UCM School of Pastoral Leadership

382 Pastors Enrolled, 308 Present! --- June, 2010

The UCM School for Pastors provides evangelism and discipleship training to God-called Nicaraguan pastors already serving in the language and culture of their home country.

Imagine being called by God to serve as a pastor, but feeling helpless with no money to buy basic helps like a Study Bible, a Bible Dictionary, or a commentary. Even worse, they have no money to obtain Biblical training. The UCM School of Pastoral Leadership in Jinotega, Nicaragua, helps meet those needs.

UCM’s Pastor-Church Coordinators are in the mission field daily identifying and educating active pastors who desire to enhance their ministry skills and understanding of God’s word. Once identified, these pastors are invited to enroll in the UCM School of Pastoral Leadership.

To receive the free training, pastors must be in agreement with the UCM Statement of Beliefs. The school’s goal is to come alongside pastors from non-denominational as well as churches from various denominations to assist them in fulfilling their call to ministry. We believe the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ is the common factor that transcends our differences.

Along with UCM staff in Nicaragua, skilled seminary-trained pastoral teachers from the United States who are bi-lingual teach the classes. The UCM Pastor-Church Coordinators are on the field assisting pastors with their work between sessions.

The curriculum is Christ centered in theology and practice and is totally Biblically based. Emphasis is placed upon evangelism and discipleship. Another major goal is to equip the churches identified through the school that are in need of Bibles, Christian tracts, Sunday School literature, Vacation Bible School literature and other discipleship training material.

Of the 38 pastors enrolled in the first two classes held in June 2008, only one of the 28 pastors who completed the work had a Study Bible. Only one had a Bible dictionary and only one had a commentary. About 50 percent of their wives did not even have Bibles. Pastors often have to choose between providing food for their family or pursuing an education. As a result, UCM made the decision that all expenses that would deter a pastor from receiving training would be provided free of charge if funds are available.

June, 2008

A gift of $250 per year will provide a Pastoral Scholarship which includes lodging, meals, textbooks, school supplies, class instruction, and either a Study Bible and a Bible Dictionary or a Bible Commentary.

The June 2009 school trained 162 Nicaraguan pastors. We had hoped the January 2010 enrollment would exceed 200 pastors, but it surpased our expectations when 245 attended! God is blessing this ministry in a wonderful way, providing an atmosphere of His presence that inspires mission team members and students in an indescribable way. That feeling inspired them to invite other pastor friends. By June, 2010, the enrollment grew to 382, and by February, 2011, to 557 pastors!

June, 2009