Southwestern College Office of Admissions
Bearing Fruits in the Wesleyan Tradition
David Abarca's plans for his future ministry have a decidedly international flavor. This native of Costa Rica wants to work with Hispanic ministries in Methodist churches to reconnect with the focus and traditions originally established by John Wesley, the denomination's founder.
"I would like to help people realize the tradition and roots of the Methodist movement and go back to them," he says. "We have left our Methodist traditions in a huge way, especially in the Hispanic church. We don't need a new breakthrough; the things Wesley did were successful."
Abarca, a Master of Arts student, is following John Wesley's example of personal and social holiness. "My calling is to help people not just in the spiritual way, but in every way," he says.
"A lot of people come to America and don't know how to go to the bank or the grocery store. I want to be a blessing to them by helping them gain this knowledge that was so difficult for me to learn when I came here in 1999."
In the eight years Abarca has spent in the United States, he has earned a bachelor's degree in English from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas and he has lived in Orlando, Fl. When considering where to go to gain training for his ministry, he chose Wesley Theological Seminary because of its openness and cultural diversity and because of receiving a scholarship.
Now, he is influencing others to answer their call at Wesley, while he continues to complete the training necessary to become an ordained deacon in The United Methodist Church. He currently works part-time with Wesley's admissions and recruiting staff. Additionally, he serves at Calvary United Methodist Church in Arlington, Va. where he is in the process of re-launching a contemporary worship service and establishing a Hispanic ministry.
*This article and alumn were featured in the Wesley Theological Seminary website.