A Holistic Approach to Serving the Community
By Daniel McBride
In spring of 2023, Manna University launched its first ever degree program to be offered entirely in Spanish. The Manna U Latin America team worked hard to translate the preexisting Certificate in Church Leadership into a new language altogether, in the hopes that students who previously would not have had access to Manna University classes could be educated, equipped, and empowered to better serve their local churches.
One student is Juanka Zapata. Juanka began classes with the first Latin America cohort to take Manna U classes in Spanish in 2023 and graduated fall of 2024. In reflecting on his experience, Juanka described his education at Manna U as “an extremely enriching experience where [he has] gained profound knowledge.”
Juanka already has a computer science degree and works as an administrator for a mining company in his hometown of Asientos where he uses his education and training at Manna U to serve in his local church. Juanka sows where he is planted and puts what he has learned to use in ministering to his coworkers, and is an example of a Manna University student who embodies the values of the university. To hear him tell it, training from Manna University has made all the difference.
“God has been working in my life in an extraordinary manner, leading me down a path where I need to practically apply all that I have learned at Manna to effectively expand the Kingdom of God here on earth,” Juanka says.
Manna University sent a delegation to Asientos in August of 2024 to celebrate commencement with several students there, including Juanka. While there, President Dr. Serrano, Manna U Latin America TA Carlos Ordonez, and Student Life Coordinator Daniel McBride got to see Juanka in action. Whether he was leading prayer, leading worship on his guitar, preaching the gospel, or baptizing people, Juanka was playing a critical role in his community.
