Evangelical Covenant Church

Since 1987 we, Mark and Alice Westlind along with our three children, Nils, Natalia and Nicole have served as missionaries with the Evangelical Covenant Church.  Many of you have followed us through the years as we began our work in Medellin, Colombia, moved to the capital city of Bogotá and finished our time in the beautiful coastal city of Cartagena, Colombia 1997 – 2001. 

Our 13 years in Colombia left an indelible mark on each of us and we will forever be thankful to our Colombian brothers and sisters for teaching us the Latin way of living.  We are thankful to God for his constant love and direction in the life of our family and ministry.

In 2002 God surprised our family with a totally new direction when Mark was invited to teach 3 years as a rotating professor of Missions and founding director of The Center for World Christian Studies at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago.  Mark taught courses such as:  Cultural Dimensions of Mission, Mission Strategies and Methodology, Introduction to Missions, Latin American Liberation Theology, Missions in Latin America, Christianity´s Encounter with Religious Pluralism, and Understanding Church and Culture.  Throughout this time, Mark continued his Ph.D. studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois.  We are thankful to God and NPTS for the privilege of rubbing shoulders with faculty and the seminary community which enriched our time in Chicago.

Meanwhile, Alice was invited to develop the Parenting ProGRESS program at Ravenswood Covenant Church in Chicago.  This program is an outreach to teen parents from local urban high schools, and these young parents know the importance of staying in school and finishing their education.  The church childcare center (RC4) makes this possible by providing excellent care for their children while they attend classes.  The program Promotes Growth, Responsibility, Education with Spiritual Support (ProGRESS). This inspiring ministry confirms God’s continual call on our personal lives, that whether working with street children in Colombia or pregnant teenagers in Chicago, God’s message of love and justice are the same throughout the globe.

 “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.  Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31: 8-9

In 2005, Mark´s lifetime dream came true when the Argentine Covenant Church and CIPE ( the Confederation of Latin American Covenant Churches), invited our family to partner with them in Theological Education.  As Director of Theological Education for Argentina and Uruguay and Academic Director for cbCIPE, which is the Covenant Bible School for university age students, our focus is on the theological education and training of pastors and leaders with a concentration in missions and justice issues.  Mark is traveling and teaching extensively throughout the southern cone and loving it!  Paul’s words to Timothy echo in our ears as we train leadership to train others!

“The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men and women who will also be qualified to teach others.”  2 Timothy 2:2

As a family, we are falling in love with the beautiful city of Buenos Aires and find it is very different from our Colombian experience!  No frijoles, rice and platano here!  We thank God for all of you and your continued prayers and support which are vital to our lives here in Buenos Aires, Argentina.