By Patrick Fearon
FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida--Charles and Carmen Fleming serve as regional director of the church in Latin America, in addition to directing the congregations in the English-speaking Caribbean.
Reports from churches throughout Latin America speak of thriving, Christ-centered congregations that are growing spiritually, shining as lights to the world and where people are being led to salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Exciting things are happening in the WCG fellowship in the 10 congregations in the Southern Cone of South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay).
Members are experiencing God in renewal, are developing their spiritual gifts and are engaging in meaningful ministries.
In addition, through the help of empowered lay leaders and pastoral teams, new congregations are being planted in Argentina, Bolivia and Uruguay.
Members are experiencing the mighty power of prayer and that brethren are witnessing more.
Salvador Barragan,
subregional coordinator for Mexico, Panama, Venezuela, Peru, Costa Rica and Nicaragua,
says "it is clear that the transformation that God made in our fellowship was a
blessing for this area. Painful perhaps at the beginning, but it has rendered good fruit.
"We have Christ-centered churches that are growing spiritually in relationships with our Savior," he said.
Hector Barrero,
subregional coordinator for Colombia and Ecuador, also reports on positive developments in
those two nations.
Mr. Barrero said: "I believe we have made the transition to the New Covenant. Members are happy with the changes. We are enthusiastic with small groups."
Juan Laguer, who oversees the North Triangle of Central America (Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala), commented about the "strong nucleus in that area that understands that salvation comes through the grace of Jesus Christ" and that "God is preparing a foundation for solid growth" in that part of the world.
Two part-time employees in the United States also serve brethren in Latin America: Mayra Bremer edits El Noticiero (Spanish WN) and coordinates translation of literature from English into Spanish. Ruth Gutierrez maintains member files.
According to Mr. Medina, the Spirit is moving powerfully in the fellowship in the Southern Cone. "We are keenly aware of a harvest that God wants to give this part of the church, and the groundwork is being laid for serious mobilization of every member for meaningful ministry," he said.
In Salto, Uruguay, a lay pastor team was commissioned, and more than 20 new people are attending services.
Brethren are witnessing more, are more ready to come alongside those who are hurting, and an estimated 60 percent of the members are involved in some form of ministry--children's, youth, visiting, counseling, music and preaching.
The children's ministry in Ezeiza, Argentina, is an inspiration to the whole region, and has brought new families to the church and into a relationship with Jesus. Children are being nurtured in the word of God and know they are a vital part of the church.
A fund-raising and outreach ministry in Bahia Blanca, Argentina, has virtually turned the church-owned facility into a community center. Offering low-cost dinners gives members an opportunity to let their lights shine, as well as being a fund-raiser for the congregation.
Salvador Barragan reports that in Mexico the WCG has 15 congregations and five Bible studies served by two full-time pastors, four elders and nine commissioned pastors.
Each congregation has prayer groups that have seen many encouraging responses from God. Some have been healed or have received protection, while others have found needed jobs or have been blessed with loving family relationships.
Mr. Barragan adds that it is inspiring to observe how God has filled the personnel gap by raising up lay leaders in key areas.
Armando Lasso and his wife, Arcadia, serve the congregation in Panama. Members there are scattered, but most of them meet for a worship service once a month. They too have seen God's intervention through answers to prayers.
The three congregations in Venezuela are served by three elders. Carlos Salazar serves in Caracas, Jose Medina in Valencia and Orlando Sanmiguel in Barquisimeto. Three deacons assist them.
Romelio Saavedra from Maracay, who owns a Christian bookstore, is dedicating part of his house as a meeting hall to plant a new congregation.
The WCG has congregations in Lima, Trujillo, Marcara and Piura.
The church in Peru was reorganized after the transformation in our fellowship. We have a new Peruvian ministry made up of members empowered to perform functions of the church. They have a sense of teamwork and are evangelizing.
An enthusiastic congregation meets in San Jose. They have received invitations to participate in Christian television programs. Lay leadership shoulders the responsibilities of the church in San Jose.
The congregation in Nicaragua is made up mostly of children. Otto Kohler and his wife have a Bible school where about 20 neighborhood children attend each week.
Hector Barrero reports that the congregation in Bogota has an average attendance of 65. They are served by one salaried pastor and two nonsalaried pastors.
Bible studies are conducted in the following cities (locations are shown with attendance figures): Armenia, 15; Barranquilla, 30; Cali, 10; Ibague, 12; Pasto, 15; and Medellin, 7.
In Ecuador, the Bible study group in Quito has five members, along with another 10 in Portoviejo.
Mr. Laguer, who supervises the church in the North Triangle, said that leadership is strong in the area and that a foundation is being laid for solid growth.
The church has two groups in Honduras: 50 members in Tegucigalpa, the capital, and 40 in San Pedro Sula, the industrial capital.
In Guatemala, 50 members meet in the capital, Guatemala City, with another 10 on the outskirts of the city. Two members, Cecil Najera, a construction engineer, and his wife, Berena, are completing seminary training in Guatemala.
About 20 members in Guatemala City attend the WCG's Saturday service, while another 20 attend the Sunday service. An Indian village has more than a dozen prospective members.
The congregation in El Salvador has 30 members. Lay members throughout the area have sacrificed much to faithfully serve the church.
Forty members meet for services in Puerto Rico. They produce a monthly magazine, Luz del Mundo (Light of the World), as an evangelistic tool. Fred Lopez is the lay leader.
Members in Brazil help out in their communities. Herbert Schmid is the president of Sofia House, a school for deaf children.
Late last year, Carlos Tavares and his wife, Yvonne, visited members in Brazil and were encouraged by the Christ-centeredness of brethren in the different areas of the country such as in Janauba and Sao Paulo.
Overall, there is joy, enthusiasm and positive anticipation for the work of Jesus Christ through committed hearts in the WCG throughout Latin America.
for Latin America
* Pray for more laborers for the big harvest that is ready to be reaped throughout the region.
* Pray for economic stability in the region.
* Pray about crime, which is on the rise in many places.
* Pray for the salaried and nonsalaried leaders that they be strengthened daily by the Lord.
* Pray for the members in general that they find great joy in living for Jesus and in serving the Lord courageously in spite of hardships.
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 1998