Peru has been most recently in the kingdom news due to the earthquakes that shattered several cities about two and a half miles south of Lima, but from the rubble, God is working powerfully to advance his message and raise up disciples. During a February visit, Frank Williams, the evangelist and I, a teacher and missions coordinator in the Greater Nashville Church (Tennessee), were able to observe first hand God's workings in Peru.

Evangelist Appointed in Lima

The church in Lima had been without a full time leader for some time before Cesar Herrera, with his wife Paola and baby daughter returned to assume the leadership in October 2006 from Trujillo, where they had planted the church in 2004. During the year and a half that Cesar has been in Lima the church has grown from about 60 to 100. After a number of meetings with the church and the local leadership, Frank and I were joyfully able to appoint Cesar as evangelist in an excited Wednesday night meeting with the congregation. In a brief lesson on the role of an evangelist I was able to emphasize that it was not people that were raising Cesar up, but that what God has done in his life was simply being acknowledged. Frank and I also emphasized that it was not all about Cesar; his co-workers and the church were an integral part of what God was doing.

The plans for the Lima church for this year involve a three-pronged approach to ministry with Cesar focusing on evangelism, while training Daniel Goicochea to head up the teaching ministry and Daniel Acosta to oversee a shepherding ministry.

Trujillo Keeps Baptizing

The church planted in Trujillo, now led by Paolo and Cynthia Espadin saw seven baptized in 2007. Paolo, moved to Trujillo to serve in the ministry with Cesar and was joined there by Cynthia Arsenault, a Canadian disciple, who had come to Lima to fulfill a desire to visit and serve the church in Peru. After returning to Canada, Cynthia continued a long distance relationship with Paolo that culminated with her return and their marriage on the beach near Trujillo. As Cesar moved back to lead the Lima church, he was able to leave the church in the capable hands of Paolo and Cynthia. Paolo often has to do double duty in the church services: leading songs and preaching, until other brothers are trained to help him. Cynthia meanwhile keeps busy studying the Bible with interested women. She is currently studying with fourteen different ones.

Earthquake Assistance Does More than Meet Physical Needs

A month and a half before the earthquake rocked Peru, disciples in Lima traveled to Chincha to study the Bible with family members of a Christian in the Trujillo church. Intensified visits to provide relief, in part provided by US churches that sent financial aid, have resulted in three baptisms already. Carlos and Juana Tapia (Photo #3, pictured with Steve and Frank), two of the new disciples traveled to Lima for the memorable Wednesday midweek where Cesar was appointed. Although their house was damaged by the earthquake, they were only thankful that all family members escaped unhurt. Many others continue studying at this point,

The Gospel goes to Arequipa

It doesn't stop there. Another disciple with family members in Arequipa, led the way for them to study the Bible. So now two more have been baptized and several more are studying the Bible in that key city.

Amazed by God  

It is amazing what God is doing. In the midst of turmoil, devastation, and poverty, with honestly little planning on our part, God is raising up disciples as he wills and where he wills. Churches need to be planted. So God gives us a nudge in the right direction. Wow!