LOCATION: WorldWide  

Vision Statement: 

We are Gustavo and Ceci Rizzo. We have been dedicated to pastoral and missionary ministry and teaching for the past 30+ years. God blessed us with three children. Originally from Argentina, the Lord called us to Canada in 2001. Since then, using this country as our base, we have had the opportunity to serve in many places, including those that are very hostile to the gospel. 

In recent decades, we have seen the Church grow in many parts of the world at an astonishing rate. New faith communities are being established in remote areas with little or no access to the resources and benefits available in larger cities.

This growth is a great blessing. The Word is being preached, new believers are coming to Christ, and workers are responding to the Lord’s call to serve in leadership and pastoral roles. Yet, with this growth comes an urgent need: biblical and theological education for those who are serving the Church. 

Our vision is to help strengthen the global Church by equipping leaders and workers with the biblical, theological, and practical preparation they need to faithfully fulfill their calling. 

We believe that healthy churches require well-equipped leaders, and that theological education should be accessible even in places where traditional educational opportunities are limited or nonexistent.

Through this work, we seek to expand the vision of global missions, develop leaders, and bring quality biblical and theological training to communities around the world.

Ministry Focus : 

As part of the Mission Global initiative, through its educational arm GlobalEd, we provide biblical and theological instruction through:

• In-person seminars
• Online classes
• Personal mentoring
• Ministry training programs
• Other training opportunities as God opens the doors

We serve as GlobalEd Leadership Development Specialists, focusing particularly on developing and equipping leaders for ministry.

Over the past year, we have also added the Ministry Essentials Training Program (METP) to the resources already available through the PAOC.

METP is a program of the PAOC GlobalEd Institute that focuses on non-formal ministry training in global contexts. Its flexibility allows it to be adapted to different cultures, languages, and ministry settings.

The program is growing rapidly, with a presence in more than 20 countries and translations into multiple languages. In several countries, METP has expanded to multiple locations, reaching hundreds of students.

Through the curriculum, facilitators, and ministry partners, churches are being strengthened and leaders and workers are being trained in the Word—especially in places where access to formal biblical and theological education is limited or nonexistent.

With God’s help, we will continue:

• Training and mentoring future workers.
• Providing biblical and missionary formation.
• Serving local and international communities.
• Equipping leaders for ministry.
• Expanding the vision of global missions.

Ministry History: 

As the Church has expanded into new regions and communities, we have increasingly encountered leaders and workers who are faithfully serving but have limited access to theological education.

Our work in and from Canada began in 2001. Since then, we have been able to serve God in many remote areas, such as the Peruvian jungle, the mountains of Mexico, northern Canada, Central Asia, and Israel, among others, as well as the Latino church in the United States.

The addition of METP during the past year has expanded our ability to serve leaders in global contexts. Its adaptability and accessibility have allowed the training to reach communities and workers who might otherwise have little opportunity for biblical and ministry education.

Our desire is not simply to provide classes, but to develop people who can serve, teach, lead, disciple, and multiply ministry within their own communities.

Prayer Requests: 

Please pray:

• For wisdom — that we would manage faithfully and wisely everything God has placed in our hands.
• For open doors — that God would continue to lead us to communities and leaders who need training.
• For compassion — that we would see people according to their eternal value and serve them with the compassion of Christ.
• For the power of the Holy Spirit — that every class, seminar, and mentoring relationship would produce spiritual transformation and lead to the praise of God and action in the world.
• For future leaders — that God would call, prepare, and strengthen men and women to serve His Church.
• For provision — that God would provide the financial resources necessary to reach new regions and continue the work entrusted to us.