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Interview with Dr. Humberto Fernando Bullon
Dr. Bullón was born in Lima, Peru. He is an Industrial Engineer. He has a Doctorate in Faculty Development in Economic and Social Studies from the University of Manchester in England. He did his post doctorate studies in Theology and Development at Oxford, England. In addition, he has masters’ degrees in Anthropology, Economics and Educational Administration.
In 1981 he married Dorothy and they have two children, David and Daniel. Together they pastored in Lima and later moved to Cajamarca. Finally, they moved to Costa Rica in 1991 to work at the Nazarene Seminary of the Americas as missionaries. Fernando y Dorothy teach classes in the master’s program in Costa Rica as well as in other countries in the Beyond Borders program (Cuba, Argentina, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador and Brazil).
Can you share some of your ministry experiences?
I worked with the International Community of Evangelical Students in Peru (1971-1979). I was a Pastor in the Pueblo Libre Church of the Nazarene in Lima, Peru (1982-1984). I worked as a university professor at the University of Lima and I directed a social development project. I have had the opportunity to be a professor of SENDAS for a number of years now, working in Christian Education. God has also given my wife and me the opportunity to write books in the area of missions and its development in Latin America.
What is a good description of your personality?
I wouldn’t dare to give a description of myself. I prefer that someone else do that.
C René Padilla writes: “Dr. Bullón is a person that has learned, as few others have, to combine the seriousness of academics with the activeness of social justice, scientific study with theological reflection, and the discipline of university teaching with the heart of a pastor.”
In view of the current tendencies in the global mission of the Church of the Nazarene and other denominations, what are the most important needs?
There is a great need for the mission to work as a whole, including evangelism, continual discipleship, informed service and sacrificially confronting the greatest social problems. The churches need to grow not only in number, but also in the manner in which they change the society in their country. This growth should be qualitative and authentic. The churches need to have more coordination and cooperation between the different Christian groups so that they can work together for the growth for the Kingdom of God as a unified force.
What are some of your favorite books?
I like to read biographies; they contain real stories that inspire me. Right now I am readying Social Fighters, which speaks about people like Gandhi, Mandela, Martin Luther King, Jr. and others.
Share an interesting story about something that happened during your ministry.
One interesting experience was published in Peru in 1970 in the magazine “Certeza” and it said this: The 30th of May I had shared in a Bible study about the passage in John where Jesus washed the feet of the disciples. The next day, an earthquake struck the region of Ancash, to the north of Lima, destroying some cities and leaving thousands missing and dead. Suddenly and without really thinking, a group of my coworkers and I joined together as volunteers and with a veteran missionary from England, we left for the affected region. On the way, we found various cities destroyed but decided to continue on to help in a remote area where no one had yet arrived to help. On the 3rd of June in the town of Quillo, while I was washing the wounds on the feet of one of the farmers so that the doctors could operate and remove the parts affected with gangrene, the Bible study about John 13 came to my mind. It was there, through a disastrous earthquake, that the connection between theory and practice was made clear for me.
What has been your greatest satisfaction as a professor?
To be helpful to the students, passing on to them the knowledge and experience that one has, and motivating them to be committed and to serve. Beyond the classroom, I have found satisfaction in writing and publishing for the future generations of students that will study after I am no longer here.
What is your favorite subject to teach?
Social responsibility of the Developing Church
Share three of the best decisions of your life.
- Accepting Christ in my life
- Making the decision to commit to Christian service with the church
- Marrying Dorothy
What event has made a mark on your life?
When I was 11 or 12 years old, I went to the beach with some classmates, and I did not know how to swim very well and started to drown. Another little classmate tried to save me and died in the attempt. In the end, another classmate was able to rescue me, but one of my classmates died that day. He was recognized as a “child hero.” That experience marked my life. It made me understand that God had a great plan for my life; just as my little friend had done, I was going to try to rescue others, even though sometimes it requires much sacrifice.
How do you define “personal holiness?”
I am not an expert in this topic, but Christ is our best example. I would say that personal holiness is living the lifestyle of Jesus, being inspired by the great servants that followed the steps of Jesus, like Paul who said, “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.” Many times we forget other aspects that are related to holiness that we need to work on as well, such as love, service and suffering.
How do you define “Christian service?”
In ministry life, service is a part of “taking up the cross.” Many times a confrontation arises between our personal goals and our professional goals, our ideas and our values, and we should give it all to the will of Christ. From what is known about the “paradox of the cross” we see that the fruit does not come without suffering.
What was the most difficult thing when you arrived to Costa Rica?
The most difficult thing was before we arrived in Costa Rica: being sure that this was the will of God for us, since we had other work opportunities and we wanted to be sure that it was the perfect will of God. Then we arrived to Costa Rica and adapting was not difficult.
What has inspired you to do all you have done?
A sense that I could participate in the revolutionary process of Christ in the Reign of God.
Knowing that I am contributing to the training of the current generation and the future servants for the 21st century, not only through teaching in the classroom but also through the written word and published works, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Future Plans
To continue training, in the best way possible, the leaders and servants for the Church of the Nazarene of tomorrow. I would like to continue teaching and writing books and articles as a service to the Kingdom of God.
If you could say something to the church around the world, what would you say?
Get involved; give all you are to God and to His service. Travel to other places; look for ways you can get involved. This will expand your vision and will permit you to discover gifts from God that you never knew you had so that you can serve in the Kingdom of God and His Justice.
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We at SENDAS thank God for Humberto’s service as a professor through these years. We are also thankful that after his retirement this year, he will continue teaching classes as an Associate Professor. Thank you, Humberto, for your dedication to the students of SENDAS.
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