From Charles and Carmen Fleming
By Patrick
Fearon
As 2000 unfolds, some Latin American WCG congregations are noticeably at the front of their Christian communities. They join hands with fellow believers and accomplish great aspects of the work Jesus Christ gives to the church.
In that regard, this update on Latin America primarily highlights significant strides being made by the WCG in Colombia and Honduras. As far as the region is concerned, the feedback is that congregations continue to consolidate and assess their strengths and limitations, even as members embark on the task of making a difference for the kingdom of God.
"Overall, the momentum is picking up in some areas, while others are in various stages of processing the transformation Jesus Christ has done in our midst," said regional director Charles Fleming. "It is obvious that Christ is doing great works, and that the Holy Spirit is working on the hearts of people."
Hector Barrero, sub-regional coordinator for WCG congregations in Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile and Puerto Rico, reports from Bogota, Colombia's capital, on a development in which the WCG in Colombia is playing a leading role in a project geared to strengthen and grow churches.
Following on the heels of a meaningful relationship built with The Bible League, Hector is now centrally involved with the promotion of the Natural Church Development (NCD) program in Colombia.
In February, Hector worked with Christoph Schalk and Randy Gonzalez of the Institute for Natural Church Development headquartered in Germany.
Christoph and Randy were on a visit to Bogota to conduct an NCD seminar for pastors of several denominations.
Hector reported that shortly after the NCD officials arrived in the country he accompanied them to the influential religious radio station, Nuevo Continents, where they did a 30-minute interview on NCD concepts, and announced the seminar.
Later the three attended a lecture sponsored by area church authorities, where matters relating to urban planning and the future development of Bogota were discussed.
According to Hector, most of the about 300 people in attendance at the lecture were members of ADME, a ministerial association led by Oswaldo Pinz, a friend with whom he had made a presentation on NCD concepts a few days earlier.
Later that afternoon Christoph, Randy, David Mosquera (a WCG elder) and Hector went to La Red Biblica, where they met with its director, Henry Gongora, and discussed legal aspects of NCD.
"Henry and I have been working closely to help pastors in different areas. Both of us are members of Colombia Hoy y Manana (Today and Tomorrow), an organization whose objective is to promote unity among evangelical churches for the purpose of taking the gospel to all corners of our country," said Hector.
The two-day NCD seminar began at La Casa de la Biblia (House of the Bible) Friday, Feb. 18, and had 78 pastors in attendance.
Sunday morning, Feb. 20, Henry Gongora and Hector signed an agreement with Christoph to officially represent NCD in Colombia. After closing the seminar Hector drove Christoph and Randy to the airport for their flight back home.
"Now we have 30 churches to start working with, and some pastors who want to be NCD consultants," said Hector.
Hector also reported that some pastors who attended the seminar had read the Spanish magazine, and were happy for what has taken place in the WCG. Some of them have invited him to their congregations to give his testimony on the WCG's experience.
For three Mondays in February, Hector gave the devotional at The Bible League, during which he gave presentations on legalism.
Hector said, "Our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy and grace has taken us from being considered a cult to the place where we are now leading an important project to help the evangelical church in our country become a healthier and growing church."
Further opportunities for interdenominational cooperation have been opened up for the WCG in Colombia, including the opportunity given to Hector to speak in other congregations. Hector said that happenings such as these have served to motivate the WCG members as they experience in a greater way the work Jesus Christ is doing through the WCG.
The WCG presents a radio program Verdad Vida (Truth and Life). The radio program is well received by Christians of other denominations and by non-Christians.
Neighbors in the vicinity of the church-owned premises in Bogota have been invited to WCG services (conducted on Saturdays and Sundays), and new faces are seen regularly at worship meetings.
Also, in association with The Bible League, WCG members have played an integral part in the implementation of Philip Proyect--a method where members are involved in teaching the Bible to new converts.
Additionally, the development of small groups is ongoing, and leaders continue to be trained for greater responsibilities in the congregations. Evangelism Explosion is also becoming a part of the plan in the development of the WCG congregations in Colombia.
Juan Laguer, who lives in Miami, Florida, oversees Worldwide Church of God congregations in Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. The congregations in general are small, but the members are strong in the Lord. One encouraging report comes from one of the poorest areas of the region--the northern section of Honduras.
"The Spirit of God is showing us growth in Democracia, a town 15 miles north of the industrial capital of San Pedro Sula," Juan reported.
Democracia became a virtual lake after Hurricane Mitch devastated the country late 1998. Much of the town was under 15 to 20 feet of water for nearly a month after the hurricane, according to Juan. Many families were left homeless and short of everything including food, clothing and housing.
With help from the WCG in the United States, donations of food, clothing and money were made to those living in Democracia. By stepping in to help, the WCG became recognized for making a meaningful difference in the lives of members of the community.
The brethren have now put up a small building in the town, where community members and brethren gather with eager anticipation to hear the word of God preached by WCG ministers.
In Democracia, Juan was instrumental in establishing a children's mission--starting with US$25. From the onset, this was an effort to benefit the little children--including those of the community.
Today the mission has grown considerably and is now a ministry of the North Miami Women's Ministry team, supplying necessities including food, clothing, shoes and needed cash. Through regular collections the women can put together an assistance package for the children. God has blessed the project, and its scope for expansion is great.
A director with TACA (an airline that flies to Honduras and many Latin America countries), is helping to facilitate a process wherein Juan is seeking to have the donations flown into Honduras free.
Needless to say, the children of Honduras (and their families) are extremely grateful for the mission and its ministry of love, which is sustaining them considerably during their moment of trial and hardship.
(If you would like further information or would like to offer assistance for the Children's Mission to Honduras, please contact Juan Laguer, 1755 NW 134 St., Miami, Florida, 33167. Telephone 1-305- 687-3872.
Appreciation for what the WCG is doing in Honduras is also found in Proteccion, a town six hours north of Democracia by bus. The needs in Proteccion are also great, and the WCG tries to help in whatever way it can. Ten church members along with about 45 members from the community come out to hear the gospel message presented by the WCG. "People are coming to the Lord Jesus Christ," Juan said.
The WCG in Latin America is marching on with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Members in general are enjoying the new approach Jesus has given to the church--including the new appreciation for our brothers and sisters in other denominations, and the opportunity to work alongside others in making a difference for the kingdom of God.
Although not all the congregations in the region move with the same momentum, reports suggest that a great work is being done in the lives of many members--even if for now, that work for some may simply be the quiet transformation taking place within their lives. As the future unfolds, the expectation is high for abundant fruits to be borne in the various countries of the region.
The members in Latin America request your constant prayers that they be efficient servants in God's hands to take the gospel to their peoples.
In Colombia, your prayers for safety and protection are needed as the ongoing civil unrest continues to be a thorn in the nation's side.
Pray also for encouragement especially for the small congregations throughout the region who have lost much of their membership during the transformation over the years.
And as always, remember Jesus' words: "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field" (Matthew 9:37-38).
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2000