Our Mísion Plan

While most people are planning their retirement, Trent and Debbie Wheeler were looking for where they might serve the kingdom in their golden years. A journey that ultimately let them to Panama. Trent and Debbie have devoted their lives in service to others. Trent served as the Director of African Christian Schools for ten years, did mission work in New Zealand, Honduras, and Africa as well as stateside church plants.

Debbie spent most of  her career in nursing, but has also taught children’s classes, ladies Bible class, as well as participate in campaign work on the mission field. She is especially thankful to be able to devote more time to God’s work in the kingdom, especially being able to work with the children in Panama. The Wheeler’s philosophy of ministry comes from Ephesians 4:12, 13 “Equipping the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

A Practical Approach to Missions:

The primary goal at Misión  Panamá is to empower churches to become: 1) Self-supporting, 2) Self-governing, and 3) Self-propogating. In a mission field like Panama, creating a self-sustaining work is nearly impossible without answering the economic needs of the church, preacher, and community. There are two basic approaches to mission efforts: 1) local works remain under foreign support and guidance indefinitely, 2) We train local preachers in viable trades so they can support themselves in the local community. Our mission is focused on the second option.

The foundation of everything we plan to accomplish is centered around teaching God’s word to the lost and equipping churches to serve. Our approach to biblical education includes:

Preacher Training: We have an established curriculum for those who desire to serve the local congregations as preachers, elders, or Bible school teachers. A copy of our curriculum can be found on our website at: www. mision-panama.org/report-2024

Leadership Training: Many of the churches in Panama do not have local leadership established. The Bible institute will have leadership as part of its core curriculum and we will host special workshops on the qualifications and installation of elders and deacons in the local churches.

By adding vocational training to the Bible institute we create “tentmaker” ministries:

• We provide training that allows our preachers and church leaders to earn a living wage when they graduate. Whether it’s welding, construction, bicycle repair, or wood working, they are no longer dependent on outside support.
• We provide the local community the opportunity to better their lives with a vocational education.
• Those enrolled in the vocational training programs are being taught biblical first principles and are immersed in the Christian community, allowing us the opportunity to lead them to Christ.

Building for the Future:

We believe it is important to apply the same philosophy of missions to our own efforts. It’s not enough for preacher’s, churches, and the local communities to become self-sufficient. This program is designed with the same values and principles in mind.  It is our intent for the Bible and Vocational Training Institute to be self-sustaining in three to five years. The vocational departments will include working apprenticeships and the products and services will help pay staff and run the program.

Example:  Construction and home repair skills are important needs in this region of the country as a result of the large expat community.  Building houses, pools, work-shops, pump houses and other items are always in demand. We already have a couple of U.S contractors willing to help us teach in these areas.

Our plan is to begin with the purchase of a bobcat backhoe. We have learned it is critical to building our own education center. It can also be rented out with operator to provide additional income. Next we will add welding, block work, a wood shop  and general home repair skills. Later we plan to add bicycle repair, electrical, and plumbing.

Building on Success:

We understand the dangers of trying to do too many things at once. The Bible Institute is the foundation of everything we are going to be doing and will recieve our full attention. The vocational school will begin with the purchase of the block press, wheel barrows, construction tools and welding equipment. We already have a building contractor from the U.S. who has been teaching construction crews in these skill sets. We also have other “skilled labor” individuals interested in working with the vocational institute. We will gradually add programs as it seems appropriate for this area and as local funds are available.

Moving Forward

We have located several prospective pieces of land that are in the general vicinity of David, Panama (Panama’s second largest municipality). The locations we have identified will allow individuals to easily transit to the institute by bicycle, taxi, or public transport. The 4-6 acre plots we are looking at will provide sufficient space for our immediate needs and an opportunity for continued sustainable growth.

Construction:  Our initial construction will be a covered shelter or pavilion, with a locked storage facility for the  tools and equipment. Completion of the structure will be part of the vocational/work training process with those enrolled installing block and building out the walls and work centers within.

Bible Training:  Phase One of Bible training will begin with special workshops on leadership, elders and deacons, evangelism and other topics relevant to the local churches. An emphasis will be on preparing local leaders to step into biblical roles of oversight within the local churches.

Phase Two of the Bible institute will be to offer part-time programs with classes also set up on a streaming network and all educational class videos stored on the institute’s YouTube channel.

Phase Three will involve implementation of a full curriculum of classes with students getting a Bible certification at the end of their two-year program. Students will have the option of completing their education on a part-time or full-time basis. All students will be enrolled in the vocational program. They will spend one day a week in classes and work under an apprenticeship with a skilled worker.

How You Can Help!

Budget:  Our goal is to raise $65,000 by the end of December, 2025 for the purchase of land and an additional $85,000 to fully fund the construction and development of the Bible and Vocational Institute. That is a target of $150K by the end of 2026.  This budget includes land, purchase of the bobcat backhoe, construction and welding tools, and block and concrete to complete the first building.

Work Teams: As we secure funds, it is our prayer that work teams will come and assist in land preparation and the construction process. We will also be requesting that anyone who comes bring certain specific tool requests. Quality power tools (drills, grinders, circular saws) are more difficult to find in Panama.

Ambassadors: To accomplish our goals, we need ambassadors who can help us reach out to potential donors, help schedule church appointments, contact faith-based foundations, or set personal fundraising goals.  If each of our donors committed to helping raise $1,000 to $3,000 we would reach our 2025 goal in no time.

A Working Budget:

Land  $65K

Bobcat Backhoe 22K

Initial Pavillion  $11K

WeldingEquipment  $8K

Woodshop Equipment  $15K

Shop Tools  $6K

Block & Concrete/Labor  $16K

Total:  $143K

Goal:  $150K

DONATE HERE  or mail your checks to:  

Creekside Church of Christ

3949 Lithia Pinecrest Road

Valrico, FL  33596