COLEGIO AMERICANO AND CAUCA VALLEY PRESBYTERY HONORED

On October 29, 2009, the City Council of Cali, Colombia, presented the Silver Cross Medal (a high civic honor in Colombia) to the Colegio Americano and Cauca Valley Presbytery for outstanding educational and evangelistic services to the city and state during the past 81 years. Mr. Guillermo Arguello, business administrator of the school, received the award from Council officials. The mayor of Cali was also present and presented a written proclamation of honor to both institutions for these services. Special mention was made of the contributions made by Cumberland Presbyterian missionaries in the Colegio and Presbytery.

The Colegio Americano is a mission school of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and began classes in 1928, the same year that Cali Central Church was organized. During the early years in Colombia, all Protestant work was criticized and opposed openly. Missionaries and Cumberland Presbyterian leaders struggled to establish the church and school. Cumberland Presbyterian schools were the first to offer co-ed classes, non-discrimination of races, and religious freedom. These new practices were denounced as scandalous by the press and opposed by civil authorities of that time, but are now accepted as the norm for education.

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church can be thankful for this symbol of sincere appreciation and respect by civil authorities for the academic and evangelistic contributions of the Colegio.