277 are studying in our night programs. Expansion of curriculum and opportunities for completing programs at night are essential for those who are already in ministries, studies, or professions during the day.

In our vacation months the faculty, dorms, and classrooms can meet the need of professionals, public school teachers, and pastors who can devote time to intensive study in the Word of God. Carlos is a high school teacher in a neighboring country. He is a leader and Sunday School

teacher in his church, and is working to lead his colleagues in his school to the Lord. He has time on his hands when vacation comes, and he wants to study the Word . He has thought of serving the Lord in the pastorate in the future. The spiritual dividends of Carlos's life and service will begin immediately when he can study the Word of God in the vacation period.

Christian workers in the Guatemala City area, many with minimal preparation, are sensing their need of more training to expound the Word and to understand the present theological trends in the light of the Scriptures. They are flocking to non-credit studies offered to them now on a weekly basis (90 pastors this semester). We are being asked to formalize a program of study for them and also to extend this opportunity to other areas of the country. The ministry of imparting vision, stimulus, new skills, and knowledge of the Scriptures to leaders already in key places of ministry can revolutionize the work of the Lord . PERSONNEL AND LIBRARY One change is imminent. In June, Dr. Nunez, after 13 years as Rector, will fulfill his wish to dedicate more time to teaching and writing. Dr. Evis Carballosa will take the position, bringing with him the perspective of a varied and successful ministry as university teacher, founder and director of a Bible institute, conference speaker in Europe, the United States, and Latin America, and author of several books.

The need of additional Latin American faculty is high on the agenda (see the interview with Dr. Nunez on page 3) . This represents a strategic and essential move in missions today, but also a substantial economic hurdle. Missionary personnel come to the Seminary with their own personal support. Each non-missionary member of the faculty requires an increase of about $6,000 in the budget of the institution, a " bargain " in missions but a serious barrier to latinization.

$111,900

GROWTH OF ANNUAL BUDGET 1975-1979

$124,000 $132,000 $173,650 $216,900

Another "faculty member" is the library which has grown from 5,000 to 9,000 volumes in five years. Now, each year 750 books should be added, at a cost of about $3,000. This is the least expensive, and one of the most necessary of our " teachers" in a graduate level program that requires much

student research . CAMPUS Our team has a " people" mentality, and is not facilities oriented . God has supplied buildings that at this moment are adequate and we are very thankful. However, we do not want to be caught napping in the near future when our student body (now 460 from 16 countries) bursts the seams. CAM International , with its farsighted desire that any future construction be carried out wisely, is now studying the recommendations for a master plan made by the architects and engineers of Missionary Tech Team (Longview, Texas). OUTREACH There is no way to hold the " lid " on the limitless dynamic of such a large group of keenly committed Christians. The result? Ministry multiplies! It is impossible to measure the impact on the churches and on the people our students and faculty touch in Guatemala City alone.

In the future we want students and faculty to be more involved in planting new churches in and near the city. Ciudad San Cristobal and La Colonia Cuatro de Febrero are two new areas at opposite ends of the socio-economic spectrum. They are an immediate challenge and they illustrate an endless task of sowing new congregations in this urban center of more than one million .

Finally, the Seminary aspires, through faculty, graduates and publications, to help shape the theological environment of the Church in the Spanish-speaking world. Recently, three books by faculty members Edgar Contreras and Antonio Nunez were published in one month. That is a record that will not soon be matched . In the accompanying photograph you can see the beginning of a very effective ministry in writing.

There will be other changes and, with the Lord 's blessing, other major steps to meet the needs of the Spanish-speaking world. This world is changing so rapidly that our visions of ten yea rs ago do not match the reality of today. Another 50 years of ministry, if the Lord tarries, will bring challenges and changes that we do not dream of today. On the Seminary's 50th birthday, members of its board, faculty, student body, and alumni stood together before several hundred guests to pledge, under God, that this institution would continue to serve Him humbly and biblically, guarding and proclaiming the truths of the inerrant Scriptures in the years ahead. Growth and accomplishments that we plan now will come to pass as God supplies Spirit-controlled men, consecrated ~·~ pO f d d f d f h k -J!!!!!; · un s, an in inite wis om or t e tas . ""' ·

11

12

Music, music everywhere, and not a pause to think! (with apologies to some ancient mariner). With

music on AM and FM radio, VHF and UHF television,

records and tapes (not to mention live performances),

we are being bombarded with instrumental and vocal

music from soup to nuts from dawn to dusk. We have

music to drive to school and work with, to cook and clean with, to dine and shop with. Hitler used music to

encourage his troops and to demoralize the enemy. Nobody can doubt the power of music.

We Christians have music to comfort and to

encourage us, to admonish and to teach us; we also use

music to worship God, to evangelize non-Christians, and

to exhort lukewarm believers to walk in the Spirit. God

has given mankind the gift of music not to keep us from

getting bored but to glorify His holy name. However, I believe that the Lord would have us pass some time each

day in silence to help us clear our minds and to meditate

on Him and His Word.

God has given mankind the gift of musie, not to keep us from getting bored, but to glorify Dis holy name.

There is a sacred song entitled, " Life Is a Symphony,"

God being the conductor of the orchestra and His

children being the instruments. Who ever heard of a symphony without some rests? Some are longer than

others, but nevertheless, some spaces of silence are

quite essential; without them the musical sounds would

lose their effect. Having been a band director, music teacher,

symphony musician, and a minister of music in several churches in the U.S.A., my last ten years of service with

By Philip Blycker

CAM International in Guatemala have been both

rewarding and enlightening. The typical student at the Central American Theological Seminary in Guatemala

City does not walk around with a transistor radio glued

to his ear, but he may quite often be seen plucking and strumming his guitar for his own enjoyment and also

getting ready for his next youth group encounter.

We reeognize the importanee of aehieving a "good" Latin Ameriean sound in our ehoral musie.

Some questions that arise are: How much of the

regional folk music performed on the marimba will affect his playing? How much of the " Anglo" music that

he has been exposed to in the evangelical church will

play a part in his special arrangement on the guitar? Will there be any noticeable effects of the latest hits from the States in his interpretation? Will he forget his national

heritage (Mexican, Guatemalan, Ecuadorian, Spanish) as he rehearses for his upcoming performance on the

weekend? Is music really a universal language? We have found in our instrumental teaching (band

and keyboard instruments) that if the Latin American student has had little or no musical background, the main keys to his progress will be his intelligence and his

motivation. In other words, there is no basic difference between " us" and "them." Those students that have

been exposed to music in their hometowns, or whose

parents have encouraged them to participate and to excel , will usually do very well when they enroll in the

Seminary music program. An Indian who has had the

same or similar education as a Ladino, and who has devoted himself in a similar manner to developing his

13

musical skills, will, in fact, sound similar. At the Central American Theological Seminary, we

have come to the place where we recognize the importance of achieving a "good" Latin American sound in our choral group. Yes, we do sing some excellent classical choir music in our programs. No, we do not sing South American nightclub tunes in the churches and schools on our itineraries. How are we guided in our selection of a suitable choral presentation?

14

The content of the words or message is paramount. Some numbers are translations of good solid hymns. Although we are continually encountering new material, we do not feel that we can reject the best of the past. A

variation of this plan is to use the words of a Watts or Wesley hymn and set it to new music; this is exciting because the sounds are fresh, and the fine poems of past

generations are preserved. We like to use contemporary tunes with new words,

also. Sometimes these are located in published form here in Central America. More often than not, we have to make a translation of the words, write for permission to use the music along with "dittoed" copies for the choir

and accompanists, and then proceed to incorporate our guitars to suit our own tastes. I may make suggestions, but I always leave the working out of the rhythmic patterns to the leader of the guitarists, who in turn irons out the individual problems which sometimes crop up.

The young people have enjoyed using the triangle, finger cymbals, maracas, and tambourine in one or two numbers during a concert. The audience enjoys the change of pace, and these rhythm instruments enhance the message of praise.

The eontents of the words or message is paramount.

This past school year, for use with the Seminary choir, I composed new music to Frances Havergal's fine hymn of dedication, "Take My Life." One guitar plucking harmony and one flute playing melody provided a simple, but lovely introduction, after which the choir entered with three additional guitars and the piano joining in. One joyous hymn of adoration of Jesus Christ

e

the King incorporated three trumpets which enhanced the arrangement with their brilliance.

In most of our concert presentations we used a

Mexican melody and a centuries-old Spanish poem

which depicts the crucifixion . Our sound man, a

Panamanian student named Milton, played the claves, which, along with the guitars and the keyboard, brought

out the syncopated rhythm as the harmony changed

back and forth from minor to major mode. Many people

were deeply moved by that number, because they could

identify with both the music and the need for Christians

to lead a consecrated life in light of the Lord's love for us.

Some people have wondered about the possibility of using the marimba in the serviee of the Lord.

We often ended our programs with an arrangement of

" Stand Up for jesus," which began with a snare drum

solo by Milton, joined by a martial trumpet call. The

eight male singers sang the first stanza, the eight girls the second with a different tune, and so it went on to a

dynamic and climactic finish .

Some people have wondered about the possibility of using the national instrument of Guatemala, the

marimba, in the service of the Lord. This instrument,

which appears to have come to the " Land of Eternal

Springtime" from either Africa or Southeast Asia1

(although many Guatemalans insist it originated with

their own Indians) , is commonly thought of as an

instrument of the cantina or tavern . However, the marimba is not only played at fiestas, but also at important cultural events. Some Christians have rejected

it because they themselves played the marimba at wild parties before Christ saved them. Other Christians who

don't have that background have performed on the marimba at church services in Guatemala without any

problem. Perhaps the fact that the words " Dios Es Amor" (God Is Love) were painted on the front of the marimba made a difference!

As an instrument for entertainment, the marimba is

1 Che noweth , Vid a. The M arimbas of Guatemala, Univers ity of Ke ntucky Press, 1964.

played by seven men on two good-sized instruments,

accompanied by a drum set and a string bass. I have

never seen this " marimba orchestra" used in a Christian setting.

Guatemala does not possess an especially rich musical

heritage. Some ethnomusicologists have made studies of

the melodies employed by certain Indian tribes; others

have studied the various pre-Columbian instruments

used, like the tun (slit drum), the tzijolaj (primitive Indian flute), tzicahuzatli (deer or tapir bones for scraping

effects), chinchin (maracas made from dried gourds), and ayot/ (turtle shell) for tapping out rhythms. Among the

ancient musical' instruments previously mentioned, only

the tzijolaj played a part in the religious life of the Mayan Indians. This three-holed flute was used in both

Guatemala and Southern Mexico in their liturgy to help elevate the prayers of the worshipers.2

Nowadays, to the casual observer, only two

instruments are usually seen being played by Indians,

often on the steps of Roman Catholic churches. They are the drum, not the wooden tun but a more modern

variety with skin stretched over the end to produce the

sound, and also the chirimia which is a woodwind

instrument about 16 inches in length. It has a double

reed mouthpiece like the modern bassoon and an extremely nasal tone like the medieval krumhorn. In the

folk dances performed in the church and market patios I have seen the marimba combined with a drum and a

wooden flute of modern style. None of these instruments or their unusually plaintive melodies are used by the

evangelical churches in the Guatemala City area.

On the contemporary, we have encountered a number of musical groups who have patterned their styles after

certain gospel-rock groups of the U.S.A. They tend to have an overbearing percussionist and always turn up the volume on their over-sized speakers for their electric

guitars. The spiritual impact of these groups, in my

opinion, is negligible. We believe that God has called us to use the talents

we possess to help produce musicians and train Christian leaders here in Central America, who, as we read in II

Timothy 2:2, will in turn minister to others and teach others to develop their God-given gifts for His glory in

Latin America.

' Cast illo , Jesus. La Musica Ma ya-Quiche, Edito ri al Piedra Santa , Guate mala , 1977. 15

lnter[j]CAM PREPARING FOR TOMORROW WHILE SERVING TODAY

Puebla, Mexico - Nets hang motionless in their hoops above the basketball courts. Birds dart about above the empty campus, chattering without frequent interruptions by man-made noises. Then the large wrought-iron gates clang as a curious passerby enters. He wonders what goes on around this quiet place.

Approaching the two-story building directly in front, he notices a couple of notebooks on a window ledge. Atop are stacked pens, textbooks, and Bibles. Just then two young people about his age come out of the building, and, interested, he begins to ask them questions.

In a while he feels welcome here, and he listens to them talk about God as if they knew Him personally. More inquiries bring a beginning of an understanding of what does go on here at the Bible Seminary of Puebla.

Visiting the classrooms, he observes college-age students taking notes, directing a song, or discussing the Bible with a teacher. The 4-year course of study, he learns, aims at preparing the students to be pastors. Sometimes they enter other occupations, but 8 out of 10 grads find full-time work as pastors, Bible school teachers, missionaries, bookstore personnel , or Christian Education directors.

Students don' t spend their four years just studying and looking forward to a ministry, however. Returning from Christmas vacation, for example, the students reported good reception in their many invitations to serve in home churches and elsewhere.

Carolina, a soft-spoken freshman, accepted an invitation to work during vacation with a Mexico City church. The church had organized a project for reaching neighborhood children and asked Carolina to teach them about Christ. Each day Carolina found herself working with about 150 children. Later the church asked her to speak to the youth group as well. The Lord used both ministries to draw people to Himself.

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Also during vacation one of our sophomore women went to Mexico City to help a pastor who cares for four churches. In traveling to the others, he could not attend to the traditional nightly services that one church enjoys before Christmas. He gave our student, Jacinta, much more than she had bargained for including the preparation and direction of the Christmas musical drama. Jacinta said the rewarding experience taught her to depend completely upon the Lord!

Javier, who earned top grades last quarter, tells about his vacation: "I heard about two churches which had been without a pastor for six months. Each day I visited one church or the other, getting back and forth between the two towns by hitching rides with the coal mining trucks that travel between them. We studied the Bible daily and visited believers in their homes. On Christmas Eve we had a united service in one town; on New Year's Eve, in the other. I realized I have so much to learn yet, especially in preparing sermon~ . "

A senior, Lazaro, has worked during vacations as an effective evangelist. Walking from town to town, he addresses his people in their own Totonaco Indian language. Upon graduation, Lazaro may accept an invitation to pastor a church of 100 people and teach in the Totonacan Bible School nearby.

Students don't limit their off-campus ministries to vacation time. Besides their ongoing Christian service assignments during the school year, many volunteer for extra ministries. And all students participate in the on­campus work of Back to the Bible Broadcast correspondence. This year government action cut most evangelical radio broadcasts in Mexico, but letters continue to come in.

Four girls sort the mail and answer with an appropriate booklet or a requested correspondence course. If a listener's question requires more attention, the girls route it to another student or to a professor to answer. As the students answer about fifty percent of the letters, they include their personal testimonies and promise to pray for the correspondent.

In such ways the Bible Seminary of Puebla students not only prepare for tomorrow but also serve today. And their campus is not usually quiet .. . Come on, it's time to play basketball!

- jeanne Brozovich

CAMILO'S MIRACLE Managua, Nicaragua - I finished my work in the fields and came home with one thing on my mind. I wanted to read more of the Bible. I'd sit and read almost every evening by kerosene lamp till ten or eleven o'clock when I'd fall asleep hunched over the table.

One night I read about my sins, and the judgment day, and Christ's coming . Filled with humiliation and fear, I went outside of our humble home to look up at the vast, star-filled heavens. How can a person get to heaven? Stop drinking, stop running around with women, stop going to parties, stop lying, stop fighting?? Hah, it would be better to die than to give up all that!! A shiver came over me. " Oh, God of heaven, if I die, I ask you to send your angels to accompany me into the grave and if I'm alive when Christ comes back, I pray I will be repentant. "

A growing unrest and disgust with the hypocrisy in my life and the lives

of those around me brought me to a decision to reform. I stopped smoking and drinking, I stayed home with my wife. I tried to control my anger, language, and fighting. But, alas, it was impossible. I just couldn't change.

One afternoon I blew up at a family member and started a big fight. Feeling totally defeated, I left the house, shovel over my shoulder, to work in the field. Out of sight of the house I knelt and prayed , " God, they say you help those who want to obey, but why don't you help me?!! Satan trips me up and I, myself, choose to sin. I can't win!" My own heart answered the problem-" You can't win because you don' t do God's will. You haven't given yourself to Christ and believed on Him ... . Tomorrow I will go to town to see the pastor. Tomorrow I will give myself to Christ."

The night seemed endless as I anxiously waited for the first rays of sun to creep over the beautiful green hills. In a horrible nightmare I dreamed that I refused to accept Christ. When I told my wife about my dream, she said, "You should go ahead today and give yourself to Christ. "

I made the two-hour trip by mule to town to ask jesus into my heart when the invitation was given. I left that service so happy, so calm, so relieved. From that moment on, God gave me a burning desire to witness to everyone I met. Two weeks later, after fulfilling an obligation, I returned home to find that my wife had accepted Christ in response to an invitation on the radio.

Three months later I began studying in a short-term Bible institute program held for two weeks twice a year. Although I faced a difficult trial just five days before I was to leave for the institute, I was not deterred from going. God graciously provided for me to continue that course of study for the next four years. Last year I pastored a small church. God continues His miraculous work of changing lives. The church grew rapidly from 60 to 100.

I now have the tremendous privilege of studying at the Nicaragua Bible Institute. Many others, like me, have stepped out in faith that God will provide our needs- and He has!

My heart is filled with praise to Him for all He has done!

-Camilo (as translated by Barbara Robinson)

PASTOR STILL ACTIVE AT 90 Choluteca, Honduras - Don Federico Apl fcano, one of Honduras' oldest pastors, will be 90 years old in July. Don Lico, as he is affectionately called, accepted jesus Christ as his personal Savior in 1913. A short while later he

Don j ul io M arriaga presenti ng don Federico Apllca no a certi fica te commemora ting 60 yea rs in th e Lord 's service

led his sister, Francisca, now 83, to the Lord.

During that time CAM pioneer missionary, Mr. C. Fred Lincoln , arrived in southern Honduras. He learned of this young Christian who was studying in the School of Arts in the capital. At Mr. Lincoln 's invitation, don Lico left school in order to serve the Lord full time. For 60 years he has faithfully done so.

His life reveals his firm Christian convictions for which I thank the Lord . They have been a source of encouragement to me. In 1978 he was presented a certificate of honor, recognizing his 60 years of service to the Lord. He continues to teach a Sunday school class and witnesses in a visitation ministry.

- Helen Longanecker

YOUTH WORKERS TRAINED Pinos Reales, Spain- Training youth workers is an important aspect of ministry at the Conference Center. Three days of " on-the-job training" in camp counseling was a life-changing experience for these three Christian young men from Bilbao. They experienced a new relationship with each other and new vision challenged them to serve God in every area of life.

More recently Manolo and Jose Mari traveled all night at their own expense to attend a one-day training seminar, further preparing for this new venture . -Tommy Skipper

GOD PREPARES MKs Ephrata, Pennsylvania - We marvel at the Lord 's working! Last fall both Lisa, age 8, and Lori , age 6, began talking about earthquakes, and they said they were scared to go to Guatemala. Several weeks later we had a tremor here in Lancaster County (quite unusual) which they noticed and recognized as an earthqu<s.<e from descriptio'ls they had heard. Now they no longer fear them.

Then last month Lori realized that there are Indians in Guatemala . She expressed fear of Indians and said that she was not going to go along to Guatemala . Our talking and reasoning with her did not seem to help. Then two weeks ago there was a special assembly program at school. You guessed it! There was an Indian man th ere in costume and Lori loved it. Now she says that Indians are nice and she no longer fears them. So now it appears that our whole family is eager to go. Praise the Lord .

-Irvin and janet Wenger

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Bulletin Board

FURLOUGHS Aziel and Marian Jones, Columbia,

South Carolina, june, 1979- June, 1980.

Dick and Charlotte Kryder, % H. E. Mohler, 1757 Regents Park Road , Crofton , Maryland 21114, June, 1979-March, 1980.

NEWEST MK'S To Gary and Pauline Williams,

Nathanael lan , born February 22. To Oscar and Peggy Lopez, Janelle

Marie, born February 27. To Richard and Yvonne Plowman,

Joel Mark, born March 12. To Cornelio and Aida Rivera, Samuel

Benjamin, born March 30.

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Chalo and Beth Sandoval, 5012 San Marcus, Mesquite, Texas 75150, June, 1979- june, 1980.

To Rolland and JoAnn Smith, Brenton Rolland , born April 30.

CAM INTERNATIONAL STATEMENT Of CASH RECEIPTS & DISBURSEMENTS

The books and records were audited by Cole, Patterson & Co., Certified Pub­lic Accountants. Copies of the audit report may be obtained upon request .

RECEIPTS General fund Designated for:

Missionaries field Purposes

Practical Missionary Training

TOTAL RECEIPTS

CALENDAR YEAR 1976 1977

s 364,464

2,411 ,612 261 ,212

11 ,131

3,048,419

$ 334,989

2,224,636 277 ,905

9,908

2,647,436

DISBURSEMENTS General fund

Administrative Expenses 209,655 184,973 Communication & Representation 64,052 75,955 field Institutions & Projects 63 ,226 56,331

Designated for: Missionaries 2,337 ,051 2,176702 field Purposes 284,610 322,911

Practical Missionary Training 6,446 11,243

TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS 2,987,242 2,630,115

EXCESS Of RECEIPTS OVER DISBURSEMENTS 61,177 17,323

FUND BALANCES-START Of YEAR 575,675 S58,352

FUND BALANCES-END Of YEAR s 636,652 575,675

Fund balances on hand at the end of the year represent liabilities to missionaries , field institutions, and field projects for contributions received in the current yea r, but payable in the following year.

Following is a summary of special prayer requests in this issue, as noted by the CAM-PO symbols:

" How Did the Seminary as such Get Started?" pages 3-4 - for successful adaptation to U.S. culture and language for the Latins coming here for study; also the necessary scholarship funds for them.

"To Teach Others Also," pages 6-7- specifically for God 's direction and blessing on each ministry described .

" Quo Vadis," pages 10-11 - for God's wisdom, guidance, and provision for the continued development of the Semi nary's ministry.

July 29 - August 4

THE FIRS

Dr. Richoud Strauss Pastor

Emmanuel Faith Community Church

Escondido, California

ED Ae­rogram for

~~~~he morning. water skiing, river

....,,"'""~r,:l,., excursions to Mt. and San Juan Islands,

f tourney, crafts.

ports from CAM Coun­try, CAM missionaries with audio visuals.

For information & reservations write: The Firs 4605 Cable St. Bellingham, W A 98225 Tel. (206) 733-6840

C((J.__ __ ___.

August 11 -17

GULL LAKE

Rew. J. Ronald Blue Chairman, Department

of World Misstons Dallas Theological

Seminary

Dr. Albert Platt President

CAM International

MUSIC: Don Rutledge, Gladys Platt and others.

FAMILY FESTIVAL OF ACTIVITIES: Swimming, boating, all sports, excursions to Kellogg bird sanctuary and cereal plant.

Reports from CAM Coun­try with audio visuals.

For information & reservations write: Gull Lake Conference Box 1 Hickory Corners, Ml 49060 Tel. (616) 671-5155

CAM INTERNATIONAL presents

NINE UNFORGETTABLE DAYS IN GUATEMALA "The Land of Eternal Spring"

FOR INFORMATION, WRITE FOR A FREE BROCHURE

WHY DO I NEED A WILL?

I DON'T OWN THAT MUCH!

If you have asked this question, you should write for the free brochure, "A Will to Live ... Yes! but A Will to Die ... l''

WE COINED A TERM. • •

CAMANNUITY cam-an-nu-T-ty- a legal contract in which CAM International guarantees a lifetime income (largely tax free) to a person who transfers to CAM a specific amount of principal (i.e. cash, securities, or real estate).

For more information and current interest rates write:

Dr. Albert T. Platt

CAM International 8625 La Prada Drive

Dallas, Texas 75228

ITINERARIES MALON COLLINS June 13-July 1 PMT orientation , Guatemala ; Jul y 29-August 4 Lake Erie Conference, Erie, Pennsylvania .

BOB KILGORE June 22-August 20 PMT Summer Course, Mexico, and Central America .

DEAN LEWIS June 10 Welcome for Dr. & Mrs. William Taylor, Buford, Georgia ; 16 Toccoa, Georgia ; July 1-21 CBM camps, Elizabethton , Tennessee; 23-28 Camp Gilead, Polk City, Florida; August 5-11 Camp Amigo, Sturgis, Michigan.

MARTY PAUL June 8-August 6 PMT Summer Course, Mexico, and Central America .

ALBERT T. PLATT June 7-11 Bible Seminary of Puebla graduation , Puebla , Mexico; 17 Faith Bible Church , Dallas, Texas ; 29-July 2 Guatemala; 29-August 4 The Firs Bible and Missionary Conference , Bellingham, Washington ; August 11-17 Gull Lake Bible and Missionary Conference, Hickory Corners, Michigan .

KENNETH E. ROYER June 8-August 20 PMT Summer course, Mexico, and Central America.

DONALD C. RUTLEDGE June 22-30 Guatemala Tour (Guide) ; July 29-August 4 The Firs Bible and Missionary Conference, Bellingham, Washington ; 11-17 Gull Lake Bible and Missionary Conference, Hickory Corners, Michigan.

THE CASE OF THE

INCORRECT ADDRESSES COST CAM 25¢ PER

BULLETIN RETURNED.

PLEASE NOTIFY US OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS!

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