Friends of SEMILLA is a United States-based IRC 501(c)(3) public charity. The Friends generate unrestricted and special financial support for SEMILLA Latin American Anabaptist Seminary and assists with promotion of SEMILLA’s CASAS (Central American Study and Service) program throughout North America.

Our Roots

Incorporated in the State of Ohio in 2002, Friends of SEMILLA initially generated charitable support for the building of the SEMILLA Latin American Anabaptist Seminary campus in Guatemala City.

The original board consisted of three members: Steve Steiner, Margaret Thut, and Amzie Yoder. After construction was completed, these three maintained an annual appeal to donors, raising occasional special support for larger needs. These founders continue to this day as active volunteers.

Expanded Involvement

In 2014, realizing the need for increased fundraising, the board created the position of North American Ambassador. Since then, board size and geographical representation have been increased, with commensurate growth in charitable support and expanded awareness of the services CASAS provides to North American university and seminary students and other adult learners.

The Friends of SEMILLA have pledged $300,000 in support of the seminary program in 2025. This amount is sufficient to cover the cost of educating approximately 500 of SEMILLA’s more than 600 seminary students. Without this support, this education from an Anabaptist Christian perspective would not be possible for these leaders in impoverished communities throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Your gifts, as a Friend, accomplish this. Thank you!

Leonor Kennell
Administrative Support
usadmin@semillagt.org