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Advanced Theological Training in UruguayMatias and Kristine EspinelMatias was born and raised in Montevideo, Uruguay, and grew up attending Iglesia Evangélica Siloé, a church of EMU. His father passed away when Matias was ten years old, but his mother continued taking the family to church. He came to know the Lord as his Savior a year after his father's death. Throughout his youth, Matias also attended Camp Emmanuel, EMU's southern camp. Having sufficiently learned English while in Uruguay, Matias was able to attend Bob Jones University where he majored in financial management. Kristine was raised in a pastor's home in New Jersey where her father began Founders Baptist Church in Dover. Saved at a very young age, Kristine always had an interest in missions. At the age of eight, after hearing a missionary from Argentina preach at her home church, Kristine dedicated her life to missionary service. At BJU she majored in Spanish in order to prepare herself for ministry among Latin Americans, especially in South America. She also traveled with several summer mission teams to Spanish-speaking countries during her time in college. While at BJU, Kristine and Matias met and fell in love. The Lord gradually changed Matias' focus from business to full-time ministry in Uruguay. Matias and Kristine were married in 2004. To further prepare themselves for teaching ministry, both continued with their formal education at BJU. Kristine earned an M.A. in Bible, and Matias acquired an M.A. in Pastoral Studies and a Master of Divinity. Throughout their schooling at BJU, Matias and Kristine were very involved in Spanish ministries in Greenville. Matias was able to be an interpreter for visiting speakers at Spanish churches, and Kristine, who taught Spanish at BJU, helped with material translation. After graduation, BJU asked the Espinels to travel on one of the university's USA musical teams for a year. Matias was the preacher for this team. The Espinels entered the EMU family of missionaries in June 2009. |
Matias & Kristine Espinel family |
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John Mark and Deborah SteelJohn Mark and Deborah are the products of missionary families serving in the Western Hemisphere. When John Mark was in the eighth grade, the Steels moved from Indiana to the island of Antigua where his father worked with a Christian missionary radio station. It was there that John Mark began taking Spanish in a cultural program sponsored by the Venezuelan government. Three years later the family moved to Provo, UT, for another assignment. During his years at Bob Jones University, John Mark's desire to serve the Lord in full-time ministry grew. During his senior year, he joined a Christmas mission team to Uruguay. One of the organizers of the team was a recent graduate of BJU who had grown up as an MK in Uruguay, Deborah Garwood. Deborah's family moved to Uruguay when she was very young. Though her parents were with another mission organization, the family had close fellowship with EMU missionaries. Deborah and her younger brother and older sister grew up attending Camp Emmanuel in Uruguay. It was at this camp that Deborah, at the age of sixteen, heard George Jensen's message on David Livingstone and surrendered her life to missionary service. Graduating from BJU in 1995 with a B.A. in French, Deborah worked on staff at the campus, during which time her relationship with John Mark developed. They were married in 1999. Subsequent short-term mission trips to Mexico, Spain, and Uruguay helped to direct their attention to Uruguay. In the meantime, John Mark earned an M.A. in Church Music and a Master of Divinity. John Mark and Deborah have spent many years helping with various Spanish ministries in the Greenville area. They were accepted as missionary candidates with EMU in December 2008. The Steels post ministry updates at their blog, Good News From a Distant Land. John Mark and Deborah have one daughter, Anna-Ruth Elizabeth. |
John Mark & Deborah Steel family |
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Team MinistryBecause of their common backgrounds of growing up in Uruguay, Deborah Garwood and Matias Espinel were natural friends during their years at BJU. And with John Mark Steel and Kristine McCune's interest in Spanish ministry, all four became close friends. The Steels and Espinels have long desired to serve the Lord in Uruguay. Matias, especially, was keenly aware of the lack of opportunity for Uruguayan nationals to increase their theological learning in a classroom environment under qualified teachers. The ultimate goal is to establish such a school. However, their ministry also encompasses teaching at the Bible Institute, helping churches without pastors, camp ministry, translating teaching materials, and visiting churches for the purpose of encouragement. EMU desires to establish a seminary-level learning center that will serve not only its own pastors and missionaries, but also Christians from other mission organizations and churches in southern South America. At this school, students will increase their knowledge of God's Word, with the result that they will return to their churches and ministries to teach others.
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John Mark & Deborah Steel |
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