SBPC first met Jorge and Denise Barro and their two sons Peter and John when Jorge, a Presbyterian minister, was studying at Fuller Seminary for his Ph.D. In the years that the Barro family was in the US, SBPC helped to support them. Now the Barros are back in Brazil and Jorge is working at the South American Theological Seminary as a professor. This is the seminary that Jorge and his brother Antonio (also a Presbyterian minister with a Ph.D. from Fuller) helped to start.

The South American Theological Seminary is a non-denominational seminary started in 1994 by a group of Brazilian pastors and lay leaders who have a heart for training church leadership for Brazil and all of Latin America. The school currently has 180 students studying for a B. Th. (bachelor) and another 220 students studying for a M. Th. (masters) in theology. This school has experienced explosive growth from its beginnings in a rented facility with 42 students. 95% of the students at the seminary are from poor families.

The focus of the seminary is to provide a well-rounded theological education in the evangelical tradition. The curriculum has a strong emphasis on spirituality, missiology and pastoral work.

Jorge works at SATS as President of the Administrative Council, as Coordinator of the Doctor of Ministry Program, and as a professor. Over the year, he travels to many places in Brazil and Latin America, lecturing and mentoring urban missionaries. His area of concentration is with urban mission, helping to enable pastors and churches preach Christ's Word in urban settings.

Contact:        Jorge and Denise Barro 
                      SATS
                      Rua Martinho Lutero 277
                      Londrina
                      PR - 86061-680
                      BRAZIL
                      e-mail: jhbarro@sercomtel.com.br
                      phone: 55-43-321-0200
                      fax: 55-43-321-0200
                      url: www.ftsa.edu.br