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Introduction
This webpage is to honor the life and ministry of Beryl (Cristina) Green (1927-2002), a New Zealand missionary to Costa Rica and Panama for nearly 40 years. The amazing impact of her work in those countries has not really been appreciated in New Zealand. This is partly because Beryl herself was not one to boast of her achievements and partly because she lived and travelled in remote areas at a time when communications were restricted to post or person.
It
will only be when the crowns are handed out in heaven that the extent of Beryl’s work and influence will be revealed and rewarded. We have chosen to present a brief biographical sketch followed by photographs, testimonies and accounts of Beryl and her ministry from people who have visited Panama or knew of her work in some way. We hope that you will be inspired and blessed as you read these accounts. Beryl’s work invites us to press into the same level of anointing she had to impact a nation for Jesus.
About Beryl
Beryl Green was born in Wellington in 1927. She was one of five children. She attended St Margaret’s School and College for girls and then studied accountancy at Victoria University. She also attended Teachers Training College and spent some time teaching in Samoa.
Inthe late 1950s, Beryl travelled to the USA to attend the Assemblies of God Central Bible Institute in Springfield Missouri. She majored in Missions and played an active part in student life participating in the Outstation Squad, Story Hour, Street Meeting Squad, String Ensemble and the Mission Squad. After 18 months of studies Beryl graduated in 1959 at the age of 32 with a grade point average of 3.0 out of a possible 3.0. Beryl then travelled to Costa Rica where she studied spanish and took part in a number of missionary activities.
Inthe early 1970s, in her mid-40s, Beryl moved to Panama, the country in which she spent most of the rest of her life. Beryl worked among many indigenous tribes throughout Panama. The local people could not pronounce her name so she became known to them as Christina because she was as Christ to the people. Beryl’s main emphasis was on discipling and training Panamanians to reach their own people. Altogether she founded 11 Bible Colleges throughout Panama. Amongst her first converts and Bible School graduates was a group of men who became known as ‘Beryl’s boys’. Many of these men now hold senior leadership positions in Panama and Costa Rica. One of these, Julio Valdes, worked and travelled extensively with Beryl during her time in Panama. As well as being a member of the executive of the Assemblies of God in Panama, he established the Hope-Green Foundation after Beryl’s death has continued her work, establishing an additional 10 Bible Colleges and now overseas around 800 churches, 1300 Pastors and all 21 Bible Schools.
Reports
Click the links below and hear from those that knew Beryl and/or visited her work in Panama
