The Semilla Story
by Jose L. Gonzalez, Founder and President
During my youth in Uruguay I deeply involved in politics. What began as a commitment to the poor was corrupted by my socialist ideology into radical activism. I was soon in over my head, so my parents advised me to leave the country for the United States at the age of 19. Thereafter until age 33 I lived a dissolute life combining a counter-culture lifestyle with radical politics in New Jersey, Texas, California, England, France, and Mexico. In 1979 I received Christ, along with my life companion, Diana. He promptly sent us from New Jersey to Virginia, where we were discipled and groomed for the ministry. (For more see His Story )
In 1982 I was called to Regent University to prepare for a global vision, confirmed and endorsed by our church. There I learned God’s principles for the government of individuals, families and nations. I was also called specifically to focus on Latin America as a prototype for other areas of the world. I have since studied the Word of God to apply it to an understanding of our history, culture and ideology.
In 1986 the Lord prompted me to found Semilla (Spanish for “seed”) to sow what I have learned in the hearts and minds of a generation of Latin American Christian leaders. After a tour of 18 nations in 1992, Pat Robertson entrusted Semilla with 110 scholarships to train emerging Latin leaders at Regent University. Proven and promising leaders with strategic visions receive advanced degrees which Semilla complements with mentoring and teachings on cultural issues and a biblical worldview. The Semilla family now continues to advance this work. (For more information, see LALP)
By convening a dozen international gatherings of evangelical Christian universities and Christians in politics, speaking at national and international congresses, and through several other international leadership networks I serve, we have reached thousands of Latin American Christian leaders. Semilla’s relational network is spreading the seed of “reformation by the word of God” which will in time transform our culture and our nations. (See Transforming the Culture)
During my youth in Uruguay I deeply involved in politics. What began as a commitment to the poor was corrupted by my socialist ideology into radical activism. I was soon in over my head, so my parents advised me to leave the country for the United States at the age of 19. Thereafter until age 33 I lived a dissolute life combining a counter-culture lifestyle with radical politics in New Jersey, Texas, California, England, France, and Mexico. In 1979 I received Christ, along with my life companion, Diana. He promptly sent us from New Jersey to Virginia, where we were discipled and groomed for the ministry. (For more see His Story )
In 1982 I was called to Regent University to prepare for a global vision, confirmed and endorsed by our church. There I learned God’s principles for the government of individuals, families and nations. I was also called specifically to focus on Latin America as a prototype for other areas of the world. I have since studied the Word of God to apply it to an understanding of our history, culture and ideology.
In 1986 the Lord prompted me to found Semilla (Spanish for “seed”) to sow what I have learned in the hearts and minds of a generation of Latin American Christian leaders. After a tour of 18 nations in 1992, Pat Robertson entrusted Semilla with 110 scholarships to train emerging Latin leaders at Regent University. Proven and promising leaders with strategic visions receive advanced degrees which Semilla complements with mentoring and teachings on cultural issues and a biblical worldview. The Semilla family now continues to advance this work. (For more information, see LALP)
By convening a dozen international gatherings of evangelical Christian universities and Christians in politics, speaking at national and international congresses, and through several other international leadership networks I serve, we have reached thousands of Latin American Christian leaders. Semilla’s relational network is spreading the seed of “reformation by the word of God” which will in time transform our culture and our nations. (See Transforming the Culture)
