ROAD TO DISCIPLESHIP | Ismael Castillo

ROAD TO DISCIPLESHIP By Ismael Castillo

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen,” Matthew 28:18-20. According to the Great Commission, discipleship includes both baptizing and teaching. Baptism is essentially the beginning of the journey of discipleship, not its end. Committed to following the

command to make disciples, the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Hispanic Ministries and Spanish Evangelism depart ment organized the Adventist Institute of Discipleship, with the acronym ID (in Spanish it means “Go”) in order to develop a rich learning environment that would help fulfill the Great Commission. Formally known as the School of Laity, ID operates in seven areas of the Texas Conference: Aus tin, Dallas, East Texas, Houston, Keene/Fort Worth, San Antonio and the Valley. Each area is led by local pastors who are responsible for promotion and logistics. During 2019, Small Group

EAST TEXAS AREA

Leadership was taught using the curriculum from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. To graduate, students had to complete a total of 40 hours of in struction through eight modules during the year and 60 hours of practice. Each student received a workbook that had to be signed by the instructor teaching the module. The workbook had space for students to report on the assigned readings, which were verified by the local pastor. We praise God for having excellent pastors who have taken the lead in their areas, verifying that each student meets the cur riculum requirements. By the grace of God, during 2019, nearly 400 of our members participated, and more than 300 of them graduated. To formalize the achievement, each area organized a graduation program. Graduates dressed in gowns, caps and tassels. They marched and received a certificate signed by both the representatives of the Texas Conference and a representative from An drews University. Graduates shared the satisfaction felt in completing the course and participating in the graduation ceremony. They also ap preciated receiving the tools to share our mission as the remnant “for such as time as this,” Esther 4:14. The 2020 course is Ecclesiastical Lead ership. It has the same requirements: 40 hours of instruction and 60 hours of prac tice. The assigned reading is Principles for Christian Leaders by Ellen G. White. _________________

HOUSTON AREA

Ismael Castillo, associate director for Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Hispanic Ministries and Spanish Evangelism, pioneered this program. For more information, email hispanicministries@txsda.org.