Several years ago, Dan Perez Sr., a U.S. Army veteran and multimedia training developer at Science Applications International Corporation, felt called to the ministry.
The catch? He sensed God calling him to preach in Spanish.
“But God,” he prayed, “I can’t speak Spanish anymore!”
Perez is the son of parents who moved to the U.S. from Mexico, so his first language was Spanish. But he quickly left that behind as he went off to school, then the Army, then college. Soon after his response to God’s call, he found out about the Baptist Bible Institute of North Alabama, El Instituto Biblico Bautista del Noreste de Alabama, an affiliate of the Baptist University of the Americas, with classes meeting in Huntsville at the Madison Baptist Association offices. Here was a path, in Spanish, to ministry.
For the last seven years, Perez’ studies with the institute have taught him the basics of Bible, pastoral and counseling skills but also helped him practice his first language again.
“The time in class helped me practice reading, writing and speaking Spanish,” said Perez, who was one of eight candidates to be awarded certificates or diplomas July 2. “The funny things is, with all the different teachers and students being from different countries, we all speak different dialects of Spanish.”
Pastor Ed Ables, a missionary in South America for 25 years, now works for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions and the North American Mission Board as coordinator of an institute in north Alabama that trains Hispanic leaders. As a mark of his pride in the graduates, he personally paid for the parchment diplomas in their satin cases.
“For some, this is a sacrifice financially,” Ables said before the graduation, which was held at Life Church International, Huntsville, where one of the graduates leads the Hispanic congregation, Iglesia de Dios Hispana. “A lot are just laborers.”
But all have been recommended for the studies by congregations where they are active as members and leaders, he said.
Adel Robayna, the other main teacher for the institute, delivered the commencement address, giving the graduates one final lesson on the ministry.
“You have a part in transforming the world for Christ,” Robayna preached in Spanish. “But there are four secrets.”
Robayna began enumerating the secrets, eliciting a warm chuckle from the graduates and their gathered families and friends, as it became apparent that all four of the secrets were the same: prayer.
“There is power in prayer,” he said.
Those receiving the diploma, which requires 10 college-level classes, gave their testimonies.
Sonia Gonzalez reminded her classmates of the struggles to understand and to find time to study.
Rosa Toussaint thanked the teachers and Madison Association. José Sanchez, who made jokes about the tests they had shared anxiety and prayers over, and Daniel Perez thanked their families for their sacrifices in support of their studies.
Ables, who describes himself as “80 percent retired” even though he preaches at two Hispanic church plants on weekends and also helps with other Hispanic church plants across north Alabama, has directed the institute since 2004.
Two classes are offered on Saturdays in subjects such as Bible study, Christian doctrine, ethics, homiletics and church administration.
It’s a lot of work. But it’s even more of a blessing, he said. “Most of our students became born-again Christians in the U.S.,” Ables said.
“They don’t have that Sunday School background a lot of folks have. The institute is a small enough group that we can work at their individual levels.
“It is a blessing and a privilege for me to teach these classes and to study with them.”
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