Vision, mission and values

Vision

In brief: a new generation that serves God: rooted in the Word, filled with the Spirit, equipped to go and to love — in northern Argentina, to the ends of the earth. The school aims to become a solid and self-sustaining mission community in the north of Argentina, devoted to the formation and mobilisation of new generations of disciples for local and global mission. At the school, formation goes beyond the mere transfer of information; it aims at an integral renewal of the student. We see ourselves as an intensive, multicultural formation community, in which each session 10 to 20 students — with priority for local participants and with international students included — live together in an environment of deep discipleship. In that setting they grow at the same time relationally, spiritually and practically. Our aim takes shape in the balanced development of three fundamental dimensions:

1. Spiritual formation and relationship with God

We seek that every student develops a personal and sincere relationship with God, based on communion, intimacy and knowledge of His character. “Being” precedes “doing”; that is why living together and community life strengthen Christian character and spiritual maturity.

2. Theoretical formation and the foundations of mission

We provide a solid knowledge base concerning the purpose, the calling and the mission context, and we connect this teaching with the spiritual life, so that firm convictions and a clear picture of the role of the missionary emerge.

3. Practical formation and character development

Practice occupies a central place. Through concrete experiences of service the student is confronted and formed in character. In this, values such as humility, patience, teamwork, self-denial, surrender, discipline, obedience and readiness to serve grow. In this way real impact and integral spiritual growth come about.

Mission

We serve the church by: making the gospel known among children, families and unreached places; strengthening local congregations, not replacing them; equipping men and women in the Escuela de Misiones Zera: teaching and practice.

Equipped to go, called to love.

Values

• Word and Spirit — formation begins with Scripture and with a living faith, not with a programme alone, for:

  the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life

• Service to the church — Zera is not a denomination of its own. We lead people toward congregations and toward the mission of the church.
• Theory and practice — those who are called learn and go. The school without the field is incomplete.
• Family and team — the work runs through relationships: family, students, congregations in the Netherlands and Argentina.