Mexico School Receives Certification
Located in a modern suburb of beautiful Hermosillo, Mexico, the Seminario Biblico Mexicano (SEBIME) was certified as a Level III, Degree-Granting Educational Institution by the Church of God Division of Education Standing Committee on Certification at its meeting on June 5, 2007.
In addition to offering a bachelor’s degree in Christian ministry, the seminary, led by Dr. Cornelio Castelo, World Missions field director, also grants a bachelor’s degree in music ministry and offers a master’s degree program under the direction of Dr. Daniel Castelo. The unique music program is under the direction of Annette Castelo. With over 150 full- and part-time students, the seminary offers quality training for both ministerial and lay leaders throughout Mexico and draws students from the majority of the Central American countries as well.
The campus consists of about three acres, located adjacent to an upper-class residential area of Hermosillo, a city of about 800,000. On the property are 10 buildings, including a principal building housing classrooms, library, faculty offices, and men’s dormitory; a modern School of Music building with offices, three classrooms and five practice rooms; an office building; a dining hall; women’s dormitory; four residences for teachers/administrators; and a chapel. The original building was funded by the 1966 YWEA project and was dedicated in 1967.
The certification was recommended by the site-visit team which conducted the official site visit on April 9-14, 2007. The site-visit team was composed of Dr. H. Lynn Stone, administrative assistant, Church of God Division of Education; Dr. Bill George, coordinator of education, Church of God World Missions; and Dr. Mary Ruth Stone, coordinator, Church of God Women’s Ministries.
In conjunction with the certification site visit, the team also participated in the school’s “Week of Consecration” with special chapel services and seminar classes during the mornings and consecration services in the evening. On Thursday, the team accompanied the student body, faculty, and staff to the Territorial Church of God Convention in Obregon where over 10,000 gathered for the annual state convention. The SEBIME Chaplain Abel Sanchez translated, and Dr. Cornelio Castelo, seminary rector, preached.
The site-visit team was greatly impressed with both the high quality of educational training and the depth of the spiritual commitment it found both at the school in Hermosillo and the convention in Obregon. Dr. Bill George, who directed the school in its early years, especially enjoyed seeing the growth and maturation of the seminary and the entire Church of God in the country of Mexico. Dr. Cornelio Castelo and his wife Annette, Chaplain Abel Sanchez, the faculty and administration and entire student body are to be greatly commended for their vision, commitment, and dedication to the Kingdom of God.
(Source: Covenant Resources magazine)
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© 2007 Church of God World Missions
