December 10, 2004

Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City has completed a pilot program with the South America and Mexico and Central America Regions to offer a Doctor of Ministry degree in Spanish. Through a collaborated effort and vision, which has provided unprecedented opportunities for Spanish and Portuguese speaking Nazarenes, 12 leaders from South America received their Doctor of Ministry degrees. November 7th was a historic day as NTS held its graduation ceremony in Buenos Aires, Argentina for graduates from Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, and Argentina.

Graduates included:

• Santiago E. Bereche Baldera - Ecuador. District superintendent (DS) of the North Coast District in Ecuador.
• Jorge Esteban Durán Cárdenas - Argentina. DS of the Central District in Argentina.
• Carlos Hugo Fernándes - Argentina. Southern Cone Field Director based in Pilar, Buenos Aires Argentina.
• Luis A. Meza Garcia - Peru. South America Regional Compassionate Ministries Coordinator based at SAM Regional Office in Pilar. Argentina.
• José Evelio Vásquez Malca - Peru. DS of the North District in Peru.
• Gumercindo Antón Nunura - Peru. DS of the Sierra Central District in Peru.
• Jorge Luis Julca Olano - Peru. Rector of the South American Nazarene Seminary in Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
• Macario Balcázar Santa Cruz - Peru. Vice Rector of Decentralized Theological Education at the Nazarene Theological Seminary in Chiclayo, Peru.
• Eduardo Rodrigues Da Silva - Brazil. Vice Academic Dean at Nazarene Theological College in Campinas, Brazil.
• Edgar Enrique Baldeón Tixe - Ecuador. Vice Academic Dean at Nazarene Theological Seminary of South America in Quito, Ecuador.
• David Wayne Wesley - United States. South America Regional Education Coordinator based at SAM Regional Office in Pilar, Argentina.
• Juan Víctor Riofrío Zumba - Ecuador. Module Editor for the Decentralized Ministerial Preparation on the South American Region. Vice Rector of Student Affairs at the South America Nazarene Theological Seminary in Pilar, Argentina.

NTS President Ron Benefiel (pictured above) preached the graduation sermon to the over 600 in attendance. Also present were Doctoral Program Coordinator Ed Robinson, NTS Professor Roger Hahn, former NTS Professor Mario Zani, and South American Regional Director Bruno Radi.
— Brian Utter, SAM Communications Office