Graduation 2016

On June 19, twelve people graduated from the Summit Bible College extension we have in Nayarit.  After two and one-half years of studying, some received Associates Degrees, others received Bachelor's Degrees, and others received their Master's.  SBC takes into consideration of not only former education, but experience as well making these degrees reachable.

We are excited about this opportunity and have noticed that there are many pastors and leaders in Mexico who have not received a formal education.  Those who have received previous education have been typically taught only the doctrines of their denomination.  SBC encourages us to study what the bible says and what other religions and denominations believe.  This will either reinforce what we've been taught or challenge us to re-think what we've been told is a correct interpretation.

Here is what a few graduates had to say about their experience...

"As Christians we can know the basics, but when you really dive into the Scriptures, you can learn great things.  It's also amazing how books written by other brothers and sisters from around the world can help.  I encourage everyone to be motivated to study and learn more." --Liliana Garzon, Arrayanes, Associates in Biblical Studies and Bachelors in Theology

"I learned a lot through the scriptures and some of the investigations I did through articles and other books.  I learned about God's character and how He is exalted even through some non-Christian Historians whose accounts of what has happened in the past support the Word of God." --Pastor Gregorio Hernández, Cofradia, Bachelors in Theology and Masters in Theology

"My wife and I had been praying and fasting and asking the Lord to guide us to a place where we can receive training in order to preach the gospel according to the Truth in the Scriptures.  While at the beach, two hours away, we saw Steve and his family and he told us about the Bible School.  It was an answer to prayer and we are so grateful for all that we have learned and realizing how much we didn't know."  --Pastor Amado Verdin, Rosamorada, Bachelors of Theology in Biblical Counseling

I was introduced to the school through a long-time friend, Francisco Jimenez.  I first met Francisco when I was in High School.  He was our interpreter for our youth group's short-term mission team in Mazatlan.  We kept in touch and visit him and his wife at their home in Oxnard, CA when we drive through.  Francisco was also our interpreter at our wedding (Geña and I were married twice in one day! HA!)

It only seemed fitting to invite Francisco to be the special speaker.  He has graduated with a Masters from SBC and was the Director of the Ventura extension for a few years.  He shared about his ministries, the college, and delivered an excellent message to the Fathers as it was Father's Day.

So, after 2 ½ years of studying, I would like to present to you the First Generation of graduates from Summit Bible College's extension in Nayarit...

Pastor Amado Verdin, Rosamorada.  Bachelors of Theology in Christian Counseling.

Lourdes Soto, Rosamorada.  Bachelors of Theology in Christian Counseling.

Maria Sicairos, Cofradia.  Associates in Biblical Studies and Bachelors of Theology in Christian Counseling. 

Pastor Luis Vázquez, Cofradia.  Honors Graduate.  Bachelors of Theology in Christian Counseling.

Victor Hugo Díaz, Cofradía.  Honors Graduate.  Bachelors of Theology in Christian Counseling.

Pastor Horacio Garzon, Arrayanes.  Honors Graduate.  Bachelors of Theology in Christian Counseling.

Efigenia Silberman, Cofradía.  Honors Graduate.  Bachelors of Theology in Christian Counseling.

Sandra Garzón, Cofradía.  Honors Graduate.  Associates in Biblical Studies and Bachelors in Theology.

Liliana Emilia Garzón, Arrayanes.  Honors Graduate.  Associates in Biblical Studies and Bachelors in Theology.

Angel Martinez, Cofradía.  Bachelors of Theology and Masters of Theology.

Martin Garzón, Arrayanes.  Bachelors of Theology and Masters of Theology.

Pastor Gregorio Hernández, Cofradía.  Honors Graduate with highest grade.  Bachelors of Theology and Masters of Theology.

CONGRADULATIONS, CLASS OF 2016!

COMING SOON...EL RETO 2016!!

JOIN US IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE!!!


We need $2,000 dollars.  We need your help!
Click here to join us in making a difference in young people's lives!!  All contributions are tax-deductible!

JUNE MINISTRY UPDATE

Greetings from Cofradía, Mexico! Praise the Lord for the seven people who were baptized this month at the river.  Some were new converts while others have been visiting church off and on for nearly 20 years!  We look forward to their growth! Click here to see the report.
GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD; HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!

Last month, we asked you to pray for... 

1. Religious Association Status.  We are still waiting for the government to respond and finalize our paperwork; the financial need is still at hand. 
2. Bible School. Thank you to those who have responded to the tuition sponsorship request.  All the students who were in need have been covered! Graduation is June 19! 
3. Drug Rehab Center: Please keep this in prayer as Pastor Amado and his team continue to reach out to young people while they try to find a place to rent and/or land to buy. 
4. Internet. Thank you for your prayers!  I found out this week that there is a new internet service to become available soon in our town.  Today, I visited with the company who is bringing out the service.  The man says that for us to have internet at the mission base that will serve our needs, we would need to purchase a tower and antenna ourselves.  It is available!  We need $1,000 dollars for the purchasing and installation of the tower and antenna.  Our monthly cost will be less than what it is now and the service will be much faster and not limited like it is now (The service we have now limits us to a certain amount of use.  If we go over, we lose service for 24 hours).  We are excited about this opportunity! Please consider how you can help.  This will help us with our communications with the Mexican IRS (Hacienda), Reporting, Updates, National and International Video calls (Facetime, Skype, etc).  This is an incredible answer to prayer!!  Click here to help us reach our goal of $1,000 dollars.  Geña and I will be joining you as we give also. 
5. San Diego.  We have not gone to San Diego because we’ve been told the leaders of the bible study have not returned and it looks like they do not have plans to do so.  We still lift up San Diego for Jesus! 

Here are some links to more:

• Last Month’s Update 
• Emma’s 10th Birthday Mini-RETO See a quick report and video of her birthday party here: 
• A Quick Look into our Ministry: A two minute clip of some of the activities and more.
• Pastoral Perspectives: Click here to read bi-annual reports from three of our Pastors: 
• EL RETO 2015: 
• What is EL RETO: 
• “Dwellings” candidates in Cofradia: Meet two families that are in need of a home: 
• Cofradia’s Short-Term Missions Manual explains more of our mission in detail.

This month, will you please pray for...

1. Religious Association Status.  $2,000 USDollars. Donate here to help.
2. Bible School. Graduation will be on June 19.  Our friend, Francisco Jimenez from Oxnard, CA, will be our guest speaker and we look forward to this first generation of graduates.  The next term begins July 5. 
3. Drug Rehab Center: Pray for Pastor Amado and his team as they continue to reach out to the community.   There are so many people in need who seek him out for help.  Pray for finances to purchase land; he will initially need $15,000 to $20,000 US dollars to purchase a piece of land (6 acres).  In the meantime, he is looking into renting a house in town for those who are coming to him.  If you would like to help him, please let me know.  
4. Civil Association: I feel like we took a few steps back this month.  I was informed that we are obligated by law to open a bank account that allows us to pay taxes online through the bank’s internet page.  Now we NEED to open an account.  This will incur extra (unwanted, LOL) expenses of about $50 per month.  There are no options for internet banking without fees.  I have been working on this for three weeks now researching banks and trying to figure out what we’re supposed to do and have.  Please continue to pray as my hair continues to fall out and turn a lighter color. :) 
5. Trip to the States: Pray for us as we head back to the border to turn in our truck permit.  We will continue on to Washington for a few weeks then be back in Cofradia by the beginning of our youth outreach, EL RETO, which starts the last Saturday of August.  We will be available to speak at your church, Sunday School class, home group, etc.  We also would love to meet up with you for either lunch, dinner, or coffee.  Respond to this email if you have time to visit. 

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever!

Thank you so much for being part of our team as we work together to RAISE UP LEADERS IN RURAL MEXICO!!!!

Blessings,

Steve, Geña, Rebecka, Emma, and Mackenzie Silberman
Missionaries to Mexico
Alternative Missions
Cofradia Area Director

--- JOIN OUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT TEAM ---OPTION A---ONLINE:
Online, you can make a one-time, tax-deductible gift, or set up to make automatic monthly donations to our personal support at this link. 

OPTION B---BY POSTAGE MAIL/CHECKS: 
Send a check made out to Alternative Missions to Alternative Missions / PO Box 3107 / Ferndale, WA 98248.  On a separate note, indicate that it is for The Silbermans.