Latin American Missionary Force Wave

Latin America takes strength and prepares for a great wave of missionaries, with focus on the Sixth Region and the unreached people groups. As Latinos we are ceasing to be a mission field to become a missionary force, where men and women spend their lives, their resources and their professions to respond to the need to reach the unreached. With this emphasis and with the presence of 135 brothers and sisters from different Latin American countries, the Latin American Missionary Training Week was held in Colombia, from January 28 to February 2, 2020.

The event brought together pastors, leaders, professionals, mission candidates, mobilizers and brothers and sisters in general from Argentina, Ecuador, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Uruguay, Dominican Republic, Brazil and Colombia, as well as speakers from Canada and the United States. Eleven countries were represented, and Colombia, our host country, gave us a warm welcome and hospitality.

The opening program was highlighted by the praise and worship of our God, entry of young people with flags of different countries, denoting their passion for the nations, and the consecration prayer of the event in eight languages: French, Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, Italian, English, Portuguese and Spanish. Pastor David Muthre, President of CLA, preached on our role as a Latin church, to continue contributing financially, going and sending workers to countries that have little or no Christian presence. He highlighted the potential we have as Latinos to impact the nations with the gospel of Christ.

The conference had speakers from Latin America, Canada and the United States, who shared relevant topics for today’s mission. Among them were missionaries Jonathan Ritchey and his wife, Jessie Ritchey, on the themes “Adaptation and Principles of Cross-Cultural Communication” and “Community Development.” Sister Sara Arriagada spoke about being “Bi-Occupational in Cross-Cultural Mission.” Dr. Timothy Crouch addressed being “Empowered by the Holy Spirit” and “Reaching the Unreached.” In addition to the missionaries Christian Salgado, Eliel Isla, Eliezer Camargo and David Pickens, pastor David Cárdenas, the current president of COMIBAM International and Facilitator of the Wycliffe Global Alliance for Latin America, developed the topic “Bible Translation in Missions.” He led the audience through the tunnel of the history of Bible translation, and a reflection of the need to translate the Bible for the unreached ethnic groups of our day. AWF President, pastor Jura Yanagihara spoke about the Global Vision of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, and he encouraged us with the advancement of the C&MA around the world and how God is acting in the nations. He challenged the attendees to look at the reality of the task not yet finished and the opportunities we have as God moves in the nations.

During forums, workshops and in ministerial news, our Latino missionaries presented the challenges, privileges and joys of missionary life in the countries of the Sixth Region. In the cross-cultural night, each country creatively presented a little of the cultural riches of their country. We enjoyed typical foods like arepas and the Colombian cuisine in general.

One of the attendees mentioned, “I did not know that the Alliance was so diverse, numerous, and how God is using us in the expansion of His Kingdom in the nations.” Another person said, “It is the first time I participated in an event like this, and I really liked it and learned a lot about the missionary reality.” One sister added, “I was very encouraged as a professional to see the list of service opportunities for the mission. I didn’t know that I can answer God’s call with my profession.”

The conference ended Sunday, February 2, leaving the attendees with the firm decision to take an active part in the mission of God. The final theme, “What to Do After a Missionary Training Week,” was presented by Sister Sonia Paredes, Regional CLA Mission Coordinator, who through the analysis of Jesus’ teachings in Luke 9, and the sending and practice in Luke 10, emphasized that in the same way God spoke to us and taught us during this conference and we must not forget it. She motivated the attendees to practice what they have learned, seeking to get involved intentionally in the mission of God, and showed them the list of existing opportunities and needs in both West and North Africa and in Central Asia. The event came to an end with Pastor Iván Bonilla presenting the training guidelines to the Amazon trip of the triple border of Colombia, Brazil and Bolivia. Pastor Jorge Barra shared information about the Vision Trip to the Sixth Region planned for May and June of this year, for which everyone is urged to pray, cooperate and participate. We finished with a prayer, thanking God for all blessings and fellowship we experienced during this week.

We thank God and the entire CLA missions team, who together with the National Mission Leaders and the National Alliance Presidents of each country, and the support of the CLA leaders, prayed, planned, promoted, and made it possible for the brothers and sisters to attend the Latin American Missionary Training Week. The 11 nations represented learned, shared, had fun, worshiped our God and were challenged to respond to God’s invitation to what He is already doing in the nations. We had a little experience of what it will be when we stand before the Lamb of God, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, worshiping Him for all eternity (Rev. 7:9).