Friends of the Latin American Biblical University

🤝🏽 Since 1975, our institutional work has been strengthened by the committed presence of the mission partners of the Presbyterian Church in the United States (PC(USA)). This year we were saddened to learn that the church had decided to close the program.

We would like to express our gratitude to Karla Koll, Mark Hare and Jenny Bent. We deeply appreciate their testimony of faithfulness, their commitment to the work of the UBL, and their selfless decision to continue accompanying the UBL during a process of transition, despite the termination of their status and salaries as mission co-workers. In this, they emobdy the spirit of partnership. 📚🍃

https://blog.ubl.ac.cr/2025/08/159/the-end-of-an-era-our-thanks-to-the-mission-co-workers-who-served-with-the-ubl-under-the-presbyterian-church-usa

🎉 “Margie Miller: Volunteer of the Century”, reads the back of the T-shirt gifted to Margie by the UBL during a celebration of thanksgiving for 10-year contribution as a volunteer. We have been thrilled to have Margie back at UBL, along with her daughters, Sarah, Nahomi, and Rachel. It has been a time of gathering, remembering, celebrating, and giving thanks for her contribution to UBL and to the lives of the many people Margie has blessed.

Margie has contributed to several areas of the life of the university, including the library and promoting the work of the UBL. Most of her time has been spent, however, helping students with their Spanish writing skills and teaching English to a community of students, graduates and friends that has gathered both in the classroom, and since the pandemic, online. Some of her students gathered last evening to show their love and appreciation for Margie.

Margie’s love, joy and commitment is reflected in the gratitude and affection of every student, faculty member and staff person at UBL. She has brought joy to our halls and classrooms, and we are grateful for the light she shines. Margie will continue to teach English online as part of UBL’s extension program.

We are grateful for Vera's time at UBL through Mission 21's Professionals Exposure Program. Thank you very much, Vera! Your work contributes to germinating our dreams for the Girasoles Community Garden and the Rocoto Community Garden. 🌻

🍃 A big thanks to Chrys Meador and Sue McCuistion who have spent time with us this year through the UMC Mission Volunteer Program. In the photo Chrys and German student Merle Merdes working in UBL's community garden project.

Chrys M is serving in Costa Rica at the Universidad Bíblica Latinoamericana where she helps in the school's library as well as their new community garden project. Chrys reports, "The rainy season should begin in May, but we’ve made great progress with 2 gardens on campus."

Can you picture yourself serving in Costa Rica? Contact the Mission Volunteer office to get started!

🎬 From the 1960s onwards, the students would bring new concerns to theological reflection. The reality of Latin America became a central theme: the impoverishment of the majorities, dictatorships and political repression, revolutionary movements, the dialogue awakened by the Second Vatican Council. In light of this context, the institution deepened in its vocation and identity. A search that would lead to autonomy and latinamericanization, a pedagogy for social transformation driven by liberation theology.

🎬100th Anniversary Latin American Biblical University (UBL).

The mission and vision of the SBL and the UBL have always had a social commitment in mind. In other words, commitment to the transformation of realities of death. It has always been a polyphony of people, of cultures, of church traditions, of life experiences.

📰 Professor Karla Koll's newsletter for Presbyterian World Mission celebrates the one hundred years of theological education of the Latin American Biblical University in Costa Rica and the women who inaugurated this historic project.

https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/missionconnections/letter/celebrating-a-century-of-women-and-theological-education/?fbclid=IwAR378b9-Ru3_gPxLhg_8HzdN87qpWlokQjWRQR-bEILtOcyWOQMcfNdvL7k

The first class with Susan Strachan on October 2, 1922 This month, the Latin American Biblical University (UBL) celebrates 100 years of providing theological education here in Costa Rica.