STEP Spotlight: A Conversation with Ramon Franco

As the Spanish Teacher Education Program (STEP) continues to take shape, we spoke with Ramon Franco, one of the leaders helping guide its development, about the vision behind the program, its importance to the Spanish-speaking Urantia community, and what has inspired him most throughout the process.

What is the STEP program, and what is its primary purpose?

STEP is a realization of the mandate expressed in 1955: “For the training of leaders and teachers.” This STEP initiative is being developed specifically for Spanish-speaking and Latin American communities.

It represents the next level of both personal and collective preparation, giving participants the opportunity to continue their development directly with teachers from Urantia University Institute.

What inspired the development of STEP?

Several ideas inspired the development of this program.

First, we want to give truth seekers and study group leaders an opportunity to advance to the next level of preparation and become teachers within the Spanish-speaking and Latin American community.

Second, we want to encourage teachers with greater experience interpreting the Urantia Papers to accept the call to share what they have learned with newer readers and future teachers.

And finally, STEP gives us the opportunity to become both teachers and students as we continue together on our ascending journey toward Paradise.

Why do you believe this program is important to the future of Urantia education?

We are part of the long evolution of our planet toward Light and Life. That future may still be far away, but even now we have the opportunity to participate in what has been described as a subsequent episode in which “the Word becomes book,” while contributing to “the birth of a new age of religion on this world.”

Through education and the preparation of teachers, we can help support that continuing process for future generations.

What has been the most exciting part of developing the program so far?

The most exciting part has been the interaction with my brothers and sisters throughout each STEP course and seeing how, little by little, we become more synchronized in mind and spirit as we work to make this beautiful project a reality for the Spanish-speaking and Latin American community.

It is deeply rewarding to see teachers dedicating their lives to this mandate first expressed in 1955.

“The book is being given to those who are ready for it long before the day of its worldwide mission.”