Making research accessible
Flavia is a Masters's student at Seminario Bíblico William Carey. She tutors undergraduate diploma students, particularly those in the Biblical Counseling program, as a part-time job. She spends a lot of time writing papers or researching for this advanced degree. However, poor access to books and writings often creates a hurdle for her. Because Flavia lives in Argentina, she is unable to simply order a book on Amazon, and the local bookstores rarely, if ever, import Christian works. Sometimes local churches of friends might have a small collection of 20-50 volumes that she read, but it may or may not be the resource she needs for her research.
Flavia's struggle represents a broader need throughout Argentina and South America. Access to ongoing theological education and resources is minimal. "We praise the Lord that Seminario Carey can offer theological training through our professors' online classes," says Sam Masters, the Rector and Founder of the seminary, "however we are confident when we say that our list of professors is not the end-all of theological teachers! To offer solid academic training to South American church leaders, we want to provide them access to C.S. Lewis, St. Augustine, Athanasius, and hundreds of other biblical teachers throughout the ages. This will allow students to go deeper into their understanding of the Word as they can consult with some of the most esteemed commentators on the Bible and church history."
This library will not be limited to students of Seminario Carey.
Our renovation plans include spaces where anyone interested in deep Biblical study can come and spend extended time learning more. Sam breaks down the idea: "Tables, comfortable chairs, scanners, and computers are all within the scope of the library construction and will convert the space into a practical study hub for anyone needing access to multiple theological volumes. In time we hope to be able to provide service to Latin church leaders abroad by offering scans of certain texts or historical writings that can help them as they research doctrinal theses or write their own Christian books."
This theological library will certainly assist seminary students in digging deeper into their understanding of the Bible. It also will be an invaluable resource for local pastors, who may need doctrinal or topical resources to guide their preaching or church vision. However, our aim with this library is to impact beyond the drivable distance around Córdoba, where the library will be housed. In contrast to the 50-book collection that Flavia has thumbed through at her friend's house, we hope to eventually help fill this library with a total of 5000 volumes, making this the first significant collection of reformed theological writing available in the country of Argentina, and that we know of, South America in general. This coming year we aim to start filling the shelves as quickly as possible with entire Spanish collections from well-known Hispanic publishers.
Our initial goal for this project is $12,000. Your end-of-year gift of $50, $100, or $500 makes it happen.
We've seen in the past how US partners have stepped in at the right moment to enhance the ministry efforts of Seminario Bíblico William Carey; we are again at the cusp of one of those moments. Your end-of-year donation will provide theological books that will impact students and church leaders by giving them access to a lifetime of learning. This project has the potential to open worlds of knowledge, not just for our friend Flavia but for all students of the Bible throughout the entire Spanish-speaking world.
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