John R. Wimmer, 63, program director in religion at Lilly Endowment, Inc., died on June 24, 2020, after he courageously fought a battle against a rare form of prostate cancer, and exceeded his life expectancy by almost two years.

Wimmer joined the Lilly Endowment staff in 2002, and in his role as program officer in the religion division, Wimmer was responsible for nearly $550,000 million in grants that supported religious institutions across the wide spectrum of Christian traditions. These grants strategically helped congregations and pastors, denominations, and theological schools, as well as church-related agencies and other religious non-profits, strengthen their capacities to serve their communities and the world.” (from his obituary).

John was very instrumental in helping AETH to develop, submit and obtain grants from the Religion Program at Lilly Endowments, all of which have impacted the work of AETH in the last decade. In 2016, during our 25th Anniversary Biennial Meeting, he sat with leaders of Bible Institutes and other theological institutions to eat with us and listen to us. His advice and support were critical for AETH to received in 2017 the grant “Hispanic Bible Institutes Network: a collaborative effort for improving the quality of programs and for increasing the number of students and graduates”. Even, last February, he still took time to participate with other officers from the Program Religion to talk with us as we were ready to submit another grant focusing on AETH’s capacity building to better serve into the next decade.

Saddened for his passing but grateful to God for his life, our condolences and prayers go out to his wife Jan and their son David.

Happy are those who from now on die in the service of the Lord!” “Yes indeed!” answers the Spirit. “They will enjoy rest from their hard work, because the results of their service go with them.” (Rev.14.13).

Englsih text below.

¿A qué nos llama el Espíritu de Dios y el mensaje de Jesucristo en estos días de conflicto social? (12 de junio, 2020).

Para quienes servimos y somos parte de AETH, los cambios y conflictos que se dan en el mundo nos desafían a discernir cómo actuar en medio de ellos, movidos por el Espíritu de Dios y guiados por el mensaje de fe y esperanza de Jesús. Seguir a Jesús implica seguir su llamado de trabajar en la creación del futuro que desde siempre Dios ha deseado para todo ser humano y para toda la creación: plenitud de vida caracterizada por la justicia, el amor, el gozo y la paz, valores centrales del reino de Dios.

En días recientes hemos sido testigos, una vez más, de los efectos de una pandemia que ha estado entre nosotros casi desde la fundación de este país: la pandemia del racismo. Los actos de injustica racial, manifestados en la reciente e injustificable muerte de George Floyd nos recuerdan una de las tantas formas de discriminación racial que siguen arraigadas en las instituciones que dominan la vida política, social y, sí, también religiosa en nuestra sociedad. La respuesta indiferente y violenta de parte de líderes del gobierno al sufrimiento y dolor de los grupos humanos que claman por justicia racial se contraponen al mensaje central de Jesucristo de “buscar primeramente el reino de Dios y su justicia” (Mt. 6.33).

Todo esto nos llama tanto a la oración como a la acción. Por eso debemos preguntarnos: ¿a qué nos mueve el Espíritu de Dios en medio de estos cambios y conflictos sociales, que tienen en su raíz una crisis espiritual?

• Como padres y madres ¿qué conversaciones debemos tener con nuestros hijos e hijas en el seno de nuestro hogar sobre el pecado del racismo y la buena noticia de que Dios creó solo una raza, la raza humana, a la cual ama por igual?

•Como líderes de iglesia ¿qué ejemplos de dolor y qué actos de solidaridad debemos dar a las nuevas generaciones de jóvenes que están dispuestas a protestar pacíficamente movidos por una urgencia de justicia y por una consciencia social que no encuentran en sus congregaciones?

• Como ministros y ministras de la Palabra ¿cuáles deben ser hoy los temas bíblicos y teológicos que nutren nuestra predicación y enseñanza en la iglesia ante una sociedad que “tiene hambre y sed de justicia”?

• Como líderes de programas de formación teológica ¿qué revisiones debemos realizar a un currículo teológico que generalmente promueve una separación entre fe y justicia, salvación y vida humana plena, iglesia y mundo?

• Como discípulos y discípulas de Jesús ¿cómo podemos demostrar nuestro amor y solidaridad con quienes lloran, tienen hambre y sufren injusticia entre nosotros? ¿Cómo llenar los medios de comunicación social con mensajes de paz y no de violencia, de amor y no de odio, de igualdad y no de discriminación? ¿A qué organizaciones y movimientos debemos unirnos en su lucha por cambiar leyes y estructuras institucionales que mantienen políticas y prácticas racistas en detrimento del bienestar integral de las comunidades negras e hispanas-latinas?

El profeta Miqueas nos recuerda lo que el Señor requiere de su pueblo: Solamente hacer justicia, amar misericordia y caminar humildemente con tu Dios. (Miqueas 6.8). El apóstol Pablo nos recuerda que la fe verdadera en Jesucristo es la fe que actúa por medio del amor. (Gálatas 5.6). ¿A qué nos llama el Espíritu de Dios y el mensaje de Jesucristo hoy? A hacer justicia y a actuar movidos por el amor.

A nombre de la Junta Directiva,

Dr. Fernando A. Cascante

Director Ejecutivo.

What does the Spirit of God and the message of Jesus Christ call us to in these days of social conflict? (June 12, 2020)

For those of us who serve and are part of AETH, the changes and conflicts that occur in the world challenge us to discern how to act in their midst, moved by the Spirit of God and guided by the message of faith and hope of Jesus. Following Jesus implies following his call to work in the creation of the future that God has always desired for every human being and for all creation: fullness of life characterized by justice, love, joy and peace, central values of God's Kingdom.

In recent days we have witnessed, once again, the effects of a pandemic that has been with us almost since the founding of this country: the pandemic of racism. The acts of racial injustice, manifested in the recent and unjustifiable death of George Floyd remind us of one of the many forms of racial discrimination that continue to be rooted in the institutions that dominate political, social and, yes, also religious life in our society. The indifferent and violent response by government leaders to the suffering and pain of human groups crying out for racial justice are opposed to the central message of Jesus Christ to "seek first the kingdom of God and his justice" (Mt. 6.33).

All this calls us both to prayer and to action. That is why we must ask ourselves: what is the Spirit of God moving us in the midst of these social changes and conflicts, which have at their root a spiritual crisis?

•As fathers and mothers, what conversations should we have with our sons and daughters in our home about the sin of racism and the good news that God created only one race, the human race, which he loves equally?

• As church leaders, what examples of pain and what acts of solidarity should we give to the new generations of young people who are willing to protest peacefully out of an urgency for justice and a social conscience that they do not find in their congregations?

•As ministers of the Word, what should be the biblical and theological themes today that nourish our preaching and teaching in the church before a society that “is hungry and thirsty for justice”?

•As leaders of theological formation programs, what revisions should we make to a theological curriculum that generally promotes a separation between faith and justice, salvation and full human life, church and world?

•As disciples of Jesus, how can we demonstrate our love and solidarity with those who cry, are hungry and suffer injustice among us? How to fill the media with messages of peace and not of violence, of love and not of hate, of equality and not of discrimination? What organizations and movements should we join in their fight to change laws and institutional structures that maintain racist policies and practices to the detriment of the whole well-being of Black and Hispanic-Latino communities?

The prophet Micah reminds us of what the Lord requires of his people: Only to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6.8). The apostle Paul reminds us that true faith in Jesus Christ is faith that works through love. (Galatians 5.6). To what does the Spirit of God and the message of Jesus Christ call us today? To do justice and to act moved by love.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Dr. Fernando A. Cascante

Executive Director

We are proud to announce that Luz Zenaida Ortiz, a member of the AETH team, received the Dulos Award, in recognition of her dedication to excellence and for modeling Jesus in everything she does.

The Asbury Theological Seminary, Latino Formation Ministry Program, member and collaborator of AETH, honored Mrs. Ortiz in a virtual award ceremony.

Luz has been a student of the program for the last years and has shown a great commitment balancing her studies, family, work at AETH and her local church.

This is a well-deserved award.

Congratulations!

The ReDET team is ready to launch its official site on Friday, May 8. For six months a group of professionals has been designing, producing, and preparing all the content that ReDET will offer to its members.

ReDET has become a fundamental part of AETH (Association for Hispanic Theological Education), as a community of individuals and entities created for mutual support, collaboration, and the solution for common obstacles in theological education.

This website will provide us with a space to develop communities of practice among all those leaders and students of theological studies who wish to share experiences and challenges in their studies

Please visit us starting Friday, May 8 at www.redet.us. You can also check out our social networks on Facebook.

Amigos,

Estamos escribiendo hoy con una solicitud. Lilly Endowment acaba de anunciar su nueva Iniciativa de Congregaciones Prósperas. Esta iniciativa busca ayudar a las congregaciones a comprender y adaptar sus ministerios a los contextos sociales y culturales que cambian rápidamente. Una discusión más completa de la iniciativa está abajo

Compartiría este anuncio con líderes y organizaciones religiosas en su red?

Algunos detalles más: a través de la Iniciativa de Congregaciones Prósperas, The Endowment está invitando a organizaciones benéficas ubicadas en los Estados Unidos a presentar propuestas por hasta $ 1 millón que pueden usarse durante un período de hasta cinco años para desarrollar nuevos programas o fortalecerlos. trabajar directamente con las congregaciones y ayudarlas: 1) explorar y comprender sus contextos sociales y culturales que cambian rápidamente; 2) obtener mayor claridad sobre sus valores y misión; y 3) recurrir a las prácticas cristianas de sus tradiciones teológicas y eclesiales para adaptar sus ministerios a las demandas de sus contextos cambiantes. El objetivo final es ayudar a las congregaciones a prosperar mediante el fortalecimiento de los ministerios que ayudan a las personas a profundizar sus relaciones con Dios, mejorar sus conexiones entre sí y contribuir al florecimiento de sus comunidades y el mundo.

En esta iniciativa de subsidios abierta y competitiva, la Fundación prevé otorgar aproximadamente 50 subsidios a organizaciones que presenten propuestas excepcionalmente prometedoras y convincentes que promuevan el objetivo de la iniciativa y demuestren la capacidad de la organización para diseñar, implementar y mantener un programa de alta calidad.

Se pueden encontrar pautas y formularios completos en el sitio web de Endowment en: lillyendowment.org/thrivingcongregations

Como leerá, solicitamos que las organizaciones interesadas envíen un Formulario de interés a través del sitio web de Endowment antes del 17 de abril de 2020. Las propuestas completas deben enviarse a través del sitio web de Endowment antes del 1 de junio de 2020.

Chanon Ross es la persona clave de Endowment para esta nueva iniciativa y con gusto responderá cualquier pregunta.

Tenga en cuenta que valoramos mucho nuestra asociación y estamos agradecidos por sus esfuerzos para compartir información sobre la nueva iniciativa con otros.

Con muchas GRACIAS,

Chris Coble

Chanon Ross

Lilly Endowment Inc.

(Chris Coble es Vicepresidente para Religion en Lilly Endowment Inc.)

Below, we share this statement received from Lilly Endowment Inc.

We are writing today with a request. Lilly Endowment just announced its new Thriving Congregations Initiative. This initiative seeks to help congregations understand and adapt their ministries to their rapidly changing social and cultural contexts. A fuller discussion of the initiative is below.

Would you share this announcement with religious leaders and organizations in your network?

Some more details – Through the Thriving Congregations Initiative, the Endowment is inviting charitable organizations located in the United States to submit proposals for up to $1 million that may be used for up to a five-year period to develop new or strengthen existing programs that will work directly with congregations and help them: 1) explore and understand their rapidly changing social and cultural contexts; 2) gain greater clarity about their values and mission, and 3) draw on Christian practices from their theological and ecclesial traditions to adapt their ministries to the demands of their changing contexts. The ultimate aim is to help congregations thrive by strengthening ministries that help people deepen their relationships with God, enhance their connections with each other, and contribute to the flourishing of their communities and the world.

In this open and competitive grants initiative, the Endowment anticipates awarding approximately 50 grants to organizations that submit exceptionally promising and compelling proposals that advance the aim of the initiative and demonstrate the capacity of the organization to design, implement and sustain a high-quality program.

Comprehensive guidelines and forms may be found on the Endowment’s website at: lillyendowment.org/thrivingcongregations

As you will read, we ask that interested organizations submit an Interest Form through the Endowment’s website by April 17, 2020. Complete proposals should be submitted via the Endowment’s website by June 1, 2020.

Chanon Ross is the Endowment’s point person for this new initiative and would be pleased to answer any questions.

Please know that we highly value our partnership and are grateful for your efforts to share information about the new initiative with others.

With many thanks,

Chris Coble

Chanon Ross

Lilly Endowment Inc.

(Chris Coble is Vice President for Religion at Lilly Endowment Inc.)

Dear AETH,

We want to share a significant accomplishment that would not have been made possible without the contribution of AETH. Since the time that HGCC has held a membership with AETH and has navigated through the certification process, HGCC has made a substantial improvement in all areas from institutional to educational standards to finances.

These improvements have not gone unnoticed by local accredited educational institutions in California. As a result, HGCC was able to secure the first formal undergraduate level articulation agreement with Hope International University, a regionally accredited institution. According to the Pew Research Center, "about six-in-ten U.S. adult Hispanics (62%) speak English or are bilingual."

This opportunity will allow for bilingual Hispanic students to transfer over half their credits to earn regionally accredited bachelor degrees plus provisional acceptance to the master of ministry program for those who decide to receive their bachelor's degree from HGCC.

This accomplishment is unique as it is not just one that allows students to pursue a masters but rather expands to opportunities at the undergraduate level. This is very uncommon for most Bible institutes.

We continue to look forward to working with AETH and in making education accessible to our Latino/Hispanic communities.

Jeffry Caballero, M.R.E., M.L.S.

President, Harbor Genesis Christian College