(Español abajo) Update by Chris and Francelia McReynolds – Liliana Rojas, Ethel Amezcua, and Erika Trujillo were part of our small class of AMO® trainees in Puebla, Mexico, this past summer. Now, they are making a big impact in their community using what they learned. The three women were so inspired during the training that they began to envision a school that would be centered on the biblical principles taught through AMO.

Students and teachers of new Christian School using AMO in Puebla

Liliana, a 27-year-old professor with a Master of Education degree, began to act on the vision. Erika and Ethel immediately joined in. These women quit their jobs to follow this divine vision. Ethel’s husband, Luis, the rector of Puebla Bible Seminary where we carried out the AMO training, offered wonderful space in the seminary to start the school. Amazingly, in three weeks time, they had their plans laid out, school facilities in order, materials prepared, and 15 students registered, all in time for the start of the school year!

AMO curriculum, with its emphasis on enriched learning with biblical-Christian worldview, is the basis for their lessons in Bible, classic literature, Christian history, languages, geography and the arts. Educazion, an online Christian education platform, provides for subjects like math, science, and additional research. Through testing by the Secretary of Public Education (SEP) of Mexico, the students will be fully certified by SEP just as students in public schools are. As for funding, Liliana and her team have set a student tuition level that is viable for the families and for the school as it expands. Currently, the school provides primary and secondary grades, with plans to include high school next year.

Student’s art in Puebla Christian school along with their teachers (upper right, L to R) Erika, Liliana and Ethel

On our recent visit with the group, students were happy and challenged in their new school. The combined classroom space was well organized and inviting. The students had common space for group study and desk cubicles for private study with internet access. Parents were grateful to have this wonderful new option for their children. The teachers – Liliana, Erika and Ethel, and two seminary students – were all smiles and very thankful to God for this new venture.

Please, pray for strength and protection for these teachers, and the parents, who are taking on the tremendous and wonderful task of discipling the next generation with education that embraces God’s wisdom and authority in all areas of study and life.  Pray also for others to be encouraged to action by their brave and intelligent efforts.Pray for the children, that their studies will prepare them to lead their future families, communities and nation. Join us all in giving thanks to God for creating this school and for supplying his wonderful provisions.

Self portraits in Puebla Christian school

Puebla Christian school has private study space for online studies, as well as common areas for group study through AMO curriculum.

Daily class schedule in Puebla

Grounds at Puebla Bible Seminary

Liliana Rojas, Ethel Amezcua, y Erika Trujillo eran parte de nuestra pequeña clase de aprendices del programa AMO® en Puebla, Puebla, el pasado verano. Ahora, ellas están haciendo un gran impacto en su comunidad utilizando lo aprendido. Las tres mujeres estaban tan inspiradas durante el entrenamiento que comenzaron a vislumbrar una escuela que se centra en los principios bíblicos que se enseñan a través de AMO.

Liliana, una profesora de 27 años de edad, con un grado de Maestría en Educación, comenzó a actuar en la visión y Erika y Ethel se unieron inmediatamente. Estas mujeres renunciaron a sus puestos de trabajo para seguir esta visión divina. El marido de Ethel, Luis, el rector del Seminario Bíblico de Puebla donde se llevó a cabo la capacitación AMO, ofreció un espacio maravilloso en el seminario para empezar la escuela. !Maravillosamente, dentro de tres semanas, hicieron sus planes de trabajo, pusieron las instalaciones de la escuela en orden, hicieron los materiales preparados, y registraron 15 estudiantes, todo en tiempo para el inicio del año escolar!

El currículo de AMO, con su énfasis en el aprendizaje enriquecido y cosmovisión bíblico-cristiana, es la base para sus lecciones de la Biblia, literatura clásica, la historia cristiana, idiomas, geografía y las artes. Educazion, es una plataforma de educación cristiana en línea, y provee materias como matemáticas, español, ciencias sociales y naturales. A través de exámenes por la Secretaría de Educación Pública (la SEP) de México, los estudiantes serán plenamente certificados por la SEP al igual que los estudiantes de las escuelas públicas. En cuanto a la financiación de la escuela, Liliana y su equipo han creado un nivel de inscripción que es viable para las familias y para la escuela, ya que se expande. Actualmente, la escuela ofrece cursos de primaria y secundaria, con planes para incluir la preparatoria en el año que viene.

En nuestra última visita con el grupo, los estudiantes estaban felices y desafiados en su nueva escuela. El espacio de aula estaba bien organizado y acogedor. Los estudiantes tenían espacio común para el estudio en grupo y cubículos para el estudio privado con acceso a internet. Los padres estaban agradecidos de tener esta nueva opción maravillosa para sus hijos. Los profesores – Liliana, Erika y Ethel, y dos estudiantes del seminario – estaban todos sonrientes y muy agradecidos con Dios por esta nueva aventura.

Por favor, oren por la fuerza y ​​la protección de estos maestros y los padres, que están asumiendo la tremenda y maravillosa tarea de discipular a la próxima generación con la educación que abarca la sabiduría y la autoridad de Dios en todas las áreas de estudio y vida. Oremos también para que otros puedan alentar a la acción por sus esfuerzos valientes e inteligentes. Oren para los niños, que sus estudios los preparará para dirigir sus futuras familias, comunidades y naciones. Únanse a nosotros todos para dar gracias a Dios por la creación de esta escuela y para el suministro de sus disposiciones maravillosas.

(Update from Chris and Francelia McReynolds in Mexico) We are very thankful to God and the many participants of MeXED conference which took place at the end of September. The Christian Education and Discipleship in Mexico (MeXED) event was hosted by Seminario Teológico Presbiteriana del Sureste (STPS), of Nacajuca, Tabasco, Mexico. The seminary included MeXED as part of its week of celebrating 30 years of faithful service to churches throughout Mexico. The three-day event of fellowship, learning, and connecting was attended by 150 parents, leaders and students from Tabasco and around the country in Mexico and the United States.

Blessing and commissioning of (women L to R) Elizabeth Bermudez, Esther Suarez, Elizabeth Aguilar (Gloria Viveros not present)

Participants expressed thanksgiving for the quality of the teaching and the opportunity to connect with others who shared their biblical view of education and discipleship for families and the nation. We had a wonderful, inspiring, list of speakers organized by Jose Antonio Alvarez, of Semilla and part time professor at STPS and Gordon-Conwell Seminary.

Our keynote was Dr. Jose Gonzalez, of Semilla, who shared about the roots and dynamics of Machismo and Matriarchy that strongly influences families and society throughout Latin America. Other special guest speakers included: Dr. Alvin Padilla and Dr. Milton Nuñez of Gordon-Conwell Seminary, Dr. Ascanio Pegueiro of Pastoral Medical Association, Dr. Huascar de la Cruz of Tabasco, Dr. Cuauhtémoc Angulo Pineda of Tabasco, Lic. Jose Lucero Ramirez, Professor of Law at UNAM, our own Dr. Francelia Chavez de McReynolds of Mexico City, Dr. Jill Thrift of Chrysalis International, Pbro. Amós Cahuich and Pbro. Aldo Chalé of San Pablo Seminary-Mérida, Pastor Abimael Borbolla of Oaxaca and Pbro. Juan Marcos de Leon Sanchez of STPS.

A special highlight of the event was the commissioning and blessing of our four new trainers for the discipleship program, Biblical Foundations of Christian Education and AMO® Program. This program is an apprenticeship for excellence in biblical Christian education, published by Chrysalis International.

Francelia inspiring families and leaders in education at MeXED

We’ve asked, before, for your prayers for Elizabeth Bermudez, Esther Suarez, Gloria Viveros and Elizabeth Aguilar, AMO Trainers who are still finishing up this apprenticeship. Francelia and Jill Thrift spoke with inspiration and passion of our work with AMO in Mexico. Then, Pastors Abimael Borbolla and Aldo Chalé led a moving ceremony calling on God’s blessing and commissioning of the four new trainers.

These women will, potentially, serve families and churches throughout Mexico with education that prepares hearts and minds with God’s principles and vision for life that restores and transforms families, communities and the nation. We ask for your continued prayers for these women.

Dr. Jill Thrift, of Chrysalis International, sharing about the graduate-level course that prepares AMO Trainers

Jose Gonzalez, of Semilla, speaking at MeXED Tabasco

Francelia introducing some of the AMO teachers from local churches in Tabasco

Presbyterian Theological Seminary of Southeast Mexico hosting MeXED in Tabasco as part of their 30th Anniversary week of celebrations