CETI Student "Makes Peace" with the Church
Carina Rojas (center) with some of her ministry colleagues.
Although Carina Rojas grew up in a Christian family, she saw the local church as nothing more than a “cold institutional face.”
Over time, the bitterness this young woman from Bolivia felt about church even affected where she chose to use her gifts.
“I decided to always serve the Lord in a parachurch ministry and never with a local church,” recalls Rojas.
As Rojas grew older, she felt God calling her to make peace with the church. Still, she had no idea how to begin that process.
At the same time, she was starting to take online masters degree courses with CETI, a program of theological formation directed by Christian Reformed World Missions’ Jim DeBorst.
Rojas says she was surprised at God’s clear calling when her very first lesson at CETI explored the history and role of the church.
“I realized I had two options,” Rojas said. “I could study the church cold-heartedly or let God speak to me through CETI. I believe I chose well.”
As she began the course, Rojas listened for God in all that she did. She listened and paid attention in every reading, in every homework assignment, and in every paper she wrote. Slowly, God softened her heart.
“As I worked through the course,” said Rojas, “bit-by-bit God helped me make peace and feel good again about being part of his church.”
Then the true test came.
Rojas wasn’t sure what to think when a pastor asked her to preach at his church one Sunday evening. This was especially rare because many churches typically only recognized the right of men to preach. It was time to put her lessons into action.
Rojas decided to accept the invitation, applying what she had learned at CETI and restoring an essential part of her life. This is precisely the purpose of the theological formation program, said DeBorst.
“CETI is centered around everyday life. It builds bridges between biblical understanding and a student’s participation in it.”
The number of students like Rojas continues to grow each year under DeBorst’s direction. The program is available in many Latin American countries, most recently including Cuba and El Salvador.
Today, Rojas serves as the general secretary at a large campus ministry program in Bolivia.
