Report from Medellin, Columbia

30 Sep Report from Medellin, Columbia

Posted at 11:08h in Pastor's Pen by

Dear HLPC family,

I’m writing you Wednesday morning, September 28 from my hotel here in Medellin, Colombia.  Yesterday I completed a full day of teaching on Christology.  As has been the case every time I teach, the students have been great and very encouraging.  Seminario Reformado Latinoamericano has greatly enhanced their facility since my last visit here in 2018.  They’ve added a nice library named for Noe Acosta, “Acosta’s Library.”  This year they are recording my teaching sessions for use in virtual settings, so I teach under bright lights and in front of a camera.  It takes getting used to.

My hotel is comfortable, and in a moment, I’ll go upstairs to the restaurant on the roof for breakfast where I get a very nice view.  The restaurant staff doesn’t speak English, but I know I’ve entertained them with my attempts in Spanish.  I find I’m entertaining a number of Colombians that way!

Thank you so much for praying for me.  I want to do a good job for the students here.  Please pray I sleep well and avoid any illness.   Also, please pray that the quality of teaching I’m able to provide meets the needs of the students here.

Lastly, let’s be praying for the people in Florida as they deal with Hurricane Ian.  Our oldest son, Andrew, and his family now live in Ft. Myers.  I’ve been monitoring things from here.  I also hope that my truck now parked at the Orlando airport will be OK!

Your Pastor,

Paul

Paul Bankson
pbankson@gmail.com

Paul was born and raised in Birmingham, AL and graduated from Auburn University in 1986 with a degree in Business Administration. It was at Auburn that he met his wife, Connie. They were married in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and moved to Jackson, MS where he attended Reformed Theological Seminary graduating with a Master of Divinity in 1991. Upon graduation, Paul served as a Campus Minister with RUF, the campus ministry of the PCA, at Tennessee-Martin where the Banksons lived for 5 years. They moved to Macon, GA in 1996 to work with RUF at Mercer University and then Paul joined the pastoral staff at First Presbyterian Church of Macon as an Assistant Pastor in 1999. In 2004, Paul and his family moved to Warner Robins where he served as a church planter and then organizing Pastor of Houston Lake Presbyterian Church. In December 2014 Paul completed a Doctor of Ministry degree through Reformed Theological Seminary of Orlando. Paul and Connie have three sons, Andrew (23), Stephen (20), and Matthew (15). Paul enjoys grilling, camping with his family, and Auburn sports (War Eagle!).