Thanks to the cooperative efforts of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO), several churches and others, a refurbished Ford van soon will be on its way to serve the Baptist Seminary of the South (Seminario Teologica Bautista Del Sur), which is the leadership center of the BGCO partnership in the Mexican state of Guerrero.
Officials with the seminary transport students, pastors, and mission teams from Oklahoma all over the state, said Tim Richardson of Operation Mission Mexico, the Board of Directors of the Seminary in San Jeronimito, Guerrero, Mexico.
“Churches and friends here in Oklahoma saw the need to update the worn out vans that had been donated to the seminary years earlier,” Richardson said.
The BGCO partnered with Mustang, Chisholm Heights; Edmond, Waterloo Road; Wichita, Kan., Country Acres and Bonham, Texas, New Zion to purchase another van.
“In a matter of seven weeks, these churches and several individuals gave $13,000 to purchase a used van and send it to Mexico,” Richardson added
Ron Fannin, recently retired BGCO senior associate executive director, coordinated the purchase and the repairs that were needed to get the vehicle ready to go.
BGCO Disaster Relief Director Sam Porter donated a small trailer that will be used by the seminary to haul luggage, supplies, and musical instruments.
Jon Prebe from Chisholm Heights provided repairs, including a compressor and shock absorbers. Ken Bryan and Randy Smith from Chisholm Heights will transport the van to the border, where they will be met by a Mexican pastor and facilitate the title transfer.
“Our goal is that they will sell the old van and put the money into a repair fund and then next year, we will buy another van,” Richardson said.
