What is IBD?
The
Misión Evangélica del Uruguay (MEU) is the association of Uruguayan churches
connected historically with EMU. These churches are now essentially
independent, but we continue to encourage and support their ministries, not
only in the context of Camp Emmanuel but also by our participation in the MEU
Bible institute. Still occasionally referred to as “the first Bible institute
in Uruguay,” at some point it also picked up the name of its founder, Dr. Fred
Dabold. Today, almost eighty years after its beginning, the Instituto Bíblico
F. V. Dabold, or IBD, still attempts to do what the Dabolds began: train men
and women in Uruguay for the work of gospel ministry. In 2019 I took the baton
of leadership from Pastor Gabriel Gómez, who as a teacher continues to be a
valuable asset to the institute program. One day soon, if the Lord wills, I expect
to pass on the baton to the next person or group of people.
What does IBD look like today?
The 2020
shift to online instruction not only responded to the COVID-19 pandemic but
also ultimately propelled us to combine what had been two separate institute
programs. For many years previous, the Montevideo program met in person with
live teachers, whereas the churches in the interior of the country used
recorded video classes (from Oremundo) supplemented as desired by the pastors
of those churches. Beginning in 2023 we combined everything into a single
online program with two certificates: a 30-credit option (intended to help
train church workers) and a 60-credit option (more focused toward the
preparation of pastors or missionaries). The classes are currently taught via
Zoom by several MEU pastors and church leaders. Other courses are delivered via
pre-recorded online Oremundo classes, now updated. Approximately 40 students
are regularly enrolled in anywhere from one to six classes each semester. These
students live throughout Uruguay and, on occasion, in Argentina or Peru.
Students participate in the ministries of their local churches and in evangelistic
efforts in Montevideo and in other locations around the country.
Since
my family arrived in Uruguay in 2013, we’ve been part of both IBD and FEBU in
varying roles from year to year. The differences between the two institutions
justify their separate existence, whereas their similarities make it possible
for the two schools to sometimes share resources and combine classes. IBD’s
history, the trust it continues to enjoy among the MEU churches, and its
accessibility both economically and academically make it a viable option for
many beginning students. FEBU’s more extensive program and connection with a
wider base of churches positions it to contribute in other ways to the same
needs in Uruguayan churches.
Where does IBD go from here?
Here
are some of my assessments and hopes for the future of the Bible institute.
I
believe that the MEU pastors and churches are able to shape, direct, and teach
the Bible institute in ways that are compatible with and supportive of the
association’s mission, vision, church culture, and doctrinal emphases.
At
the last workers’ retreat we discussed options for more pastoral involvement in
the Bible institute. The three main possibilities we considered are these:
1.
Some pastors are able to teach an
entire Bible institute class.
2.
Some pastors are able to combine a
weekly Bible study (already part of their church schedule) with an institute
class. This has been done in the past with some success.
3.
Some pastors are able to teach one
or two weeks (2-4 hours) per semester in collaboration with others, sharing the
teaching responsibilities among themselves within a single course. A variation
of this is for a primary teacher to regularly invite another pastor to
participate at key points in the courses they teach.
Every
church that is aided by the institute (and, for that matter, by the camp)
should support it (or the camp) in some way. Pastors’ participation as teachers
is not the only way to support the institute but is an excellent opportunity
for them to commit to current church members and future pastors and
missionaries the training they have received and the valuable experience they
have gained in the ministry.
Every
pastor and teacher should continue to prepare himself both in knowledge and in godly
character evidenced in servant leadership. Annual conferences have been and
continue to be a great blessing in this regard. FEBU and other institutions
also offer options for continued training. I trust these opportunities will not
only continue but will also increase in their doctrinal precision and their
delivering of tools for pastors to do their own exegesis and theology.
If
most MEU pastors would teach one institute class per year, either as a separate
class or as a class combined with another church activity, classes could
continue to be offered at the current rate that allows a student to finish both
certificates within three years. Courses can continue to be supplemented by
recorded Oremundo materials as needed. The online Oremundo courses by
themselves provide robust instruction for the first 30-credit certificate and/or
as part of the second 60-credit certificate.
Ultimately,
the church trains her own leaders. The Uruguayan church is doing this; at the
same time, many needs remain. I believe there is still a wide-open door for IBD
to assist Uruguayan churches in their evangelism and ministry training. We ask
your prayers that the Lord would be pleased to allow this.
This post first appeared in the EMU Newsletter (August 2026).
