The Mayan Intercultural Seminary at Chiapas, Mexico is a regional center of the Seminario Bautista of Mexico, and the headquarters of the Mayols’ ministry. Even though Americans may be familiar with Mexico, few know about el México profundo, the original inhabitants of this continent. The Mayols’ ministry includes:
• Teaching at the Mayan Intercultural Seminary. Ricardo teaches courses in church and society and Doris teaches about the Old Testament. Both develop materials at the popular and university level.
• Working with the Mayan Intercultural Seminary to develop broader inter-religious meetings and spaces for the construction of peace and tolerance among religious groups.
• Developing intercultural spaces to increase race and ethnic tolerance. Teaching courses in inter-culturality and globalization.
• Organizing and promoting interdisciplinary experiences among faculty and students related to the social, political, historical, cultural, and economic experiences of people of Mayan descent.
• Organizing and promoting inter-religious experiences among women of different denominations and ethnic groups.
• Participating in the development and implementation of community-based educational and social initiatives through organizing and promoting solidarity economic projects and women issues with indigenous women
• Actively engaging unique issues of race, social inequality and justice by embracing a commitment to community collaboration. This collaboration takes different forms, including: enhancing communication between the seminary and the indigenous communities on issues of mutual concern; facilitating access for the community to a variety of social resources; providing associations among churches of the United States and Puerto Rico with indigenous communities; and participating in the development and implementation of community based educational and social initiatives.
• Providing academic and administration support for the seminary.
Languages used in ministry: Spanish, English, Mayan Tseltal and Tsotsil