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Questions about: Getting involved in missions

Jessica: (10/16/01)

Hey Jack:
I feel like God is calling me to be a missionary in a Spanish-speaking country.

I am currently in 9th grade and am in Spanish and will continue to study Spanish through the rest of high school.

What colleges should I consider that will prepare me for the mission field as well as offering courses in conversational Spanish?

Jack:

Thanks for your question. I praise the Lord that He has called you to serve Him in a Spanish speaking country. A lot depends on where you live and whether you are planning to attend a private college or a state school. Here are four I would recommend:

  1. Columbia International University, Columbia, SC
  2. Moody Bible Institute, Chicago IL
  3. Wheaton College, Wheaton IL
  4. Biola College, Los Angeles CA

However, I wouldn't choose the college on the basis of their Spanish program.

Almost any college or university today will offer courses in Spanish. However, the most important thing to learn in college is not the language, but your basic foundation for life and ministry.

If you study Spanish in high school, what you will need is practice. If you live in a place where there is a Spanish-speaking church, for example, it would be good for you to get involved, begin talking to people, and use what you have.

I would also recommend your taking a mission trip to a Spanish speaking country. One of the best is the Latin America Mission Spearhead program (check it out). You could spend a whole summer in Mexico, which would practically make you bi-lingual, and would give you an opportunity to do hands on ministry, beside.

Most of us who are missionaries in Latin America learned the language at a Spanish Language Institute in Costa Rica. It's a one year program divided into three or four sections. You could enter at your level of expertise.

May the Lord guide you step by step!

Jack

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