Five students recently graduated from the Mid-Atlantic Network’s Hispanic Seminary (l-r) Elber Miranda, Juan Antoni Pacheco, Luis Rivera, Yamilyn Hernandez and Carolina Perez.
ROCKVILLE, Md.—At a July 18 ceremony at Montrose Baptist Church in Rockville, Md., five students, Yamilyn Hernandez, Carolina Perez, Elber Miranda, Juan Pacheco and Luis Rivera graduated from the Mid-Atlantic Network’s Hispanic Seminary Ministry Training Center.
Yamilyn Hernández attends Alpha and Omega Church, Silver Spring, Md., where she serves in missions ministries. Following her studies of missions in her classwork, Hernández participated in a mission trip to Indonesia. She received a certificate in church planting, a certificate in pastoral ministry and a diploma in theology.
Carolina Montserrat Pérez, a member of Camino de Esperanza Church, Cambridge, Md., ministers with her husband as church planters. The couple started “Street Lights,” a community outreach in a local cafe. They meet people, give away clothing and food and share the Gospel. In her ministry at Camino de Esperanza Church, Carolina has served as a teacher of children and youth, and assists in church planting ministries as needed. Perez received a received a certificate in church planting and a diploma in theology. She previously earned a certificate in pastoral ministry.
Elber Miranda, serves in the worship ministry at United Nations Baptist Church, Silver Spring. He also teaches children’s Sunday school, serves as an usher, is a family cell group leader and leads adult Bible studies. Miranda received a certificate in church planting, a certificate in pastoral ministry and a diploma in theology
Juan Antonio Pacheco leads the evangelism ministry at Alpha and Omega Church and has served as a deacon for five years.
He ministers by teaching and preaching in the adult classes when needed. Miranda received a certificate in church planting, a certificate in pastoral ministry and a diploma in theology.
Luis Rivera, is a men’s ministry leader in Washington Baptist Church, Rockville, Md. He also ministers to those in need, delivering food. In addition, he is involved in evangelism ministry, directs the ushers and is a deacon candidate. Rivera received a certificate in church planting, a certificate in pastoral ministry and a diploma in theology.
The Training Center’s curriculum is prepared so that each certificate may be completed in a little over two years. All three certificates can be completed in four and a half years, however, classes are offered two days a week for separate subjects if students want to accelerate the process. In addition to attending lectures students were required to complete readings, assignments, write a thesis and do fieldwork prior to graduation. To receive the diploma in theology the students were required to complete three tracks and attend two workshops.
Professor Alicia Mangieri presided for the special event and Rolando Castro gave the commencement message. Castro, Juan Jose Mangieri, and Efrain Lopez presented the certificates.
The scripture for the evening was from Psalm 119: 105-112:
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. I have suffered much; preserve my life, Lord, according to your word. Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws. Though I constantly take my life in my hands. I will not forget your law. The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts. Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.”