Ruth's ministry is Christian education. She lives in Costa Rica, where she serves on the faculty of the Latin American Biblical University, a seminary that prepares pastors and leaders for churches throughout Latin America. Ruth also ministers in other parts of Latin America.

She writes: At the Latin American Biblical University (UBL), we are learning a new language. (Did you know that “wiki”, as in “wikipedia” or “wikileaks,” is a Hawaiian work meaning “fast”?) We have started off the year (school began in February) with a course on how to prepare “cursos virtuales” (online courses). As you can imagine, for some this is a day at the park while for others it’s inquisition-style torture. One prof is fluent in 10 languages, but this was far more intimidating to him than Hebrew or Arabic. Appropriately enough, the course itself is being taught online, so after an initial meeting with the professor, our communication is all by internet. I was not initially enthusiastic about this, but am finding it fun to learn something new. Our professor, who is the head of the Religion Department (Escuela Ecuménica) at the National University, is deeply committed to creating online classes that build relationships, create interaction, provoke analysis and dialogue . . . all those things that make for effective learning.

This new form of teaching may become increasingly important to the University. Our teaching model is unique in Costa Rica and is being challenged by the government regulatory board, CONASUP. We have a main campus in San José and 15 “recintos” or regional centers in 12 countries of Latin America. The students complete their initial 2-3 years of study at their local center, then come to San José for their final year (Bachillerato) or for higher degrees (Licenciatura, Maestría). Local professors teach some of the classes and our professors travel to the centers to offer intensive courses. (Last year I traveled to Peru and Guatemala.) This makes theological education available to many more people. But the regulatory board, CONASUP, can’t supervise the regional centers and therefore wants to declare them illegal. Since 2009, the board has refused to validate some of our diplomas, despite the fact that the model has been approved and functioning for over 15 years, and is part of a UNESCO agreement.

Prayer requests:

• That  CONASUP will grant us permission to continue serving the churches of the Latin American region.
• That God will send us work teams to help us build residence halls on the new property we were able to purchase.
• That we will be able to develop meaningful on-line classes that will make theological education available to more people.
• That God will provide the support that I need to continue this ministry.

• Pray for Ruth as she helps train and develop Christian leaders in Latin America.
• Pray for the students studying for ministry at the seminary