Dear friends, I recently realized that I have been living in a protected little Baptist bubble here in Costa Rica. I met with two seminary professors who teach Christian Education and work extensively with the Protestant churches in the country. We were interested in developing a survey together to discover the status of Christian Education in the country. Each of us wrote a rough draft and then we compared notes. Their questions, directed to the pastor, said things like: Do you have a Christian Education ministry in your church? Do you know what Christian Education is? Do you know what materials, if any, your church is using for its educational program? Do you have anyone in charge of your Sunday school program (if you have one)? I looked in astonishment at these questions. What pastor would not know what Sunday school or discipleship or youth ministry materials are being used in his or her church? What pastor would not even know what Christian Education is? What church would have no educational activities at all? The response of my colleagues was: “You have no idea what’s going on in the churches! The Baptists are a completely different category because they are organized and have always valued education. But the rest of the churches are another story. Most of the pastors with whom we talk think that the educational needs of the churches are served by the sermon.” I was pleased to know of the good reputation Baptists have, but could hardly believe my ears. I had written questions like, “What are the most pressing themes that your congregation needs to study?” “What criteria do you use to select your Sunday school material?” They told me that the questions were not even comprehensible, because the pastors don’t think in those terms. Some don’t even know what Sunday school is. In the light of that eye-opening conversation, I am re-impressed with the importance of what Ediciones Lumbrera is doing. In the context of a profoundly anti-intellectual environment, that defines Christian faith as worship and emotion, we are offering solid Biblical teaching that creates disciples and builds community. We are encouraging lay Christians and pastors to read, study, and grow in their faith. I had not realized that this is radical action! Thank you for your support of this ministry to help the church in Costa Rica fulfill its mission. Warmly, Ruth Mooney