Coming Alongside
National Seminary Leaders
By Vanderlei Frari with Philip Richardson, Director of OMS Theological Education
Since 1901, One Mission Society( OMS) has been in the business of starting seminaries and Bible schools to equip a nation’ s sons and daughters. One of those schools is the Londrina Bible Seminary( ISBL) in Brazil, founded by OMS missionaries in 1954. It’ s a powerful testimony to see schools like this now led by national leaders who once trained there as students. Vanderlei Frari, academic dean at ISBL, shares his story:
“ When I arrived at the seminary at age 24, I had no idea what God had in store for me. I just wanted to be better prepared to serve my community. I thought I might become a pastor or missionary, but I wasn’ t sure. My biggest desire was simply to understand the truth more deeply.
“ The four and a half years I spent at the seminary changed my life. I learned a lot about the Bible and ministry, but what impacted me the most was living in community with professors and fellow students. Many of the professors were OMS missionaries who had left their countries to serve in Brazil. Seeing their love and dedication helped me believe that living for the kingdom of God was worth everything.
“ After graduation, I began serving as a youth pastor and worship leader. Many challenges marked those 10 years. Each new generation brought fresh questions and struggles, which drew me back into academic study. That’ s when I had the opportunity to teach theology at the seminary, stepping into the role of the beloved OMS professor, Hubert Clevenger, who was retiring. I accepted the challenge and started teaching during an intensive summer course under his guidance.
“ Around that time, the seminary was undergoing restructuring, and I began assisting with program coordination. For nearly 10 years, I balanced my time between church ministry and the seminary.
“ In 2010, when a new pastor arrived at our church, I decided to dedicate myself fully to the seminary and was officially appointed academic dean in 2014. Later, in 2017, I earned a master’ s degree, and to-
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