DeLonn and Valerie Rance

LaDawn, Jorel and Shayla

Mobilizing the Church to the Mandate

and Equipping the Called

The following contains a project proposal and justification for a missions training center in San Salvador, El Salvador.  The wave of missionaries coming out of Latin America is swelling. In 1994 Assemblies of God church of Spanish speaking Latin America had sent out 60 foreign missionaries by 1996 there were 140 missionaries.  This year at a gathering in Panama the number of missionaries to 315 serving in 55 different countries of the world!!!  One of the key points of concern that emerged from this meeting of Latin American missions leaders was the need for adequate training for the missionaries.  Even before this meeting, the missions committee of El Salvador had approved the formation of a missionary training center called CAMAD (Centro de Adiestramiento Misionero de las Asambleas de Dios).  Valerie and I have committed ourselves to the fulfillment of this vision.

CAMAD

(Centro de Adiestramiento Misionero de las Asambleas de Dios)

Missionary Training Center of the Assemblies of God El Salvador, Central America

Although the emphasis of CAMAD is to gather together a mobile faculty who can respond to the training needs of missionaries wherever they are serving, the Department has recognized an urgent need to construct a base of operations for the Training Center. The Foreign Missions Committee has recommended building a new structure on the Bible School property to serve both the needs of CAMAD as well as the needs of the Bible School and Conference. This proposal was presented and approved by the Department of Foreign Missions and the Executive Committee of the Assemblies of God of El Salvador, and the Division of Foreign Missions in Springfield, MO.

DeLonn and national engineer Juan Pedro on building site

The Assemblies of God of El Salvador currently has 51 officially appointed foreign missionaries. In order to better equip these missionaries for service, the Department of Foreign Missions of El Salvador has developed a Missionary Training Center, which was inaugurated August 15, 1996. Since that time several missions courses and seminars have been offered in different locations and in various educational formats.  What follow are its vision and mission statement along with its objectives.

VISION STATEMENT

CAMAD's vision statement is: to see hundreds of Salvadoran and thousands of Latin American missionaries, empowered by the Spirit, trained in the missionary task, fanning out over the globe, effectively proclaiming the Goods News, bringing in a harvest of souls from all nations.

MISSION STATEMENT

CAMAD's mission statement is: to gather a group of experienced and well trained Pentecostal missionary educators to equip, train, teach and form missionaries and missionary leaders from El Salvador and Latin America.

OBJECTIVES

CAMAD's objectives include: 1. Training both career and short term missionaries. 2. Provide orientation to short term missions teams (e.g. evangelism, medical, construction teams.) 3. Equipping professors of missions for local Bible Institutes, 4. Providing orientation to national missions promoters. 5. Equipping church leaders to assist in the development of missions in local churches.

Building Proposal

The building will measure 16 X 25 meters (approximately 50 by 80 feet - see diagram for layout) and will include an auditorium for 150-200 people, a room for the library stacks, an office for the librarian/secretary, 2 offices for CAMAD personnel, a classroom measuring 5 X 10 meters (16 by 36 ft.), 2 apartments for visiting missionaries or conference speakers, and rest rooms. The estimated total cost will be $170,000.00. Initially $100.000 is being sought from US funds. These funds will include direct contributions ($50,000) as well as the involvement of 3-4 MAPS construction teams (with an additional $50,000). $25,000 has already been raised by the Women's Ministries of Nor. Cal./Nev. District in order to assist in the equipping of the Center.

The first block is laid

The proposed multipurpose building will serve the following functions:

1. As the library for CAMAD and Central Bethel Bible Institute.

2.The Auditorium will serve as:

2.1. A meeting place, classroom and study center for CAMAD when the number of students is between 40 and 200.

2.2. A study hall and chapel for the Bible Institute.

Over 100 three story deep holes were dug for the foundation

2.3. A meeting place for the General Presbytry.

3.The classroom will provide a permanent place and an appropriate context for the training of missionaries, missionary candidates and missionary leaders. It will be able to serve up to 30 students comfortably.

4.  The offices will provide an administrative hub for CAMAD's board of directors, professors and          students. Also, it will provide an appropriate setting for library personnel.

5. The apartments will enable CAMAD students (missionaries and candidate missionaries) from other    countries to come to receive intensive missiological courses by reducing cost of housing. It will also serve visiting professors and conference speakers for CAMAD, the Conference, the Bible Institute, ISUM and FACULTAD.

Jorel helps dig foundation for CAMAD

It is the committee's belief that this construction project will greatly enhance CAMAD's ability to meet the great need for missionary training in El Salvador and the rest of Latin America.

The need is for funds to build the Center.  Initially we are trying to raise $50,000 in cash to get the project started and complement this with 4 to 5 MAPS construction teams who would each bring $10,000 for the project.  If you would be willing to assist us with any amount, we would greatly appreciate it. Funds can be sent to Springfield to AGWM project # 7799.  If you are interested in organizing a construction crew please contact us by email at delonn.rance@agmd.org.

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