Last month, my son, Mishael, and I spent 2 weeks in Southern Chile with my daughter, Naomi, and her family. My parents also came along with us.
(You can hear my interview with Naomi about her life in Chile here.)
For me this was a chance to meet my first granddaughter, Phillipa Jane, and as it turns out, she’s the cutest little 6 month old I’ve ever seen!
Although this was a family trip me but I couldn’t help myself from teaching two seminars, counseling with church leaders, and preaching a couple of times. Naomi and Jorge are involved in a new church plant in the city of Valdivia that just started up about a year ago.
The church is called “Christian Community in the Forest” in Spanish “Comunidad Cristiana el Bosque”
The first weekend my father and I led a seminar for church leaders. I spoke from 1 Timothy 3 on the qualifications of church leaders. My dad spoke on Ephesians 4:11-13 on the task of church leaders. I also spoke on the heart of church leaders from 1 Pet 5:1-4.
On Sunday morning the church held a special evangelistic service. They asked me to share about Ukraine and what is happening with the war here and then to share and evangelistic message. A so many guests turned out for this special service that Gaston, the lead pastor, had to run home to bring more chairs!
The second weekend on Saturday they asked us to do a seminar for the families. We focused on gospel issues in marriage and families such as sin and the need for forgiveness.
You can watch my part of the seminar below.
The following Sunday my father and mother shared their testimonies and my dad preached on why we should love the church.
In addition to the seminars and the preaching on Sunday mornings we were also able to spend time with several of the church leaders answering their questions about church ministry, doctrine, and giving them encouragement as they seek wisdom for the next step of their church.
As we looked back on our time in Chile we realized that God providentially brought us to this place at a vital time in the life of the church there. We were encouraged to see the gospel passion, desire to learn God’s Word, and joyful fellowship of this new church plant in Valdivia, Chile.
Please pray especially for Gaston and his wife Mireya who have stepped out in faith to start this new church! We are sure that God has great things in store for them and for Comunidad Cristiana el Bosque!
