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What's Happening in Latin America
LATIN AMERICA (August 8, 2002) - "We believe that God is up to something in Latin
America and that it is finding an echo in the hearts of Covenant people
around the United States."
So begins a recent update to the Department of Communication from the
Department of World Mission of the Evangelical Covenant Church.
"The following initiatives have some surprising things in common that we
think reflect a movement of God in the Covenant Church," the update report
continues. "A focus on ministry to the whole person; finding lost people
and helping hurting people; a commitment and ability to minister by both
word and deed; and a unique blending of mission initiatives among
missionaries, local Covenant Churches and national Christians; and a gifted
number of new people stepping up to take the lead in developing new mission
opportunities."
Following is a recap of activities involving Covenant missionaries to Latin
America:
Brian and Kerith Weld
Brian and Kerith were commissioned for service in Latin America and are
presently living in San Jose, Costa Rica. At this time, Kerith is finishing
up a refresher course in Spanish and Brian has been taking the lead in
research on the present movement of God throughout Latin America. Brian's
work is helping the Covenant to become more informed as it thinks
strategically. "Pray for God's direction for new Covenant mission among
Latin Americans in North, Central and South America." The Welds have been
invited to consider leading a new partnership in holistic mission in
Argentina.
Lisandro and Patricia Restrepo
The Restrepos have been invited by the Mexico Covenant Mission staff to
serve in the Foundation for Family Development, a Covenant outreach
ministry in Monterrey, Mexico. This dynamic outreach ministry is challenged
by insufficient staff to meet the demands of unexpected growth. The
Restrepo's unique gifts will be focused on expanding and deepening the
foundation's ministries and helping the foundation to reach sustainability
for the long term.
JoEllen Reaves
JoEllen is a wonderful example of those referred to as "finishers." A
"second-career" person, JoEllen has a rich and extensive background in
professional service to the elderly. She has been invited by the Mexico
Mission staff and the Mexico Covenant Church to take the lead in developing
a fruitful ministry to the elderly in Mexico. She brings excellent
administrative gifts to the team and, as a short-term missionary, gave
strong leadership to the strategic planning of the Mexico Mission staff.
Wainer and Magui Guimaraes
Wainer and Magui are in Brazil pulling together the threads of strong
expressed interest in new ministries among a group of committed Brazilian
Christians and a wide range of ministries initiated by local US Covenant
Christians. Wainer is an ordained Covenant pastor and he and Magui are
mature and experienced servants of Christ. In the early stages of
exploration, Project Brazil shows great promise as a healthy international
partnership and a creative new approach to ministry of profound impact for
the Gospel.
Nils and Erika Clauson
Nils and Erika have just the right training and gifts to connect the
ministries and vision of the many North American Covenant churches that
reach out to Northern Baja California, Mexico, particularly in Mexicali,
Tijuana and Ensenada. They have been encouraged to serve by a group of
young churches in Mexicali and by University Covenant Church in Davis,
California, which is in partnership with the Mexicali churches. "We are
excited about the way the initiative of a local Covenant church, young
Mexican churches and efforts by the Mexico Mission staff are coming
together. We think there is great power to be unleashed through these
relationships and that Nils and Erika are the right people to help lead and
support the movement."
"This is all new mission," the World Mission update continues. "At this
year's 117th Annual Meeting, Dean Lundgren, vice president for finance
said, 'New mission requires new resources.' Those interested in assisting
mission efforts in these areas may support individuals by sending
contributions to the Department of World Mission, Evangelical Covenant
Church, 5101 N. Francisco Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60625. If you desire that a
contribution be designated in support of a particular missionary, please
note that on the gift.
Those interested in sending personal email messages of support may do so to
the following email addresses:
- Brian and Kerith Weld: bkweld@ hotmail.com
- Lisandro and Patricia Restrepo: c/o kentnann @hotmail.com
- JoEllen Reaves: joellenreaves @hotmail.com
- Wainer and Magui Guimaraes: wainerg@ inreach.com
- Nils and Erika Clauson: erikanils@ peoplepc.com
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