OUR HOPES AND ASPIRATIONS: MEET THE CLASS OF 2021 Congratulations to the Class of 2021! Despite these unprecedented times and an academic year unlike any other, the Class of 2021 not only rose to the challenge but also flourished. We commend them on their fine work and their future ministries, and in them we place our hopes, aspirations, and dreams for a better and more peaceful and more just world. We are very pleased to introduce 12 of these graduates, who are going forth to live out God’s call to serve the church, academy, and world.
EFRAÍN BELMONTES Master of Divinity What is your hometown and educational background? I was born and raised in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. I attended a Christian/Methodist high school, Lydia Patterson Institute in El Paso, Texas. Following high school, I wanted to start my theological education right away. As a result, I earned my bachelor’s degree in theology with a minor in family counseling. Then, after I heard about the possibility to earn a full scholarship offered by the HispanicLatinx Center for a master’s degree at GarrettEvangelical Theological Seminary, I applied and was accepted. Now, I have successfully finished my master of divinity degree at Garrett-Evangelical. How has your time at Garrett-Evangelical shaped your ministry and calling? Being part of the Garrett-Evangelical community has allowed me to understand how the Kingdom of God was transformed and to discover effective and concrete ways to practice the Christian faith today. This faith goes beyond any closed entity; rather, it is made public and is in constant conversation with social justice. Hence, Garrett-Evangelical has offered resources and tools that have shaped my theological reflection and shaped me as a leader who accompanies, guides, and inspires others in faith and life. Garrett-Evangelical has given a new direction to my call, a more humane call that invites me to continue to draw closer to God as I draw closer to my neighbor. 8 AWARE MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2021
What is your most transformative experience at Garrett-Evangelical? One of my most transformative experiences at Garrett-Evangelical has been having the opportunity to explore the relationship between knowledge and practice. During these three years, I have had professors who have known well how to reconcile knowing with being in a very inspiring way. And that has been very significant in my growth and development as a theologian, and especially, as a pastor and leader. For example, the word “sentipensar” (a made-up definition of the word, to feel and think in Spanish), a phrase that I heard for the first time by Professor Nancy Bedford, has helped me to understand that my calling and vocation as a theologian consists of thinking from my heart and reasoning from my feelings. From this combination, I have learned that theology is ultimately a response to a wound; therefore, I find myself with the task of dialoguing in favor of the most vulnerable while I embrace, approach, and respond to their needs. What are your plans or your hopes for your future? As I have graduated from seminary, I recognize this might be just a start as a theologian, leader, and pastor. Nevertheless, as my vocation has always been bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to those in need, I desire to find/create a space where I can help, guide, and inspire others to do the same. Overall, I look forward to where the Holy Spirit guides me, along with those who seek justice and place love first.
