Alberto, Carlito Germias
Carlito Germias Alberto is an International Global Mission Fellow with the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries, engaged in a two-year term of service.
The Global Mission Fellows program takes young adults ages 20-30 out of their home environments and places them in new contexts for mission experience and service. The program has a strong emphasis on faith and justice. Global Mission Fellows become active parts of their new local communities. They connect the church in mission across cultural and geographical boundaries. They grow in personal and social holiness and become strong young leaders working to build just communities in a peaceful world.
Carlito is a member of Quéssua Central United Methodist Church, Malanje, Angola, related to the Eastern Angola Annual Conference. He describes himself as an evangelist, liturgist, choir singer, preacher, Sunday school teacher and intern pastor. Carlito holds a Bachelor of Science degree in divinity from Africa University, Mutare, Zimbabwe.
Called to be a missionary as an adolescent, Carlito emigrated from his home in Province Lunda – North in Angola to study at Quéssua Mission in Malanje Province. Interning for five years, he gained insight into Genesis 12:1-3. “God called Abraham and promised him to be the father of all nations. [He said] whoever blessed him God would bless and whoever cursed him God would curse.”
“This simple biblical passage,” Carlito said, “motivated my faith to apply for missionary work.” Kutela Katembo, a General Board of Global Ministries missionary, encouraged the young man to apply for the Global Mission Fellows Program.
Dr. Leonardo Garcia Salgado, a Cuban missionary of Global Ministries, was serving as a pastor at Quéssua Central UMC. “He called me ‘Jeremiah,’” Carlito recalled, “because it is my middle name and the name of my grandfather who was a pastor. At the time, I was recommended in my district to study high school at Quéssua College of The United Methodist Church.
“Rev. Garcia Salgado appointed me in Manga Chapel as chaplain, while I was only 17 years old.” Offering the teen a Bible, Salgado told Carlito that God was calling him to serve at Manga chapel/Nazareth chapel (2013) and to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth (Matthew 28:19-20).
“I receive support from many people – prayers and encouragement to work in God’s mission, especially from Dr. Icel Rodriguez, Florida Annual Conference,” Carlito recalled. “I decided to study theology to be a pastor and to mature [in] my knowledge and faith.