Peru mission transforms hearts and minds In May 2012, Joaquin Silva-Arcos returned to the land of his father, grandfather and great-grandfather, this time as a missionary from Corban University. He was part of a seven-person, Summer of Service (S.O.S.) team of musicians who journeyed to Peru between May 10 and 29. They taught music, encouraged pastors and built new Christ-centered relationships within that nation. Silva-Arcos started at Corban in fall of 2010 and had nearly completed his first year at Corban when he shared a vision with Dan Shuholm, Corban Music Department Chair. “He approached me about his desire to take what he learned about worship at Corban University to his home country of Peru,” Shuholm said. “I thought it would be a great opportunity for us. It really fit where my heart has been the last 25 years in experiencing worship in a more global sense.” “When I thought about doing this, I was thinking too small,” Silva-Arcos said. “God brought together an amazing team of musicians. It was the right team at the right time.” When the wheels of the plane touched down in Peru nearly 20 hours after leaving Portland International Airport, each team member was filled with anticipation about what would happen next. The mission team directed workshops and chapel services in various cities throughout Peru. Although he grew up as a “pastor’s kid,” Silva-Arcos was seeing his role as a missionary from a fresh perspective. He wasn’t seeing the lost in Peru through his father’s or grandfather’s eyes, but his own. “I saw his leadership and influence and the way he shared his heart for God with others,” Shuholm said. “I saw things in Joaquin that I never saw in our country. Seeing him in his native culture was amazing.” Peru Mission Team Members Dan Shuholm Music Dept. Chair Melody Haidle Grace Hansen Brook Jacobsen Joaquin Silva-Arcos Casey Sweet Bryan White
Throughout the mission, the student-missionaries continuously asked questions to break the language barrier and build relationships. Many of those they witnessed to accepted Jesus Christ into their lives—a direct result of the street ministry, workshops, worship sessions and more that each Corban missionary prayed about and facilitated. “The students on the team learned that we have a lot in common with Peruvian peoples,” Shuholm said. “Their understanding of the world from God’s point of view changed them and their appreciation for the many different cultures He created for His purposes.” 17