Our graduates are called, transformed, and sent to lead a life of eternal impact, and we love celebrating the life change they get to be a part of through the local church!
INTRODUCING
Zelmar Reyes Weydert
2018 Highlands College Graduate
Zelmar Reyes Weydert is a 2018 graduate planted at Camino De Vida in Lima, Peru. He wears many hats at his church, serving as a part of the pastoral team, high school youth pastor, preaching on Sundays, and producing a podcast and producing a podcast called “Haciendo Iglesia,” featuring his founding and senior pastor, Robert Barriger. Keep reading to learn more about Zelmar, how his time in Highlands College prepared him for where he is today, advice for those who feel called to ministry, and the incredible stories of how God is moving in his city.
What do you love about your role?
I love that I get to help students discover their purpose and God-given identity. My favorite thing in the world is to watch the youth experience something they never thought possible. Then they meet Jesus, and God does more than they could ever imagine.
Also, I love being able to produce a podcast that has helped so many churches in Latin America. It’s been four years since we started it, and we have over two million streams and 230 episodes. Each stream represents a pastor in a local church or a leader being encouraged and refreshed—and that is a privilege.
What do you love about Peru?
In Peru, you find people who, in a world of limited resources, do the best they can with the resources they have. We do a lot with a little; I love that about my people. We have the opportunity to build a first-world church in a country that some people might think is a third-world country. Also, the food is amazing!
Looking back on being in ministry, what stands out the most?
Looking back on being in ministry, the first word that comes to my mind is that it is a beautiful roller coaster. With ups and downs. Weddings and funerals. Disappointments and days filled with hope. It’s painful and gratifying. But in every season, I rest in the certainty that God gives us grace for every moment. My only responsibility is remembering my why and what I said yes to. I didn’t say yes to a title, a paycheck, or a platform. I said yes to intimacy with Jesus; from the overflow of that intimacy, I can ride the roller coaster and take one step every day.
As you reflect on your time at HC, what are some of your favorite memories?
My favorite memories are from Sundays at the Alabaster Campus: back then, we set up church in a high school and then took it all down at the end of the day. Getting to know and do life with the people at my campus, made all the difference. I met a family that embraced me as a foreigner and let me belong in theirs. I will never forget the people God put in my life during those two years. These are my favorite memories because these were the environments where I put into practice what I was learning in HC.
A throwback to when Zelmar served as a Highlands College Ambassador in 2018.
Zelmar translating for Pastor Layne Schranz at a Grow Leader event in Lima, Peru.
What’s your favorite hobby?
My favorite hobbies are going surfing, playing FIFA, and shooting film photography.
Favorite hobby or way to spend a day off?
I love escape rooms, pickleball, and being in the mountains!
What would you say if you could encourage a recent graduate who is just starting?
You graduated from HC but haven’t graduated from being a son or a daughter of God. What do I mean? Ministry is not about placement or a job application. It is about answering the daily call to die to your former self and embrace what God has for you today. Your best moments with God weren’t just during your HC days. Your best moments in God’s presence are yet to come. He has more for you. So take one step at a time and go slow to go far. Success is a long obedience in the same direction. Every opportunity you will get is about the results and the person you are becoming through the opportunity.
Serving with the student ministry at Camino De Vida.
Zelmar and his Expedition team finished in 2nd place in 2017.
What advice would you give to current or aspiring students looking to make an impact?
An extraordinary impact is built on ordinary days. Embrace the routine and the baby steps. Listen more, talk less, and always ask questions. Build character and integrity so that every area in your life is aligned under the same “why.” You didn’t sign up for a job; you answered a call, meaning you didn’t sign up for a job opportunity or a paycheck. God has called you to share the hope that transformed your life. So, remind yourself that you are not doing God a favor by being in ministry; He doesn’t owe you anything. On the contrary, being in ministry is a response to all the love and transformation He has done in us.
Are there any stories or testimonies that you want to share?
At the beginning of this year, we had a summer program called i7 for the youth, and usually, there are two types of students: the one who wants to be there and the one whose parents force them to be there. That was the story of Joaquín, a 14-year-old who was raised in an abusive household and lives only with his mother. When his mother heard about the summer program, she felt Joaquín needed to go, but she didn’t have the finances. She decided to take the bold step of contacting Joaquin’s father to get the money to go. It was a difficult step to take, but she knew Joaquin needed it. Finally, she got the money and signed him up. One day, she told Joaquin, hoping he would be excited, but to her surprise, he told her: “Why are you throwing away your money in this church thing? I don’t want to go.” Joaquin’s mom was devastated to hear this, but Joaquin agreed to come on the first day of the program. The first morning he arrived, his mom was worried because he was serious, but one person on the team welcomed them and told his mom, “This is normal. Some students arrive with this face, but it will change during the program.” She was relieved. The weeks went by, and Joaquin went from not wanting to be at the program to waking up early to get ready to attend church. Every week, he would take one step: meeting new friends, joining a small group, and deciding to get baptized. When Joaquin finished the program, he told his mom, “Even though i7 has finished, I finally found my place and my people.” I always remember this story because it is a mix of the following ingredients: A dream team willing to go the extra mile to create an attractive space for unchurched high school students to find their place and people. A mother who took a step of faith and didn’t believe his son was a lost cause. And a teenager who had a life-changing encounter with Jesus. This is why we do ministry.
Zelmar and his wife Karen.
We look forward to seeing how Zelmar continues to make an eternal impact beyond Highlands College.
We hope you enjoyed getting to know one of our amazing Highlands College alumni. Learn more about Highlands College and how you can get connected to our incredible network of graduates around the world.