August
As is usual for several years now, I went to Requena to teach the Word of God to leaders and people from churches who are studying with us. My traveling companion on this occasion was Pastor Vailete Velasquez. It was for him his first time in this part of Peru. Pastor Velasquez taught “How to Evangelize” and I taught “Synthesis of the Old Testament”. He had 6 students; I had 13. Those brothers have interest in studying the word of God, which encouraged us and challenge us to continue the ministry of training in that area. At evenings, we had preaching services at Bethesda Baptist Church. The preacher was Pastor Velasquez. We stayed 4 days in Requena.
The spiritual need in and around Requena is great. There is lack Bible training. Most of those leaders have little instruction, but they are doing the work of God and lead churches enthusiastically. We shared the gospel on our way to Requena and coming back; we presented tracts on the bus, on the road and on the boat. The people heard with interest and received and read the tracts we passed to them. We trust that God will use this effort to do His work. I ask your prayers for the pastors and churches in and around Requena. The work of God in these places are about 50 years old. God willing, we will continue going to help our brothers there. Pray for us that God will continue to provide what we need to go to that area of Peru.
September
On September 11-15 for the first time I traveled to the villages of Cochaz an Colpaz in the mountains of La Libertad Departament. In these two villages there are churches of our Lord Jesus Christ. Brothers from Huaral Baptist Church are those who preached the gospel in that area. The churches of both villages are one year old. I went to preach at the special anniversary services. I traveled accompanied by brother Carlos Amaya, who came from Huaral. My time in both towns was a great blessing to me. I was struck by the interest of the brothers by the word of God and how they praise the Lord with songs. Those who participated in the services had to walk several hours. During the services there were brothers who made decisions of consecration. Also, there were some who expressed interest in preparing to serve God in his work. The greatest need in both villages are men willing to serve and trained to do so. Both, Colpas and Cochaz are lack of male leadership. Both churches are led by two faithful sisters. Men are not in charge of the work. I ask your prayers for these two churches in that area of Peru. Pray that God will raise up men who are believers, to assume their leadership role. Pray also for opportunities there to train the brothers who want to be trained.
On September 23-29, I traveled to Lima to preach at two churches: Independence Baptist Church and Tahuantinsuyo Baptist Church. At both churches I taught on the Family. My presentation was focused on the marital relationship. Praise the Lord, in this trip I went with my wife and two of my children: Andrew and Elena. My third son was not with us because he traveled to Sullana with a group of Baptist Seminary of Peru. At Independence Baptist Church I met Marco Flores, who is a deacon in charge of the Church. Marco Flores and his family were very hospitable and kind to us. For some hours in the morning and afternoon, Marco and I visited some families of the church. I taught on Family during evenings. The church members gave their time to listen to what God says in His Word regarding the marital relationship. After each presentation we had a time for questions and answers. I spent a nice time reviewing this issue with my brothers of this congregation. I ask your prayers for Marco Flores and his family. I also ask for prayers for Independence Baptist. The church currently has no pastor. Both Marco and the Church need our intercession. Help them with our prayers.
After Independence Baptist, I went to the Tahuantinsuyo Baptist Church. All day Sunday I was with them. Here I also taught in summary form the same biblical principles about the family that I shared in Independence Baptist. While exposing the biblical principle of raising our children using the Word of God, I was politely interrupted by a young girl who was hearing the message. She interrupted because the congregation had laughed when I explained and illustrated in this time parents had to teach rather emphatically from Genesis to their children, that God created man and woman and that was not ambiguous genre. She remarked that because she thought that we were making fun of homosexuals. That interruption was propitious to explain to the congregation that we should not mock these men and that the gospel of Christ also had the power to transform and forgive them if they repent and exercise faith in Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 was vital to address the observation of the young girl while I was preaching. In Tahuantisuyo I spent a nice time. There are siblings with whom I have good friendship and enjoyed seeing them again. I am grateful to God for the privilege of serving sharing His word.
October
October was a special month because it came to Peru Pastor Gabriel Gomez, who is pastor of Gethsemane Evangelical Church, Montevideo, Uruguay. I know Gabriel thank my two visits to Uruguay. He is associated with the Evangelical Mission of Uruguay. My friendship with Gabriel grew thanks to his visit. Pastor Gabriel came to preach and teach the Word of God in the Baptist Seminary of Peru and other Baptist churches in Peru. He was in Peru from October 18 to November 3. During that time he preached and taught on the anniversary of the Baptist Seminary of Peru and the following BaptistChurches in Trujillo: La Esperanza, Ebenezer, Bethel, Philadelphia and Bethlehem. He also preached at Bethel in Poroto. He also preached Adonai Baptist Church in Piura, Jesus the Good Shepherd in Sullana, Bethel in Paita. He ended his ministry preaching at Good News Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, and a Church for deaf people in Chiclayo. In Chichayo he also visited and ministered in the rehabilitation center that directs the Missionary Juan Maco. When I was in Uruguay, Pastor Gabriel was very friendly and hospitable to me and my family. Now it was my turn to be his host. I had the pleasure of accompanying him when he went to preach in Piura, Sullana and Paita. I was an eyewitness to his ministry and enjoyed his teachings. It was a great blessing to minister alongside this servant of God. I know from his own mouth, that this trip has been a blessing for him. I thank God for the pastors who shared the pulpit with Pastor Gabriel. Thank you very much, brethren, have been a blessing for him and for me. I end this note requesting your prayers for Pastor Gabriel, his family and his ministry. Minister in Uruguay is not easy. There’s a lot indifference to the Word of God. Our prayers help our brother and our brothers in that country.
On October, 19 to 25, at the Baptist Seminary of Peru, we celebrate another year of ministry. If we count each year of ministry, we have until today 43 years preparing workers for the work of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. By the grace of God, since 1972, which was the year we began to prepare workers, more than 800 male and female students have passed through our classrooms. Our ministry has positively impacted the independent Baptist work in Peru and other countries. In Peru we have pastors and missionaries who have graduated from our institution and who are serving in churches of Tacna, Ica,
Cusco, Puno, Lima, Huancayo, Huaraz, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Cajamarca, Amazonas, San Martin, Ucayali, Loreto and Tumbes. Out of Peru, we have graduates who are now pastors and missionaries in Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela and the United States. Right now, by the grace we have students from Ecuador, Argentina and Uruguay. To celebrate our anniversary, our speakers were Pastor Gabriel Gomez (Uruguay), Franco Loyola (Ecuador) and Jeremy Estrema (USA). The expositions were focused on ministerial strengthen and deepen ties in order to fulfill the Great Commission. Each exposition was a great challenge for all who were present. During our anniversary, we also had Applicant Week, which is an event for young men and women who are interested in studying at our Seminary. They come to our campus for a week and participate in our activities as if they were students. By the grace of God, this year we had 20 applicants. We ask your prayers for them that next year all or most of them are studying and preparing here to serve our Lord. As is customary, during that week we made the Anniversary Great Banquet. On this occasion, participated in the Banquet over 570 people. Add to that the fact that every evening we had no less than 200 people in attendance to special meetings. We give glory to God for the appreciation that many people have to our ministry.
Gabriel Gomez, photos:
Cochaz, Photos: