By Charles Fleming
FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida--Reports from sites in Latin America show that renewal was the word that seemed to capture what went on at this year's Feast.
Brethren were overjoyed at opportunities for meeting in small groups and in prayer groups, which added a deeper dimension to fellowship.
As a man in Veracruz, Mexico, put it, "We were given the chance to live out the love of our Savior by expressing it to one another."
Brethren came to a better understanding of what our salvation is and rejoiced in that knowledge.
Here are some highlights from the 1996 Feast in Central and South America.
The tiny site in Janauba, Brazil, was a relaxing and bonding experience for the brethren who gathered from different parts of this vast country. Coordinator Al Sousa was impressed by the eagerness with which some brethren took to the new worship format.
Melgar, Colombia, was host to 130 brethren who responded enthusiastically to guest speaker Raul Ramos' invitation to form small groups. The instruction sessions led to practice sessions, which led to an excitement to make small groups a part of regular congregational life.
In Costa Rica 43 brethren, including 12 visitors on a Travel Gallery tour, enjoyed an intimate Feast. The cultural and language barriers melted away in the face of the brethren's warmth.
Brethren from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala came together at Santa Rosa de Copçn, Honduras, for a Feast of family togetherness. The high point of the Feast was the ordination of three elders, two deacons and one deaconess. After the ordinations their families came to the front of the hall to congratulate them.
In Mexico brethren met at three sites, Acapulco (with 110 in attendance), Tijuana (a five- day celebration with 29 people) and Veracruz (100). Hurricane Hernçn, which damaged parts of the Pacific coast, did not seriously affect any of the Feast sites. There was a noticeable difference in the way many observed the Feast, as they focused more on the significance of our worship, than on the days themselves.
Brethren in Peru came together in a celebration of salvation and of warm fraternal fellowship.
One hundred twenty-eight made San Juan, Puerto Rico, their home during the Feast. The brethren were inspired by the visit of Pastor General Joseph Tkach, his wife, Tammy, and their children, Joe and Stephanie for the last few days of the Festival. On the last day of the Festival Austin Bowen was ordained a local church elder.
In Chile the brethren were hosts to a significant number of visitors and offered simultaneous translation from Spanish to English. A tour group organized by Travel Gallery was warmly welcomed and added their own warmth to the fellowship.
There were two sites in Argentina this year. One in Ezeiza, with 109 people, and the other in Bahia Blanca with 46. Children in Ezeiza who attend our neighborhood Bible study, but do not attend our worship services, came to services for the first time during the Feast.
Brethren in Montevideo, Uruguay, distributed flyers near the church's hall, inviting people to our Celebration of Salvation. Several attended services for the first time, and one visitor accepted Jesus Christ as the Lord of her life. Women's ministry meetings, evangelism ministry meetings and prayer groups complemented the worship services and social activities.
Overall, the Festival in Central and South America proved to be a coming together to learn new ways to serve and worship God. Brethren returned home motivated and better equipped to serve our Lord.
Janauba, Brazil 26
Melgar, Colombia 130
Costa Rica 43
Acapulco, Mexico 110
Tijuana, Mexico 29
Veracruz, Mexico 100
San Juan, Puerto Rico 128
Ezeiza, Argentina 109
Bahia Blanca, Argentina 46
Oct. 29, 1996 Worldwide News, page six
| WCG Home | Issues | Contents |
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God,1996