Spurgeon College Highlight: Meet Raúl Pérez
Raúl Pérez and his sister, Tiara, moved to Kansas City from Juncos, Puerto Rico, in 2022 to attend Spurgeon College. Raúl is training for pastoral ministry through the Accelerate program and serves in student leadership on campus as a Resident Assistant, cultivating community and discipleship for fellow college students.
MBTS: Tell us about the degree program you’re pursuing and what you hope to do after graduation.
Raúl Pérez: I am in my third year working on a B.A. in Biblical Studies and an M.Div. I have enjoyed every second of it. The Accelerate program has been great for my academic and pastoral training.
After I finish my degrees at Spurgeon College and Midwestern Seminary, my hope is to serve as a pastor overseas. I do not yet have a place in mind, yet it is my prayer that the Lord would make the place evident over the next few years as I serve faithfully in Kansas City. I would love to be involved in the work of church planting, evangelism, and raising and training future leaders in the Church.
MBTS: What drew you to move from your home in Puerto Rico to pursue your studies at Spurgeon College?
Raúl: It began with my pastor back home in Puerto Rico. When I met him, he shared with me the things he was learning through his program at Midwestern and how great the program has been in his life. I was considering going to a college or seminary that could prepare me for vocational pastoral ministry, so Spurgeon College seemed to be a good fit. But because moving from home was something I did not want to do, I decided to embark on my theological studies journey online.
However, in August 2021, my sister, Tiara, and I received an email from Midwestern Seminary and Spurgeon College inviting us to a Preview Day during the For the Church National Conference. If we registered for it, we would get free tickets to attend For the Church National. Quickly after seeing the email, my sister and I decided to attend the Preview Day, joining a group of pastors from Puerto Rico. As soon as we arrived, I fell in love with the campus atmosphere, culture, and community. I met a couple of students in Accelerate and Fusion, met the director of Accelerate, Taylor DiRoberto, and met many faculty members, including President Allen.
God definitely used those three days to lead me (and thankfully Tiara as well!) to Spurgeon College and Midwestern Seminary. The joyful, Christ-centered, and gospel-centered community was encouraging and attractive. After coming back from this short trip, I decided to apply, move to Kansas City, and commit to having five intentional years of formal training for ministry. By God’s grace, I am still here and enjoying my time at Spurgeon College!
MBTS: What experiences at Spurgeon College have most contributed to forming your personal walk with Christ?
Raúl: There are many ways God has used my time at Spurgeon College to form and grow my personal walk with Christ. One that stands out was during my second semester. I was excited to take Introduction to Pastoral Ministry with one of my favorite authors, Jared Wilson. As the class started, Professor Wilson gave a brief introduction to what pastoral ministry is and what it requires for those embarking on it. He said to the class, “Men, the most important thing is that you become a Jesus-y person.”
The statement is true. The most important thing for the work of ministry—and certainly, for the life of the Christian—is that we become more like Jesus. The most important thing is not having the best preaching skills, leadership prowess, or theological knowledge, but becoming more like Christ. This understanding has grown my affection and love for Christ and has increased my desire to behold Him, for when we behold Him, we become like Him (2 Cor. 3:18).
Since realizing this, I have made it my aim to become like Christ by beholding Him regularly. A key piece of beholding Christ is joining a body of believers committed to beholding Him as well. The local church is a glorious place where we behold Christ alongside one another. This truth has changed the way I serve others, preach, evangelize, and make disciples. Most importantly, it has changed my walk with Christ.
MBTS: What advice would you offer to future college students for cultivating healthy spiritual disciplines during their college experience?
Raúl: First, behold the glory of Christ. The most important thing in your life is that you become more like Jesus. Read the Scriptures and see His character, person, and work. Behold Christ by reminding yourself of the gospel and what He has done for you. Fill your heart and mind with the glory of Jesus and imitate Him. May the glory of Christ be the fuel for your devotion to Him.
Second, be a faithful church member. I cannot express how instrumental the local church has been in my life for cultivating healthy spiritual disciplines as a college and seminary student. Since my first semester at Spurgeon College, I have been discipled and greatly encouraged by many brothers in my local church. They have led me in many areas of my Christian walk and been key in helping me grow in Christ. So, college student, do not forsake your local church. Be intentional. Be present. Love and serve them.
