Hello everyone!
First of all, thank you all so much for your prayers and support! This week marked the end of the school year for Gaby. The academic calendar in Guatemala ends in November so she is technically on her “summer break” now! By God’s grace Gabriela made it through her classes and is almost fully recovered from her Bell’s Palsy.
God has been good to us!
Teaching On Luke
As for me, Christian Academy of Guatemala runs on the American academic calendar so I am still teaching. It’s been a great semester this year and I thought I’d catch you up. This year I’ve been working through the Gospel according to Luke with the 9th grade class. The first semester is aimed to look at the life of Christ (according to Luke) and in the second semester we will look at the life of the church (also according to Luke!) Here are some interesting things we’ve learned about the life of Jesus so far:
- Did you know that Jesus’ miracles were not about the miracles in themselves? That the point of healing was never healing? We know this because 100% of the people Jesus healed eventually died. The point was never the miracle; the point is the man behind the miracle: the Messiah! Miracles point to Jesus’ power and Messiahship and we should pursue Him, not the things he does.
- Did you know Luke 9:51 is a critical verse that drops a HUGE contextual clue for the reader? The key is in the statement, “Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem.” This means that everything from this moment on happens under the shadow of the cross and Jesus has begun his journey to his death. It really brings the rest of the gospel into perspective.
- Did you know that not only does God seek out sinners but he also REJOICES when they are found? You would think our repentance (or “foundness”) would cause God to be frustrated with us, since we had a need to repent in the first place, but it’s quite the opposite! The three parables in Luke 15 show us that God loves those who repent just as the shepherd rejoices when the sheep is brought back to the flock and just like the woman rejoices when her coin is found and just like the father rejoices when his prodigal son returns! What a joy to know our Father rejoices in us!
Can’t wait for Acts next semester!
Teaching Worship Arts
Another class I’ve had the joy of teaching this year is Worship Arts. We started this new elective to help students develop a sound theology and practice of worship music which they get to put to practice every week in chapel! It has been an awesome experience to see the students grow in their skill and love for the Lord. We just had our Spiritual Emphasis Week whcih went great! Our Worship Arts class also has many creative students who learn to use their unique skills in chapel by decorating, designing the stage, and more (see above photo). We have a Christmas service coming up soon that everyone is excited for! Here are some of our student’s favorite songs! (Click on links)
- Mediator – Ghost Ship
- Jesus! – Citizens
- Jesus Paid It All – King’s Kaleidoscope
For pictures of our chapel services, check out the pictures below.
A New Project: Centrados
I want to tell you about a project I’ve been working on for the past year. It’s called Centrados.
Centrados is primarily a website with theological resources presented in the style of an online magazine. “Centrados” literally means “centered” in Spanish is all about being centered on the gospel in our faith and communities.
Centrados was founded for three reasons:
First, I founded Centrados as a response to the many blessings I received from organizations like The Gospel Coalition, Desiring God, 9Marks, Ligonier, The Resurgence, and several more. I was and still am greatly helped through these ministries and desired to provide a similar experience and source of help in Spanish concerning theological and cultural issues. It is my hope that Centrados will be an extension in Spanish of what these ministries are already doing globally in English. I desire not to be a competitor against these ministries, but to continue and add to the work they have already begun. You will then find that Centrados adheres to The Gospel Coalition statement of faith and has a similar vision. Over time, I expect this vision to gradually evolve to better suit and speak to particular issues in our hispanic context.
Second, I started Centrados as a response to a growing trend within Christian churches to claim belief in the gospel by word, but to live differently in deed. Christians often say we believe in the gospel but even then we fall back on religious norms, moralism, or even licentiousness. For this reason we must maintain the gospel at the center of our faith and communities of faith. The gospel is not something we simply depend on to be saved; being gospel-centered means returning to the gospel everyday to receive, apply, and share the forgiveness and grace of God through Jesus Christ in every aspect of our lives. It is my desire to see Centrados carry out this message.
Third, I desire to provide a voice for gospel-centered ministries for the next generation of Christians in general, but particularly pastors and their churches so that new and rising churches and ministries may be reformed both in their beliefs and practices to be biblical and Christ-centered. The importance of reaching a new generation of church leaders with the same truths of the Bible, but perhaps in a new or changing context cannot be overstated. As a part of the next generation, I hope that Centrados will be a conduit for the communication of gospel truths that have been passed down over the generations.
You can check out some screenshots below.
Currently, the website is in “beta” mode and can only be accessed by invitation. If you know any Spanish-speaking pastors or leaders who might be interested in testing out the site or being a contributor, don’t hesitate to give them my email (steven@centrados.net).
Seminary at SBTS
Finally, as you’ve read in Gabriela’s previous post, I am enrolled in seminary this year! I started my first semester online at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and am taking a class on hermeneutics and another one on missiology. They are already paying off in the mission field and I thank you for helping us in our mission to make and mature disciples in Guatemala.
If you have any questions or would like to send us a message, you can always look us up on Facebook or send us an email at steven.m.morales@gmail.com!
By His grace,
Steven
