​by Adriana Celis

Photo provided by Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS)

Curiosity is one of the main characteristics that define Marcos Acosta. It has driven him to have an open mind, to ask questions, and to investigate new areas of study and new cultures. This innate inclination to discover the unknown has led him to explore and study different fields of knowledge, from Telecommunications Engineering to the Theology of Divinity. Perhaps in the mind of a rational academic these studies have no relation to each other, but the truth of the matter is that, in the restless and always proactive mind of Marcos, looking for other explanations to the questions that life itself brings, is above the general rule. It is for this reason that he has had the opportunity to go to many places in the world and understand new cultures, to show respect for other forms of thoughts and professions, and to establish new friendships with people of different races, ethnicities, nationalities, genders, and diverse beliefs.
 
 
Life and works
Perhaps because he does not think like most people, today Marcos is living outside of his home country of Argentina. He is currently based in the United States and is married to Alexia, also from the U.S. He currently serves as full-time pastor of Homestead Mennonite Church, located half an hour south of Miami, Florida, and is an editor and writer in Spanish for Anabaptist World.

With an enthusiastic, committed, and very competitive attitude, Marcos completed the 5-year academic training program as a Telecommunications Engineer at the Aeronautical University Institute, located in Córdoba, Argentina. However, over the years, his desire grew to explore and know other careers. In 2018, he applied to the Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS), located in Elkhart, Indiana, to the Master of Divinity program.

Marcos received his master's degree in Divinity from AMBS in 2021. Under the tutelage of Professor Daniel Schipani, he was drawn to teaching, particularly about wisdom and pastoral ministry.

"Being wise means being someone who can reflect on the experience and, also, it means being someone who can observe the world, the biblical story and allows learning to continue reflecting," says Marcos.
 
Teaching at SeBAH
Marcos was invited to be a professor at the Hispanic Anabaptist Bible Seminary, known as SeBAH (Seminario Bíblico Anabautista Hispano), and teach the course Pastoral Theology that will be held in April of this year. He considers himself to be passionate about education, especially theology. Additionally, Marcos understands and is very grateful for the opportunity to dedicate three years of his life full-time to pursue a master's degree in seminary, which would not have been possible without financial help from the seminary, other Mennonite organizations, and individuals. So, given this opportunity, Marcos is honored to be able to pass on the knowledge he gained throughout his theological academic career with the Hispanic community and with ministers, not only from the United States but also from many parts of the world.

Thanks to his varied personal and academic experiences, and his continuous movement in life, his main contributions to Anabaptist education may be a little bit of everything. As the Uruguayan singer-songwriter Jorge Drexler says in his song Movimiento:

"We are alive because we are on the move. We are never still. I'm not from here, but neither are you. Nowhere at all. Everywhere a little bit."

In the same sense, says Marcos "I think that many pastors and leaders who take or plan to study in SeBAH have more experience than I do in pastoral ministry. That is very good because I believe that together we can reflect on those experiences and incorporate other resources and ideas to come out a little wiser and be able to serve better in this ministry to which we have been called by God."