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Ministry in the City

This course has two components: 1) The 5-day course serves as an introduction to the Cross-cultural and Spanish Immersion program and provides participants the opportunity for experiential learning among the eight urban congregations of the New City Parish. We model the style of teaching and learning typical of our urban settings in which there is heavy emphasis on experience and reflection. 2) The 2-week Cross-Cultural & Spanish Language Immersion provides participants the opportunity to begin or continue the process of learning Spanish and Latin American culture, along with experiencing the reality of Latino and African descent families who live in Los Angeles. Participants share in a variety of multicultural experiences with our families, churches and community, learn about the work of urban nonprofits, study and reflect on relevant Bible themes, and train in the Spanish language in small groups with professional teachers from CETLALIC, Cuernavaca, Mexico (www.cetlalic.org.mx). The program is a continuation of the 5 day Ministry in the City course.

The instructors follow the methodology of the Comunidades de Base of South and Central America: SEE the reality, REFLECT on how Scripture speaks to that reality, and ACT as a result of what has been learned. The contents of the diverse activities support the work of the participants as pastors and activists. This is a unique program in Los Angeles, supporting and using the methodology of “popular education” of Paulo Frierie in teaching Spanish to those for whom it is not a native tongue. There will be a 3-5-page paper, due within two months.