This week, the MFCA is offering its third course in Spanish - the course is RCA History, Missions and Polity as taught by Rev. Jhonny Alicea-Baez. This is the second course he is teaching for the MFCA; the first offering was also taught by him - RCA Standards. These courses have been taught annually at the Reformed Church Centre in Paramount, California.

This year's course includes six individuals from Canada, four from Toronto and two from Montreal. There are ten different countries represented among fifteen (15) individuals. Countries include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Puerto Rico. An eleventh country could be counted in Venezuela - Candidate Kirsten Shepler - Ross from New Jersey is taking the course because she needs it in order to meet RCA requirements in the Certificate of Fitness for Ministry process - she is able to take the course in Spanish because she grew up in Venezuela where her parents were RCA missionaries.

Among the participants are Meire and Carlos Rosa, originally from Brazil where the language is Portuguese. As MFCA candidates the Rosas find it easier to take courses in Spanish as opposed to English. The Rosas are planting a Portuguese speaking congregation in Montreal where the dominant language is French. The Rosas are members of the Classis of Ontario - exclusively English speaking.


Pictures are of Rev. Jhonny Alicea - Baez teaching the class at the Reformed Studies Centre on the campus of Emmanuel Reformed Church in Paramount, California. Pictured behind Jhonny are Felix Lescano, Carlos Arana, Daniel Castillo, Ana Mabel Renderos, Meire Rosa and Carlos Rosa.