New Life in Latin America

A new beginning! That was the sensation when 44 leaders from 16 countries met for the Latin American Leadership Summit in January of 2022. The pandemic kept us physically separate and although Zoom meetings helped keep us united, being face-to-face again was energizing and a great addition to a season full of new beginnings.

For example, the 40 people in attendance at the Argentina annual meeting in December 2021 agreed that it was a new beginning for them. They are rebuilding with a clear vision and excitement to participate with God in the restoration of Argentina! In fact, they are off to a great start as they participate in pastoral care, minister to children and initiate the Harbor ministry for college students.

The Mission District of Uruguay held its first annual meeting in 2021 and what a great start it was! The youth are on-fire for Christ and the children, inspired by the faithful ministry of the church, are leading their families to Christ. Ministries that began with a few children on a soccer field are becoming established churches as committed disciples are multiplied.

There are new mission district leaders in Nicaragua, Argentina and Honduras. In March 2022 Bolivia will become an official mission district and Guatemala hopes to join that list in August. Likewise, the Latin American Area is nurturing a new relationship with the Mexican Provisional General Conference to inject the vision for Kingdom participation and growth!

Best of all, last year nearly 4,000 Latin Americans began personal relationships with Christ and 252 new community churches opened for a total 742 groups that are multiplying committed disciples! Raíces, the translated, expanded and adapted version of the Roots children’s curriculum is being rolled out in several countries in order to develop healthy leaders starting at age 3. CenForMe, the online Center for Ministerial Formation, is also helping to develop nearly 1,000 healthy leaders. And a new medical clinic is opening in a creative access country which will amplify the transformational ministry of the church that already provides a home for the elderly and a substance-abuse recovery ministry.

There is much to be done, but this is certainly of season of new beginning as we participate with God in the restoration of Latin America by developing healthy leaders, multiplying committed disciples, and empowering transformational churches. Won’t you join us and pray for God’s continuing restoration of Latin America?

– Ricardo & Beth Gómez