Meet Albertina Yoc, CASAS Spanish Teacher CALLED TO TEACH My work with the CASAS programs at SEMILLA is important to me because I grew up in the Mennonite Church. I was moved to be invited to be part of this project that began as a dream at the seminary. I realized this was a noble…

Meet Panchita Yoc, Spanish Instructor SHARING EXPERIENCES I work in the CASAS department as a Spanish as a second language instructor for young university students from the United States who come to complete language credits. I also work with other people who come to Guatemala and Central America for voluntary service. My work is meaningful…

Meet Elis Acevedo CASAS Assistant/Coordinator of Host Families, Programs, Community Learning TRANSFORMATION THROUGH DIFFERENCES If I could describe my work at SEMILLA in one word it would be ‘transformative.’ I accompany the students and the people who visit us on a path of transformation. It is an honor for me to give others the gift…

Update from a SEMILLA Graduate and Former Board Member Ricardo Membache has a unique ministry among the Wounaan people of Panama and Colombia. Richard currently serves with the Panama Mission Foundation, an organization that reaches out to this indigenous group in remote areas to share the gospel. Pastoral Training at SEMILLA Ricardo began his involvement…

Healthcare Internship Provides Multi-Level Learning Opportunities Monika Neufeld first learned about CASAS programs from a friend. This piqued her interest in learning Spanish and her curiosity about the possibility of a health internship in Guatemala. CASAS, in conjunction with Mennonite Mission Network, made it possible. Monika’s internship extends through May 2022. Monika, a registered nurse…

José Miguel López Clemente Joins Seminary Leadership in New Vice Rector Role José Miguel López Clemente is not a new face on the SEMILLA campus. He first learned about SEMILLA 15 years ago from his pastor, Samuel Martínez, who shared with him about the seminary’s contribution to the life of the churches through its training…

One Young Man Finds Hope and Opportunity through SEMILLA Seminary Vidal Altamirano left Nicaragua for the United States a couple of years ago, where the military had threatened him because of his participation in student protests with his university. After spending nearly two years in a detention center in Arizona, he was deported home. While…

On March 12, 2021, SEMILLA seminary students in Costa Rica celebrated their graduation with José Miguel presiding. While not all pictured here, 25 students graduated from Bible Institute studies, and 11 graduated with a Bachillerato in Bible and Pastoral Theology.  

SEMILLA and CASAS Offer Online Classes A year ago, SEMILLA would not have imagined going almost completely online with its programming. But pushed by necessity through the pandemic, the Seminary now offers online theological education to groups in seven Central American countries and Colombia. Panamanian Seminary Students A group of students from Panama participates in…