January 2015 / Edition 732 / www.impactoevangelistico.net
The magazine that edifies your life
evangelistic Devotional
A happy home
Life story
The power of Christ’s blood
Heroe of faith
Beloved John
The web OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
WORLDWIDE MISSIONARY MOVEMENT
The categorical evidence of Creationism
GOD DID IT
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is a virtue that requires fidelity and gratitude. The Scriptures, in 1 Samuel 26:23.
FAITHFULNESS
MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 2 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
FAITHFULNESS 2015
Editorial
Rev. Gustavo Martínez International President of the WMM
“The Lord render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the Lord delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the Lord's anointed.” 1 Samuel 26:23.
Faithfulness is a virtue that requires fidelity and gratitude. The Scriptures, in 1 Samuel 26:23, says, “The Lord render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness…” When speaking of faithfulness, according to a dictionary, the word means being constant in the one’s affections and ideas, which leads to not deceive or betray others. Faithfulness is a virtue developed in our conscience and implies keeping a commitment even in changing or adverse circumstances. Faithfulness is a unique mark and is what identifies each child of God. Faithfulness is what led biblical heroes to fight difficult circumstances and not to look back. Faithfulness is what let us obtain important victories in bad times, what makes the spirit of man achieve what they think is impossible. A life based on faithfulness is founded and built on an immovable strong rock. Faithfulness promises no reward, but it is a virtue we need to recover so that the Lord’s Church can face the challenges of the last times. Faithfulness characterizes our God, He is faithful, and this is clearly shown it through Scripture. In the Bible, we find a strong evidence
of faithfulness and disloyalty, examples of faithful people and traitors. This is a timely call from God for the time being. The world is very much influenced by postmodern thinking; elements such as individualism, relativism, humanism, among others, have made man and God grow apart. The Bible, the sound doctrine, the proper role of the Holy Spirit, and the faithfulness to the original values and principles are facing a great struggle and a strong opposition. Finally, the sad reality we all have had to struggle with is that many people who were part of us, are no longer with us. And when analyzing the causes that have led to that departure, we perceive the lack of this virtue, the absence of faithfulness in the heart to both God and His Work. Over the years spent in my Christian life and ministry serving the Lord, I have found that there are faithful and disloyal people and I have seen the big impact this has on a daily basis in the churches and other areas of life. For this reason, I believe God has led us to this important theme: FAITHFULNESS 2015! l January 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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evangelistic Founder Director: Rev. Luis M. Ortiz January 2015 / Edition N° 732 (USPS 012-850) OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE WORLDWIDE MISSIONARY MOVEMENT The World-Wide Missionary Movement, Inc. is a non-profit church with a vision to plant new churches in the United States of America and its territories, and also with a missionary vision to plant new churches wherever God opens new doors all over the World. PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY Movimiento Misionero Mundial, Inc World-Wide Missionary Movement, Inc San Juan, Puerto Rico Washington, D.C. Periodicals Postage Paid at San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936
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INTERNATIONAL BOARD MEMBERS OF WMM INC. Rev. Gustavo Martínez President Rev. José Soto Vice President Rev. Rubén Concepción Secretary Rev. Rodolfo González Treasurer Rev. Álvaro Garavito Director Rev. Margaro Figueroa Director Rev. Rómulo Vergara Director Rev. Humberto Henao Director Rev. Luis Meza Director CHURCHES ESTABLISHED IN: Germany Argentina Aruba Australia Austria Belgium Belize Bolivia Bonaire Brasil Cameroon Canadá Chile Colombia Congo Ivory Coast Costa Rica Curacao Dinamarca Ecuador El Salvador Spain United States The Philippines Finland
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Christian Pentecostal Church-Worldwide Missionary Movement: Av. 28 de Julio 1781 - Lima 13 - Peru Printout: Quad/Graphics Perú S.A. Av. Los Frutales 344 - Lima 03 - Peru MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 4 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
The Worldwide Missionary Movement is a religious nonprofit organization duly registered in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and in the federal capital, Washington DC, with headquarters in both cities and in every state of the United States and other countries where we have established missionary Works. Important The offerings and donations in cash, equipment, real estate and bequests by will, in the benefit of the Worldwide Missionary Movement, Inc.’s Work, are deductible from the income tax, and receipts issued by the WMM are recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of the Federal Government of the United States of America and of the Free Associated State of Puerto Rico. n
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Doctrinal Statement The Worldwide Missionary Movement adheres to the fundamental doctrines of Scripture, such as: n
• The inspiration of the Holy Scriptures: 2 Timothy 3:15-17, 2 Peter 1:19-21. • The Adorable Godhead in Three Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Matthew 3:16-17, 17: 1-5; 28:19, John 17: 5, 24, 26, 16:32, 14:16, 23, 18:5, 6, 2 Peter 1:17,18; Revelation 5. • Salvation by Faith in Christ: Luke 24:47, John 3:16, Romans 10:13, Titus 2:11, 3:5-7. • The New Birth: John 3:3, 1 Peter 1:23, 1 John 3:9. • Justification by Faith: Romans 5:1, Titus 3:7. • Water Baptism by Inmersion, as commanded by Christ: Matthew 28:19, Acts 8:36-39. • The Baptism in the Holy Spirit subsequent to salvation, speaking in tongues according to: Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4, 8, 2:4. • Divine Healing: Isaiah 53:4, Matthew 8:16, 17, Mark 16:18, James 5:14, 15. • The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. • The Fruits of the Holy Spirit: Galatians 5:22-26. • Sanctification: 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 5:23, Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 1:15, 16, 1 John 2:6. • Ministry and Evangelization: Mark 16:15-20, Romans 10:15. • Tithing and Maintenance of the Work: Genesis 14:20, 28:22, Leviticus 27:30, Numbers 18:21-26, Malachi 3:7-10, Matthew 10:10; 23:23. • The Rapture of the Church: Romans 8:23, 1 Corinthians 15:5152, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. • The Second Coming of Christ: Zechariah 14:1-9, Matthew 24:30, 31; 2 Thessalonians 1:7, Titus 2:13, Jude 14, 15. • The Millennial Kingdom: Isaiah 2:1-4, 11:5-10, Zechariah 9:10, Revelation 19:20, 20:3-10. • New Heavens and New Earth: Isaiah 65:17, 66:22, 2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 21:1.
SUMMARY 6. 22. 24. 28.
Cover. The origin of species. Welfare. The Silent Disease Science. The Shield
Music. He Giveth More Grace
30.
Hero of Faith. Beloved John
34.
Live Stories The power of Christ’s blood
40.
Devotional. New Year, New Life
42.
Devotional. Only The Violent Are Worthy Of Heaven
44. 46.
Devotional. A happy home
Interview. “More doors to extend the Work”
48.
Events. Workers for the Lord's vineyard
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THE ORIGIN OF
SPECIES According to some members of the scientific international community, no classification of species is considered within the Holy Scriptures. Nonetheless, this assertion has a solid answer that can be found in the Bible itself and have the support of many Christian scientists that share the same idea. Johan Pérez Landeo / Marlo Pérez
Does mankind come from simians? Have living beings evolved from a common ancestor? Does natural selection exist? These are some questions that both defenders of creationism and evolutionism had to face. The American lecturer Joseph Owen, coordinator of the Latin/Hispanic ministry of Answers in Genesis (AiG), states that the theory of a supposed evoluMISSIONARY MOVEMENT 6 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
tion of men is sinister. This conjecture is but a simple, preliminary draft. Those who defend it just want to find, without success, a hypothetical missing link to demonstrate their wrong beliefs. Owen shows a series of proofs to refute the evolutionist’s postulates. He states: “Let’s review the characteristics of every species. Simian’s nasal cavities are flat, while ours are not. Even if a si-
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DESIGN OF A WORLD BIOMETRY MEANS to learn about a design and copying a design taken from nature, which is perfectly designed. That is the definition that gave us Andrew McIntosh, who gave also lots of examples. Lotus leaf is hydrophobic, i.e., it does not allow the entry of water thanks to some very little hairs. Nowadays, this idea was taken by the engineering to make self-cleaning products. During the World War II, the United States was attacked by the opposite army with hundreds of air bombers. The sound produced by these bombers was taken from the bombardier beetles that expel hydroquinone at 400 to 500 frames per second l
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mian wants to put on a pair of glasses, it would not be able to. Its front is flat while ours is curved. Similarly, simian’s cranium is not as ours, since it surpasses 1500 cm3.” Owen declares that the fossil named “Lucy”, which cranium found in 1924 showed a supposed mix of simian and human characteristics, was just a handful of rests of a hominid, an Australopithecus. He explains: “Very few people know that Lucy was found with no feet nor arms, so the scientists replaced its missing extremities but not for those of a simian but for those of a human being.”
THE SPECIES AND THE RACES Which is the origin of species in the world? A group of scientists has solid answers to this and other questions based on their studies of the Bible and their own scientific evidences. The writer Steve Ham, International Director of the Christian organization Answer in Genesis (AiG), has a first answer: “All the animals were created by God. The story of Genesis uses almost ten times the Hebrew word “mim”, a word translated in even three different meanings to designate the gender and species of animals on earth. This is a first guideline to classify species that is overlooked.” Ham also explains that the origin of races is very simple. Everything began with Adam and Eve. But the problem emerges when trying to understand Continue reading–– January 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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that human beings come from two people. We must understand it through a view based on the Scriptures, and mainly on the Genesis. The Austrian writer points out that “the Tower of Babel was the event that provoked the appearance of the different current populations. At that moment, God confused the only existing language and spread humanity all over the world, which generated the different genetic groups.” Steve Ham states that the superiority of the white race is a myth. He says: “As a Christian, I reject this concept based on pseudo-scientific criteria establishing superior or inferior human beings. There is only one race: the human one. Similarly, many people say that we have different colors, which does not exist in genetics, a science that states that there are people with more or less melanin. Instead of classifying people depending on their physical appearance, let’s see them by their mind and heart.”
LIFE CODE Alan White, doctor of organic chemistry of the Harvard University, is another scientist that defends Creationism. He wrote 18 scientific publications and assures that “only an intelligent being could have created this so complex system. It is a certain evidence of the existence of God.” He affirms: “The secular scientific community believes that we come MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 10 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
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from a process without planning, named evolution. This is a wrong proposal. God created us as we are. He created us as the most complex being in the whole universe. Our body has more than a hundred quintillions of cells and the center of each one has DNA. It is a powerful design that shows the hand of a Creator.” White has more than 41 scientific patents in the United States and defends
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the compatibility between the literal interpretation of the Bible and the most current scientific data. He states: “Some scientists believe that non-living chemical substances could have learnt how to reproduce. According to them, this happened by chance. That has no sense for me, because to have life, we need proteins and DNA at the same time. The
matter is that to make DNA, we must have proteins and to make proteins we need DNA. It is like the chicken or the egg dilemma: which came first?” He remarks that evolutionists support that the DNA exists in plants, ani-
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believe that we are the same as bananas or any other fruit just because we have some processes in common.”
mals and human beings and that this indicates that we come from a common ancestor or simple organism. He adds: “For me, it is more logical to think that the Creator used the same instructions to make all his works. It is unlikely to
UNIQUE DESIGN Professor Andrew McIntosh, specialist in Biometry and intelligent design of the University of Leeds devoted to the teaching of thermodynamics and theory of combustion, proves that God is the creator of the animals inhabiting the earth based on the mysteries of the flight of birds.
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CREATIONISM IN EDUCATION CREOUS RAMDATH, General Coordinator for the CANOPY Ministry in Latin-America, expressed his concern about the education of future generations. He expressed: “What is it taught in many institutions worldwide? Students receive a naturalist vision of the world, like the Big Bang or the theory of evolution. They learn an interpretation of the world in which there is just matter and no God.” The exposer criticized the English naturalist Charles Darwin, who distorted current science with his publication, “The origin of species”, on which personalities like Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin, Adolf Hitler, among others, based their acts to provoke chaos around the world. On the opposite, Ramdath mentioned that Isaac Newton, Francis Bacon, Michael Faredit and Louis Pasteur were great Christian scholars who contributed to the welfare of the world with their scientific knowledge based on the Bible. He remarked: “Six-hundred years ago, the most antique universities of the United States and Europe taught Christianity. They were biblical universities and believed in creationism. Nowadays, many centuries later, that is no longer the case” l
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Joseph Owen and Steve Ham at the plenary aimed at young students who attended the stadium of San Marcos, Peru. Continue reading––
He says: “There is a unique design in the kingdom of birds that is copied by aeronautics, but still some people say that birds were not designed by anyone. It is contradictory to think that people design planes that are copies of nature but nature came from nowhere. Evolution has no own mind. There are things that cannot be done by chance, more over the flight.” The analysis of professor McIntosh remarks the different components of the aerodynamics of bird’s flight. He explains: “A bird’s feather is asymmetric at a glance. In order to fulfill its purpose, it must be placed on the right spot, which is not the tail nor the head, but the wing. The feather works since its barbs are joined and this can be observed in the microscope. There is a flexible mechanism that allows barbs to remain joined. The theory of evolution affirms that the feather is the result of a mutation, but it does not explain anything
EVIDENCES OF A YOUNGER EARTH Jhon Whitmore affirms that the great inconsistencies of evolutionists concerning the true age of our planet contradicts the Holy Scriptures. “The antiquity of earth is so important to evolutionists that they want to hide it. They try to maintain their theory, so they need a very old earth. Evolutionists want to add thousands of years to the Genesis since they say that God used evolution. Even though, the Bible states that our planet is very young.” This scientist, who has analyzed many fossils of dinosaurs and has studied geological evidences in the Great Canyon, criticizes radiometric dating and carbon-14 as the most used procedures by scientists when determining the age of rocks, minerals and organic rests. He asserts: “As scientists, we cannot make an average. How can a rock have different dates? This shows that the method used for radiometric dating has serious problems.” Withmore points out: “Evolutionists say that humans have existed for millions of years, but then how many people would be on earth?” He states that the earth only has six thousand years old according to the Bible l
about its design to fly.” McIntosh, who assures that the principles of thermodynamics are not consistent with Darwinian evolution, says that any engineer knows that there
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Joseph Owen.
Creous Ramdath.
John Whitmore.
Steve Ham.
Andy McIntosh.
Alan White.
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must be oil so that there might not be any friction, which would provoke the disintegration of the feather. Where does the oil come from? The bird obtains it from an oily gland placed on the base of its vertebral column. He explains: “Humans do not have this gland on the back since they were not created to fly. Some scientists say that birds evolved from reptiles, but it is clear that feathers were always feathers.” He adds: “Many of us may know about engineering, biology or other sciences, but when you see the special
design of birds, you must recognize that there is a brilliant mind behind it. The Bible says it: God made the birds different from reptiles. Thus, we must not use the evolution argument since it is not a reason. True science refers to a creation and a Creator. Remember that Jesus died in the cross to redeem us and came back from death to show us that He had power.”
THE UNIVERSE DID NOT APPEAR BY CHANCE Why did the Big Bang result in a stable
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MEETING IN LIMA THE FACILITIES of the National University of San Marcos, the most antique university in the American cantinent, hosted the “Conferencia Nacional de Creacionismo 2014” (National Conference of Creationism 2014), where it was examined the validity of creationism and the decline of the evolutionary theory. Simultaneously with the National Convention in Peru, the Worldwide Missionary Movement, together with the “Centro Creacionista Latinoamericano CANOPY” (Latin-American Creationist Center CANOPY), organized the conference that gathered renowned scientists from Australia, United States, England and Trinidad and Tobago in Lima from 5 to 9 November 2014. The event named “Evolución: una teoría en crisis” (Evolution: A theory in crisis) had the main objective of offering different tools and scientific evidences in favor of creationism. Among the most remarkable subjects of these conferences, we may mention the origin of races, DNA, human body, Genesis, evangelic faith and the figure of God l Continue reading––
universe? Is order the result of an explosion? For the American expert Alan White, the Big Bang would have generated more disorder, the total opposite of what the researchers that support a bigexplosion hypothesis assure. He points out: “Some researchers think that there are more universes, but they do not want to get to that point since it would reveal the existence of a Creator.” The studies made by White about the inaccuracies of the Big Bang theory, a scientific model that states that matter emerged from nowhere, place him in the vanguard of Creationism. He remarMISSIONARY MOVEMENT 18 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
ked that God created mass, energy and light in the same day, as per the Bible on Psalm 33: 6-9 about the beginning of the creation. White described that stars emit the same amount of light every day, which evidences a Creator who gives us what we need to live. About this matter, he explained that sunlight comes from the surface of the sun and the heat from its center, but if the process reverses, we would get burned. He states: “It is an amazing design. And if we think about the inside of any star, we will realize its complexity and we will appreciate that
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The presence of young students characterized the National Conference on Creationism 2014 held in Lima under the theme ‘Evolution, a Theory in Crisis.’
it has an absolute balance and precise equilibrium to avoid expansion or compression. This cannot be the result of an accident.” He says: “Scientists also say that a particle and an antiparticle appeared within an empty space, but only during a short period of time, believing that it was created from nothing. Nevertheless, what do we find in our universe? Everything is made of matter and there is almost no antimatter. Furthermore, they state that deep space has the same temperature and that this proves the Big Bang. But they do not say that they
have to adjust their theory to make it work.” Alan White remembers that in Europe, during the years before the invention of the telescope, there was a big interest in discovering the amount of stars in the sky. Then, they started to count them. Many gave unreasonable amounts without further explanation. They made it all to contradict the Bible. Nowadays, scientists reveal that there are one-hundred million galaxies and that each one has an average of one-hundred thousand millions of stars. The Holy Scriptures were right when saying that their amount was incalculable l January 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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The word ‘dinosaur’ was coined in 1841 by the English anatomist Sir Richard Owen, derived from the Greek words ‘deinos’, meaning ‘terrible’, and ‘sauros’, meaning ‘lizard’. Its Latinized form is Dinosauria and its literal translation is terrible lizard, although the word reptile is more usual.
1. THEORY OF PANSPERMIA This theory assumes a universal or alien distribution of living germs. The emergence of life on Earth could be explained if we knew how it came to this planet. Proposed repeatedly throughout history, this theory suggests that life could have been originated by aliens or meteorites.
In USA, more than
3 false theories about the origin of life
2. THEORY OF SPONTANEOUS GENERATION Under certain conditions, living organisms develop from nonliving matter.
42%
500 000
Fragments of organic molecules that make up DNA.
people visit the Creation Museum each year, where Natural History and Ancient History are explained according to the texts of the Bible.
The materialist version holds that living organisms can develop from matter without needing any trigger. Therefore, spontaneous generation would be an intrinsic property of the matter.
Over
of Americans
believe that God created the universe in six days and rested on the seventh, that Noah saved all animals in his ark, and that the existence of different ethnic groups is due to the confusion created among men after the Tower of Babel.
Average height of
19.0 m
3. THEORY OF EVOLUTION This theory postulates that life arose from nonliving matter when conditions on Earth were very different from the current ones.
Behemoth, the biblical dinosaur (Job 40:15-23)
A part of the scientific community believes that birds evolved from a branch of the dinosaur family tree. However, until now, they cannot explain one of the major adaptations in this evolution: the development of wings that allow them to fly and that, as a matter of fact, tell these animals from others. MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 20 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
Average height of
0.35 cm
Scientific theory postulated by Charles Darwin about biological evolution and the mechanisms that explain it. It states that species transformed through successive generations and that, consequently, they are related to each other because they descend from common ancestors. This theory seeks to explain the origin of modern life on our planet using “corroborated” scientific arguments, which are also scientifically falsifiable and refutable.
CREATION OR EVOLUTION We submit to criticism the theory that all living organisms have emerged from a single form of life due to a natural evolutionary process, which in turn arose from the inorganic world through a similar process. While it is true that most biologists accept evolution as a fact, it is also true that a great
majority of them have accepted it without conducting a real examination, uncritically following the philosophy imposed today on this subject. Moreover, there is a significant minority of competent biologists and specialists in other fields who do not accept this theory as the best
interpretation of known data. One of these who may be cited is Dr. W.R. Thompson, whose credentials as a competent biologist need no defense. His objections to evolutionary theory may be found in his introduction to a 1956 edition of Charles Darwin’s Origin of Species entitled “A Critique of Evolution.”
71%
There is actually a considerable body of sound, scientific evidence that contradicts the theory of
evolution, some of which appears to be absolutely incompatible with evolution. The importance of the nature of this evidence is never emphasized in textbooks used in our public school systems and colleges. As a result, biology students are exposed to all the evidence that can be adduced in favor of the theory, but are not made aware of its weaknesses, nor the evidence that actually contradicts the theory. .
The Bible says that the creation of the whole cosmos (universe) was made in six days. Clearly, from the context, these six days are literal, not figurative. This original creation was perfect and without sin or death.
of Americans
want biology teachers to teach in class Darwin’s Theory of Evolution, but also the scientific arguments against it.
Day 1 God created light and darkness.
Day 4 God created the sun, the moon and the stars.
In 1963, a group of scientists formed the Creation Research Society. This constantly growing organization currently includes more than 600 full members, all of whom hold a master’s degree or doctorate in some field of science. None accepts the theory of evolution.
Day 3 God created vegetation.
Day 2 God created the heavens and the sea. Day 5 God created living creatures in the water and birds in the air.
Day 6 God created land animals and man.
Day 7
God rested.
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THE SILENT
DISEASE
Hypertension is the leading cause of death worldwide, but most hypertensive patients are unaware that they carry this disease. Its treatment does not offer a definitive cure and its effectiveness does not always produce the desired results in those receiving constant medication.
Wálter Menchola Vásquez (*)
Several studies worldwide have found important figures: within adult population aged 40 or older, 41% have steady high blood pressure, but less than half know they suffer from Hypertension. Less than a third of those who know they are hypertensive and are under treatment have their blood pressure controlled, while the poor and those living in rural areas show the worst results. This difference is also seen in the results between developed and developing countries. Hypertension is an important source of atherosclerosis – a progressive, slow disease that affects the arteries, especially those of medium size, causing a high rate of death and disability originated by cardiovascular diseases. When the cause of hypertension is not identified, it is called Essential Hypertension, which occurs in most cases (90%); however, when it is identified, it is called Secondary Hypertension, as it results from another disease causing it (10%). Hypertension has known risk factors, such as obesity, high salt intake, stress, anxiety, alcohol consumption, smoking, diabetes mellitus, hypertensive parent(s), African-American family. Many of these risk factors may be reduced by maintaining the average weight based on your age. Avoiding obesity or overweight is an extremely important measure to consider not only individually, but also in family, as it is well known that overweight parents tend to have MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 22 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
overweight children. Similarly, high salt intake should be avoided, as it is related to an increase in blood pressure. In addition, exercising regularly for at least 30 minutes is highly recommended, as there is clear evidence between quality of life, blood pressure, myocardial infarctions and exercise; sedentary lifestyle is undoubtedly a major risk factor for people’s health, especially if there is family history. Hypertension is a silent, progressive disease that can be controlled. Although there is no cure and it will take a while to find it, it can be controlled in simple way, even without medication, but it will depend on the patient’ discipline and willingness, and on family support. Losing weight is a vital necessity. But remember that this is not a temporary diet, but a lifestyle change, meaning that, after 40 years, we should and must change our eating habits: less flour, beans and more vegetables, fruits with high water content (watermelon, cantaloupe) or citrus fruits, less salt in foods, and learn how to manage stress and anxiety and do more exercise. We must consider that Hypertension has tremendous consequences: brain infarcts, heart attacks, retinal hemorrhage, kidney damage and it also damages the arteries of limbs, especially lower limbs, with terrible consequences such as amputations, hemiplegia, heart failure, kidney failure, and other injuries l
Welfare
HOW DOES IT MANIFEST? UNCONTROLLED Hypertension can manifest suddenly, causing severe headaches, palpitations, feeling of death, severe difficulty while breathing or walking and seizures. It definitely requires immediate treatment and care in the Emergency Room. Never hesitate to call the nearest emergency service if facing a situation as described. It is recommended that people, male over 40, or female over 45, with family history, overweight, check their blood pressure twice a year with a doctor, even without symptoms. Better safe than sorry.
(*) Peruvian internist. Master in Public Policy and Management.
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THE
SHIELD An invisible shield, a 'screen' that blocks so-called “killer electrons” from solar storms, has been discovered about 7 000 miles above the Earth.
When scientists achieved this discovery, they were baffled. “Somewhat like the shields created by force fields on Star Trek that were used to repel alien weapons, we are seeing an invisible shield blocking these electrons.”
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A new reality overcomes fiction. The Earth naturally generates an invisible shell. Scientists still do not know what the origin of this phenomenon can be, as they consider that this opposes the usual behavior of particles in astrophysical systems. After the discovery, theorists will need to change their models on this matter. “Frankly, when we saw this persistent barrier acting against the highenergy electrons in the Earth’s magnetosphere, I was totally perplexed and confused. It was as electron bursts chattering against a glass wall in space,” explains Professor Daniel Baker, principal investigator of the study published in the journal Nature. The discovery was made by a team of astrophysicists led by the University of Colorado at Boulder. The researchers found a “screen” that blocks so-called “killer electrons” from solar storms. These subatomic particles come from the Sun to Earth as an electromagnetic shower of bullets, because, when solar ejections are very powerful, these electrons travel at nearly the speed of light, threatening to damage astronauts, satellites and space systems. In addition, astronomer Rafael Bachiller, director of the Spanish Astronomical Observatory, believes that “if these particles reached the planet’s surface, they would be very dangerous for life, both for living beings and sophisticated electronic equipment on which our civilization rests today”
INNER BELT 1,000 – 8,000 miles
LOW – EARTH ORBIT (LEO) Intrenational Space Station 230 miles
Before the invisible screen enigma, Bachiller remains astonished thinking of something so fascinating that “makes this planet a privileged oasis for a successful life.”
INVISIBLE SHIELD The shield is about 11 587 miles above Earth, inside the Van Allen belts – two doughnut-shaped rings filled with highenergy electrons and protons, discovered by Professor James Van Allen in 1958, which are more than 40 000 miles above the Earth’s surface. These radiation belts expand and contract in response to energy disturbances from the sun, as explained by
OUTER BELT 12,000 – 25,000 miles
Science
GPS SATELLITES 12,500 miles
VAN ALLEN PROBE-A GEOSYNCHRONOUS ORBIT (GSO) NASA`s Solar Dynamics Observatory 22,000 miles VAN ALLEN PROBE-B
Professor Baker, who also is a former student of Van Allen. When scientists achieved this discovery, they were baffled. “Somewhat like the shields created by force fields on Star Trek that were used to repel alien weapons, we are seeing an invisible shield blocking these electrons,” says Baker. “It’s an extremely puzzling phenomenon,” he said. Baker wonders how it is possible that this behavior is so sharp, when the natural would be that “some electrons pass through the barrier and others bounce back,” but in this case neither manages to enter.
“Honestly, I still believe that this is a puzzle,” he added. As a good astrophysicist, Baker is passionate about enigmas. “I think the key here is to keep observing the region in exquisite detail, which we can do because of the powerful instruments on the Van Allen probes. If the sun really blasts Earth’s magnetosphere with a coronal mass ejection (CME), I suspect it will breach the shield for a period of time. In addition, we do not feel very satisfied with the current explanations and, as with all good puzzle in astrophysics, we will find the best and most satisfactory answers to the question ‘Why?’” l
Source: http://protestantedigital.com/
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REMINISCENCES of the
WORK
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1. December of 1992. Young members of the church in Peru. Most of them are currently ministries of the Lord leading the growth of the WMM in the World. 2. Eighties. First worships in the Central Church of 28 de Julio in Lima, Peru. The beginning of the Work in a country that now has devoted itself to the service of God. 3. 1965. National Convention of the WMM in the United States. The stage of germination. Seventies. The Church of Guines in the United States. The Work of the Lord never stopped increasing. 4. 1984. Group of pastors in the National Convention of the United States, among them is family Viscay.
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4 2
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HE GIVETH MORE GRACE
GRACE
Poem dedicated to God's mercy. Written by believer Annie Johnson Flint in the midst of a hard chronic disease, this hymn praises and thanks the Lord for His infinite greatness. Author of more than six thousand hymns, Annie Johnson Flint has shown the world, throughout her life, how God always tests the faith of His followers
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and honors them with His love when they are able to overcome suffering, pain and sadness. Born on 24 December 1866 in the United States, she was a servant of the Lord who, from birth to death, experienced more than one worldly suffering. However, her fidelity to Christ enabled her to leave an indelible musical mark, among which the
Music
song “He Giveth More Grace,” which refers to the Creator’s mercy. Annie was the greatest earthly gift of Eldon and Jean Johnson, a couple of believers from New Jersey who had immigrated to America from the UK. She lost her mother in 1869 and her father just a few years later. Then, in the midst of so much pain, she and her sister Nettie
were adopted by a Christian couple who gave them all their love and affection in the name of the Almighty. Protected by Mr. and Mrs. Flint, she gave her life to the Almighty when she turned eight during an evangelistic campaign. Since then, she became a faithful believer and never stopped preaching the Savior’s Word. While receiving a thorough spiritual education from Mr. and Mrs. Flint, Annie discovered her passion for poetry at the age of nine. It was fascinating for her to realize that she could build verses dedicated to God and the evangelical faith with spontaneity. Then, when she finished high school, she began studying education and, later on, she taught at the same school where she had studied as a child. However, her life darkened again with the death of her adoptive parents and a severe arthritis that affected her to the extent of confining her to a wheelchair for the rest of her days. With bent fingers and swollen joints in her hands, Johnson Flint undertook a task that would have touched the hearts of millions of Christians. Without any other purpose than seeking comfort from the Lord, she used to write every day verses consecrated to Jesus and make hand-lettered cards and gift books. Soon enough, her creations attracted the interest of major evangelical publishers at the time and the name of Annie came out of anonymity. “He giveth more grace,” one of her bestknown poems, was born with the idea of being a sort of consolation of faith to the long hours of suffering she faced. Annie Johnson Flint served the Eternal Father through a prolific creativity that she used to praise the Gospel. In the forty-five years she spent confined to a wheelchair, she never doubted that the Creator had chosen her to serve a noble purpose. At all times, despite the great tribulations she faced, she was always capable of emphasizing that it was necessary to fulfill the will of the Almighty. Even on 8 September 1932, just before going with the Almighty, she said firmly, “I have nothing to say. It’s all right” l
HE GIVETH MORE GRACE 1 He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater, He sendeth more strength when the labors increase; To added affliction He addeth His mercy, To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace. Refrain His love has no limit, His grace has no measure; His power no boundary known unto men; For out of His infinite riches in Jesus He giveth and giveth and giveth again. 2 When we have exhausted our store of endurance, When our strength has failed e re the day is half done, When we reach the end of our hoarded resources, Our Father's full giving is only begun. 3 His love has no limits, His grace has no measure, His power no boundary known unto men; For out of His infinite riches in Jesus He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
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Hero of Faith
BELOVED
JOHN Faithful companion of Jesus Christ, called by Him son of thunder, John played a crucial role in the early years of the Christian church. Just before the crucifixion of the Lord he was commissioned to protect the life of Mary. Leon Morris
John, the most beloved disciple of Jesus Christ, is one of the distinguished personalities of the early years of Christianity. His work for the spread of the Gospel, recorded in the New Testament, places him in the firmament of the precursors of the creed of God who sought to spread the good news around the world, as missionaries do today. A native of Galilee, he was the son of Zebedee and Salome, and the brother of the Apostle James. In Matthew 4:21, it is revealed that he was engaged in fishing in the ship of his father before surrendering his life to the Lord. FISHER OF MEN The call of Apostle John to the evanMISSIONARY MOVEMENT 30 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
gelical cause, along with James and the brothers Peter and Andrew, describes the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Mark 1:19-20 states that when Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw “James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending the nets. And he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.” Likewise, in the book of Luke, it is noted that the Lord incorporated John for him to become a fisher of men.
According to some interpreters of the Bible, the Apostle John was also a student of John the Baptist, like the Apostle Andrew. In this regard, analysts of the Holy Gospels, based on the book of John, say that one day when John the
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John constantly stood by Jesus Christ in the most vital moments, such as the Transfiguration, on which it is stated that: “Jesus took Peter, James and John, and led them on a high mountain apart. And was transfigured before them... And behold, there appeared unto them Elijah and Moses talking with Jesus.”
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Baptist was with two of his disciples, Andrew and possibly Apostle John, the Jewish preacher, looking at Jesus, who was walking by, said, “Behold the Lamb of God.” Immediately, the two apprentices followed Jesus. Then, the Lord turned and noticed them following him, so he asked them, “What do you seek?” They answered, “Rabbi (which means Teacher), where are you staying?” John, along with the apostles Peter and James, was part of the Savior’s closest group during His passage through this world. In addition, this trio of servants of the Messiah accompanied Him everywhere and witnessed his greatest miracles. On this point, Mark 5 says that John, Peter and James were the only apostles who accompanied the Master in the resurrection of Jairus’ daughter. The Scriptures say that Jesus “suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue... And when he was come in, he saith unto them: the damsel is not dead.”
FAITHFUL COMPANION The importance of the Apostle John is indisputable. His significance and relevance to the work of the Redeemer is stated in stories on the life, doctrine and miracles of Jesus Christ. Thus, in Matthew 10 we can read about the calling of the twelve apostles in which he is mentioned among the chosen. “The names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot,” say the Scriptures. In addition, the contribution of the youngest descendant of Zebedee was of great magnitude to the ministry of the Son of the Creator. Just refer to Mark 9 to realize that John constantly stood by Jesus Christ in the most vital moments.
For instance, the Transfiguration, event that describes Christ speaking with Moses and Elijah, on which it is stated that: “Jesus took Peter, James and John, and led them on a high mountain apart. And was transfigured before them... And behold, there appeared unto them Elijah and Moses talking with Jesus.” Similarly, John stood by the Redeemer when He predicted the destruction of the temple and outlined the signals that would precede the end of the world. Mark 13 tells that Jesus “sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple. And Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately: Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled? And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” Another significant moment in the biography of John is his presence at the crucifixion and death of the Savior. In this passage of his life, according to the biblical text, John was entrusted by Christ to watch over the life of Mary, His mother, and he was called the “beloved disciple.” The Gospel of John states that, “when Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son. Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.”
SON OF THE THUNDER The intimate relationship between John and the Lord is unobjectionable. This close bond is registered in more than one biblical passage. Perhaps the most eloquent is settled in Mark 3:17, which tells that the Almighty called “James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder.” Furthermore, Luke 22 states that John, along with Peter, prepared the last supper of the Almighty. “And Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, Go
and prepare us the passover, that we may eat,” says the Bible. In Acts, John and his role in the organization of the first stage of Christianity are also mentioned. In the third chapter of Acts, John, always accompanied by Peter, is part of the healing of the lame man at the gate of the temple called Beautiful. The text states that the lame man begged them “to give him alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” Then, in a subsequent chapter, it is stated that both apostles had to appear before the council in Jerusalem after being arrested. John and Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, testified in favor of the Power of Jesus of Nazareth. According to the Scriptures, when rulers, elders, scribes, chief priests and their families saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled and acknowledged that they had been with Jesus. Likewise, when they saw the man who had been healed standing next to them, they could say nothing against it. Chased and beaten by his evangelical faith, John was called “pillar” of the church by the Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Galatians and this passage shows that he led a life completely devoted to share the good news until his very last day. In the epilogue of his life as des-
cribed in the three letters of St. John the Apostle, which are attributed to him as well as the Book of Revelation, he made a complete analysis of the doctrine of God. Likewise, he left messages that remain until now, such as “God is love” and “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God” l January 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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Nowadays, Rodolfo shares the Word of God by the paths he walks.
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Life stories
THE POWER OF
CHRIST’S BLOOD Ángel Rodolfo Cabrera Cárdenas was a man devoted to the devil. Subdued by the temptation of absolute power, he stood against the saint doctrine. He pretended to have everything, but he lived tormented until he managed to be liberated by the power of God.
Marlo Pérez
After splitting his soul and travelling through the astral plan, Rodolfo came back to his body and immediately felt some invisible presences holding his extremities tight, keeping him immobile. Suddenly, a man totally covered of darkness appeared and stood in front of him. Stretching out his arms, the man said: “You are mine.” After listening his words, followed by a terrifying and loud laugh, Rodolfo felt incredibly scared but he remained immobile
and answered that he did not practice sorcery. He did not do any deal with him. The demonic entity looked him with more ferocity and replied him again: “You are mine since all you do is mine and everything you have got, I gave it to you.” Rodolfo kept denying everything and before any further explanation, he was lifted in the air. He immediately realized that he was levitating. The devil revealed him that everything was happening by his power and not by Rodolfo’s will. “You are mine”, he repeated time and time again. While in the air and immobile, thousands of thoughts came to his mind. He Continue reading––
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barely remembered the Lord’s Prayer and repeated it with more fervor than ever until the entity disappeared and he fell asleep. The following day, and still confused by the experience, he decided to make a deal with the devil with the only purpose of becoming famous and rich, as well to experience the powers that made him feel so unique again. When he devoured the book “Cómo hacer un Pacto con el Diablo” (How to make a deal with the devil), he went to the mountains of the province of Manabí in Ecuador with some relatives, who managed to bring him a weasel for the sacrifice. At midnight, they ripped MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 36 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
the animal, drank its blood and ate its heart, devouring it all without repulsion. During the act, Rodolfo felt as if dozens of shadows enter his body, making him more strong and powerful. - I felt that I would become famous and rich and that I would give free rein to my bad desires, he reveals. After a month, he made everything the devil allowed him to do. He obtained everything he wanted without any effort, without suspecting that his days would finish and that the Highest would call him and offer him something that the devil has never offered: Eternal life.
Life stories
A STEP TOWARDS THE OCCULT From his birth on 16 may 1963 in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Ángel Rodolfo Cabrera Cárdenas feltlways attracted by occultism, moreover at the age of 11, when he read a book and discovered a world ruled by supernatural forces. The book entitled “Un paso a lo oculto” (A step towards the occult) initiated him in all sort of rituals and transcendental consecrations that assured him spiritual plenitude. This also motivated his interest in other sciences, like metaphysics and astrology. - This book was the trigger of my interest, he comments.
With twelve years old, his spirit travelled stratospheric spaces, while on earth his parents decided sadly to divorce and struggled the custody of him and his brothers. Rodolfo, while waiting the judicial procedures, hid himself behind fragrances and talismans to dispel bad luck and the bad spirits that divided his home. Some months after that, luck abandoned him and all his family spread to different places. At those times, Rodolfo became a regular reader of books of occultism, paranormal phenomena, split spirit, levitations, psychic sanities, among other mysteries. With fourteen years old, he specialized in these phenomena until being able to travel spiritually to the home of a friend of him, where he walked through her house and even called her name. - When I came back to my body, I did not know if it was a dream or reality, he confesses. Another day, he commented his friend what happened and she was amazed by his abilities. This confirmed that Rodolfo needed common people to feel a being with superior powers. Nonetheless, this spiritual force came together with strange forces that paralyzed him and did not let him rest at nights. The first times, he was so scared that he asked for help to his masters, but his desire of superiority overwhelmed his fears. After all this display supernatural force, he asked one of his uncles and he revealed him that he was a chosen one with lots of potential to develop that gift given by the spirits. Besides, he recommended him to acquire all sort of amulets and conjurations and to read publications about reincarnation to understand the origins and future of his gift.
REINCARNATION At the end of the 70s, Rodolfo had 16 years old and he returned with his mother together with his brothers. During that time, he experienced one of
After devouring the book “Cómo hacer un Pacto con el Diablo” (How to make a deal with the devil), he went to the mountains of the province of Manabí in Ecuador with some relatives, who managed to bring him a weasel for the sacrifice. At midnight, they ripped the animal, drank its blood and ate its heart, devouring it all without repulsion. During the act, Rodolfo felt as if dozens of shadows enter his body, making him more strong and powerful.
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Thirty days after the satanic deal in that mount, he obtained the power necessary to perform any type of supernatural things that were impossible to explain for science. A member of the Worldwide Missionary Movement began to frequent him, inviting him always to the evangelic meetings. Despite his opposite practices, he accepted to go to one worship without imagining what he would find there.
the most terrifying spiritual experiences ever. Everything happened within the country house of his grand-father, where his concern to know who he was in his past life came to his mind. First, he placed himself in front of a mirror to begin with the initiation rituals. Then, Rodolfo felt that his body started to disappear from the crystal to be replaced by specters with horrible, animal appearances. He remained immobile and calm since he had already read about these presences in his books and magazines. Suddenly, he saw the shape of a man with a very long beard and a band on his large hair, dressed with different goat skins. At that moment, a voice said from the mirror: “This was your former self in your past life.” Rodolfo asked which the name of that person was and the voice answered: “You were John the Baptist.” He did not believe that much in that revelation, but he kept investigating and studying thoroughly the occultism until trying to commit suicide to proof the myths and truths of reincarnation. Nevertheless, before experiencing those paranormal phenomena that touched his life, Rodolfo could feel the presence and love of God, even though he did not understand it the first time. This happened when he was an infant and a believer put her hands on him, his brothers and parents. He felt something very special that amazed him. He told his father about this later, but he ignored him. More than forty years after that, Rodolfo assures that the presence of God Himself touched him. - Now I understand the experience I had. Unfortunately, the devil made me seek that power through books of occultism, he remembers.
DEAL WITH GOD Thirty days after the satanic deal in that mount, he obtained the power necessary to perform any type of supernatural things that were impossible to explain for science. A member of MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 38 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
the Worldwide Missionary Movement began to frequent him, inviting him always to the evangelic meetings. Despite his opposite practices, he accepted to go to one worship without imagining what he would find there. Rodolfo sat down on one of the pews of the Christian temple and listened the whole message of the preacher and, incredibly, he repeated the prayer of the penitent while with the rest of believers, who did not know the truth of the Satanist. Two weeks after going regularly to the House of God, Rodolfo was invited to go in front of the altar. But he could not predict that the demonic forces within him would start to manifest with a series of insults and yellings, a scene that scared to the bone the whole audience. Having different hands on his head, Rodolfo listened the infernal voices telling him to suicide by picking any object big enough to hit him. Some minutes later, the prayers increased and the demonic entities were defeated. Then, he started to repeat the phrase that liberated him: “The blood of Christ has power.” When he succeeded to say that, the force of the Almighty appeared and the specters fled terrified from his body, but still yelling horribly in the temple. Several minutes later, Rodolfo was lying on the floor, crying like a newborn. The following day, he gathered all his books, magazines and amulets acquired and read for many years, and he burned them during the day. From that moment on, the Bible became his only guide and spiritual food. Even though some time afterwards he entered the army and was tempted by the devil himself to abandon the Gospel, Rodolfo never left his Christian convictions. Finally, in 17 august 1983, he definitely devoted himself to the Work of God. From that day on, he has been pastor in many churches of the Worldwide Missionary Movement of Ecuador together with his wife Verónica Guerra and his two children l
Life stories
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NEW YEAR,
NEW LIFE “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” 2 Corinthians 5:17. Rev. Luis M. Ortiz
At this time of year, people think much about new things: new clothes, new furniture and new shoes. Mankind has an irresistible tendency towards new things, and they mistakenly believe that true followers of Christ are out-of date, tacky, ridiculous people. But the truth is that we Christians are people of new things. We do not need to wait for another year or wear new clothes to enjoy the feeling of newness, because our whole being has been made new. We live in newness of life and our inward man is renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16). Likewise, there are those who regard the Scriptures as an old outdated book, but the Bible is a source of new things, such as news. Over the endless succession of centuries, the pagan world has taken refuge in their old practices seeking salvation and the Jewish world has adhered to the letter of the law, but it all has been useless. However, one serene and beautiful night, the space resonated with news for some and for others: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is CHRIST the Lord” (Luke 2:11). And when these news are believed and accepted, they produce a new birth. Because of sin, the image of God in man has been distorted and men are dead in trespasses and sins; a new beginning and a new birth are required. This is what the Lord referred to when He said to Nicodemus: “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). If the creation of the first man was the masterpiece of creation, regeneration or the new creature is the masMISSIONARY MOVEMENT 40 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
terpiece of eternity. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). This new creature has a new heart. The heart is the home of our emotions and the center of our being, and by nature the heart is deceitful and wicked (Jeremy 17:9). Christ stated: “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness” (Mark 7:21-22). God says, “A new heart also will I give you… and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26). Besides a new heart, a new mind is also given to
Devotional
us. The mind is the threshold to the human spirit; therefore, demons try to reach our mind with their bad thoughts. When those thoughts are welcomed in our mind, they reach the heart and dominate the spirit from there. The Word of God says: “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). Without Christ, the mind of man is full of impure thoughts, which is why the Word of God exhorts us to be renewed in the spirit of our mind (Romans 12: 2). As an indispensable complement to this new creature, a renewed body is also given to us. Without Christ, the body of man is the plaything of the passions of the soul. The members of the body are instruments of wickedness; the master is the human spirit controlled by the sinful soul, the body is the slave, as the sinful soul manifests its evil through the body. “Now the works of the flesh are manifest…” (Galatians 5:19-21). Therefore, a renewed body must be given to us. “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you… shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit” (Romans 8:11), so that your spirit, soul and body can be completely preserved without blameless, in peace (1 Thessalonians 5:23). And with this renewed body, our members are presented to God as instruments of righteousness: hands, feet, eyes, tongue and ears. All consecrated to God, not for a sinful soul to be revealed, but for the Spirit of God to be revealed. This new creature of God receives new life every day. This new creature with new heart, mind and body is not disconnected from the Lord. The new creature also needs to be in communion with God to receive new life from Him. He is the supporting giver of life, He is the life, He came to give us abundant life, and with this new life, we obviously receive new strength. The new creature has new strength. Without Christ, man does not have moral,
spiritual or physical strength to resist the devil, but the new creature will have new strength. This new creature will be able to meet the first and great commandment: “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength” (Mark 12:30; Deuteronomy 6:5). This new creature is governed by the virtue of love. The world is full of violence, hatreds, wars. Where do these things come from? From greed and selfishness. These two human passions govern human relations (James 4:1-2). However, this new creature is now governed by love (John 13:34; Matthew 5:44). “And every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love” (1 John 4:7-8). And the most brilliant and glorious prospects are reserved for this new creature, it has a new name. The Scriptures say: “And thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name” (Isa. 62:2). They also say: “And will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it” (Revelation 2:17). We will also live in a new city. The final dwelling place of the lost is written in the Scriptures with solemn and fearful words: outer darkness, fired furnaces, abyss, hell, lake of fire and brimstone. And if the description is terrible, what will reality be like? However, the new creature will live in the city of God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down from God out of heaven. A new city of which the pillars are gems, the gates are pearls, he gold square is like transparent glass, the temple is the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb, the light is the radiance of God, and the leading light is the Lamb. And there shall enter into it anything that defiles, neither works abomination or makes a lie, but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of Life (Revelation 21). And as a glorious summary of all this, our God emphatically declares: “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5). Dear friend, do you want a new life? Then you pray before Him and accept Christ as your personal Savior l
The final dwelling place of the lost is written in the Scriptures with solemn and fearful words: darkness, fired furnaces, abyss, hell, lake of fire and sulfur. And if this description is that terrible, what reality will be like? But the new creature will live in the city of God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from God.
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ONLY THE VIOLENT
ARE WORTHY OF HEAVEN “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force Matthew 11:12.(Bible, Reina-Valera 1909 VALERA 1909). Rev. José Arturo Soto
The message of the kingdom of heaven is a violent medicine, as we read in the Gospel of Matthew: “the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force”. This passage shows us a positive kind of
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violence, which is against the forces of evil, against the usurper who is on earth and is called Satan, who through different means and resources continues destroying humanity every day. Any fair and noble activity on this earth can be developed on just principles, on spiritual principles, governed by the fear of God. No one should think that by keeping these principles they
Devotional
would no longer be a good officer or a good professional. What the devil wants is to instill corruption in all social strata, regardless of education, financial resources, wealth or even religion, because religion is not the solution that humanity needs. Which is the weapon of the Church? The Gospel says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…” (Romans 1:16). Throughout history, it has been proven that when people embrace the true faith in the Almighty God, the people is positively transformed. For example, between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries in Europe, whole nations embraced the Gospel and society was transformed. At the time, brothels were closed as customers were scarce, bars were closed as there were no longer people thirsty for liquor, centers of corruption and depravity were closed as there were no libertines, and people found other ways to have fun, which was not sin. Judges rested and judicial and legal systems entered a time of peace and tranquility. It is said that even the donkeys understood that there was a change in society, as they were not punished or beaten as before. This gospel is transformative, this Gospel “is the power of God.” The Gospel of Christ is not a political movement; politics has its place in human schemes and we all know what the best way is. God gives us the power to watch, observe, examine and choose; that is good, but politics cannot solve the spiritual problem of humanity, the one who can do this is He who said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Someone came to Jesus and told him: “Lord, are there few that be saved?” (Luke 13:23). God looked at him and said: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat, because strait is the gate, and narrow is
the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14). God told his disciples: “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). He also said: “Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake” (Luke 18:29). Those are the violent who take the kingdom by force and stay with Him. As Levi, i.e. Matthew, whom the Lord called when he was the chief among the publicans, who were tax collectors. Picture him, perhaps at a rustic office by the street, watching the people that had to pay taxes to Rome, maybe charging more to keep some money for himself, and that is why he was rich and hated by the Jewish people. When Jesus passed by, He looked at him “and said unto him, Follow me” (Luke 5:27b). And that word was like a drill that got into the heart of Matthew, imagine the struggle that took place within him. Jesus was expecting an immediate answer, and so Levi could not resist, his will broke in a thousand pieces. The Bible says: “And he left all, rose up, and followed him” (Luke 5:28). Others like “Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him” (Matthew 4:18-20). There is the Lord waiting; when He calls there is no choice, we must obey because that is the path of victory. My brethren, these are examples of what spiritual violence is. God calls you to make a decision, God wants you to do it now, for yourself and your family, as the Bible says: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:31). Beloved, do you want to bring blessings to your home? Accept Jesus Christ as your only and sufficient Savior l
Any fair and noble activity on this earth can be developed on just principles, on spiritual principles, governed by the fear of God. No one should think that by keeping these principles they would no longer be a good officer or a good professional. What the devil wants is to instill corruption in all social strata.
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A HAPPY
HOME
“But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Chris” 2 Corinthians 11:3. Rev. Rodolfo González Cruz
Many do not know God and do not know the devil either, so they cannot tell the voice of God from the voice of the devil. The voice of God gives you good advice and conveys the best. However, when men disobey God, they endure large losses, they lose their moral, their spiritual life, their money; failure, ruin and disgrace come. When we listen to the devil’s voice, calamities come upon us.
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Many do not know the true God, and that is why the world is so troubled, tormented and ruined. We are victims of earthquakes that destroy properties and take lives, of tsunamis that devastate cities, of hurricanes that ravage villages; all kinds of disasters, where millions of households are lost. In view of these events, people wonder: Where is God? Why does He allow these disasters? Why do these calamities occur? There are too many religions in the world and too many people with different ideologies and philosophies, even materialistic and atheistic, among others. However, people do not know where the truth is, people do not know God. And when we do not know the truth, we are fooled. We should know that Satan likes to torment humans, especially families. The devil is a liar and has come “to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10), but Christ came “to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3: 8). Marriage is a divine institution. God instituted it to make man and woman happy and so that together they build a home, have children and be happy, so that children do not live under scandals and fights or filled with hatred, resentment and bitterness. How beautiful it is when boyfriend and girlfriend want to meet and talk. When there are high standards of morality and behavior, the boy is not thinking about raping her, or cheating on her, and
the girl is not thinking about giving herself to him before time. The Word of God says, “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled” (Hebrew 13:4). Worldly men who get married tell their significant other: “What is yours is yours and what is mine is mine, what I bought is mine.” They even enter into notarial contracts with lawyers, and say, “What is his is his and what is mine is mine,” because they foresee divorce, and divorce is a work of Satan. The Lord cannot be in a home where there has not been a Christian doctrine, where there is alcohol, drugs, violence, theft and all forms of sin. When children grow up in such an environment, there is sexual promiscuity even between blood siblings who, as teenagers or youngsters, have sex with each other, and parents do not know about it. There are even cases where the girl gets pregnant and to avoid a greater scandal they lie. All this comes from the deceiver, who came to make suffer and torment families. Beloved, the devil has deceived you and led you to a stairway to suffering, failure and defeat. But here we are to tell you that there is only one true God, the one who created the first man and the first woman. God instructed Adam and Eve, visited them and talked with them. However, one day, Eve talked with the devil through the serpent. And nowadays, there are many people who speak with the devil every day, and he tells them to do bad things which go against the principles of the Scriptures.
Devotional
Jesus said, “He who is of God hears God’s words”, (John 8:47); and on another occasion He said, “for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18:37). Many do not know God and do not know the devil either, so they cannot tell the voice of God from the voice of the devil. The voice of God gives you good advice and conveys the best. However, when men disobey God, they endure large losses, they lose their moral, their spiritual life, their money; failure, ruin and disgrace come. When we listen to the devil’s voice, calamities come upon us. We must learn to tell the voice of God from the voice of the devil. It is good to know God, the only one who came from heaven, the only Son of God called Jesus Christ who loves us so much. He is the true “way, the truth, and
the life” (John 14:6). When someone rejects Jesus’ love, they are not of God, but of the devil. They will never be free, they will never be happy; and when they die, they will have to suffer the consequence of what God has determined: “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18). Beloved, if alcohol, drugs, adultery, crime, prostitution, homosexuality, and all uncleanness are destroying your home and your life, God wants to bless you. He wants to break the chains that Satan has placed on your life and your home. The Bible says: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:31). At this very moment, satanic princes will go away in the name of Jesus. Amen l
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Interview
“MORE DOORS TO EXTEND
THE WORK” In the year of its 50th anniversary, Rev. Manuel Zúñiga, Supervisor of the WMM in Costa Rica, provided an overview of its history, present and the growing project called “Bethel Television Costa Rica.”
The Worldwide Missionary Movement in Costa Rica have begun celebrating its 50th anniversary and the central date will be next July. Rev. Manuel Zúñiga, Supervisor of the WMM in Costa Rica, met with the Impacto Evangelistic magazine and gave a brief account of these five decades of work for Christianity. He also explained the current structure of the work of the Almighty and revealed details about the “Bethel Television Costa Rica” project. How did the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Costa Rica start? In 1965, Pastor Fernando Prada, leader of a local evangelical church in San José, met in Panama Brother Teodoro Marrero, missionary for the Pentecostal Church of God. The latter recommended him to join the Worldwide Missionary Movement. Brother Marrero contacted Pastor Luis M. Ortiz and traveled with him to Costa Rica. After their arrival, Pastor Prada and his parish invited Brother Ortiz to preach the MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 46 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
Word in his temple. Such was the impact of Pastor Ortiz’s message that the WMM in Costa Rica was began right there. When did the movement begin to gain ground? It was in 1969, when Brother Luis A. Monge was sent to the province of Limón to handle a church with just five members. It was thanks to the work of Monge, who was appointed Pastor of the central temple in 1972, that works were established in Alajuela, San Carlos, Limón Heredia and San José . It was at this time that the WMM boom began and churches were founded throughout the territory of Costa Rica. Together with Rev. Monge, who was National Supervisor from July 1972 to March 1991, seventy churches were established and the whole country was covered with the Word of the Almighty. What is your balance two years after being appointed Supervisor of the Work in Costa Rica?
Thanks to the Lord’s leading, we continued and enhanced the great work done by my predecessors. In this regard, it’s worth mentioning that, ever since I took office, the WMM in Costa Rica has been working day and night in the crystallization of a project called “Bethel Television Costa Rica”, which will allow us to have an exclusive media to broadcast the Word of the Creator. In that sense, I am convinced that the Lord will open more doors to extend his Work. For now, we have radio programs in different provinces and a television program broadcast by Channel 31. How is the WMM in Costa Rica currently organized? The country is divided into twenty presbyteries due to the growth of the Work. To date we have 172 churches and 91 white fields. In addition, we have 347 workers, 185 ordained ministers, 89 licensed ministers and 73 lay workers l January 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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Photos: Samuel Reyes
A quick report of the work that Worldwide Missionary Movement is making in America and throughout the world. The Holy Bible states: “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple... And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved”. (Acts 2:46,47).
Workers for the
Lord’s vineyard The 17th National Youth Convention of the WMM in the United States was held in Miami. Over 4 000 followers of God gathered at the James L. Knight Center. The 17th National Youth Convention of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in the United States was held in Miami from November 26 to 28 in the premises of the Hyatt Regency Miami Hotel. It set a precedent in the history of God’s Work in North America, as it gathered more than 4 000 followers of the Lord from different parts of the United States. Held under the theme “Workers For
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Events
My Vineyard”, inspired by the book of Matthew 20: 1-8, this meeting had a big impact on southeast Florida. The James L. Knight Center, owned by the Hyatt Regency Miami Hotel with capacity for 4 500 people, was the venue where members of the Movement in the United States gathered for three days. Among others, it was attended by Rev. Gustavo Martinez, President of the Work of God, and his wife, Sister Carmen de Martinez; Rev. Rodolfo Gonzalez, WMM International Treasurer, and his wife, Sister Rita Gonzalez de Vazquez; Rev. Luis Meza Bocanegra, International Director of the Movement, and Rev. David Echalar, National Supervisor of the WMM in Italy. Some of the most important speeches of the Word of Jesus Christ were: “Who will go?” based on 1 Peter 4: 1; “You are missing,” based on Matthew 4: 19; “Stand up and leave a legacy for life,” Continue reading–– January 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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Continue reading––
based on 2 Timothy 1: 5; and “Go from you country and look at the Lord,” based on Genesis 15: 1-6. Likewise, during the convention, Rev. Arturo Hernández, National Supervisor of the WMM in the United States, highlighted the importance of bringing Christianity to the US states not yet evangelized through the plan called “Vision USA”. At the event, which was broadcast to the five continents by the international signal of Bethel Television, Rev. Martinez shared the word of the Almighty in a preaching that proved to be useful for the members of the Lord’s Work. “Maybe you’re in a familiar, friendly environment where you feel good. However, you might not be where God wants you to be, you are not in the spiritual environment He wants you to be. Perhaps MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 50 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
Events
you are in a religious environment, in a kind of spiritual atmosphere, and you believe that God can bless you there, but God is telling you at this Convention “Get out of your country and go to the land I will show you,” the pastor said. Another leader of the Movement who conveyed the Word of the Creator in the 17th National Youth Convention of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in the United States was Rev. González Cruz in an emotional message that struck more than one believer. In his preaching, Pastor Rodolfo stressed: “You can be an instrument in God’s hands, a powerful instrument, but all you have to do is surrender, and the Lord will do great things with you. Make your choice tonight because Jesus Christ needs you for his Work. The Lord is looking for workers, men and women, to spread His Word to the world“ l January 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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Live soberly and
godly
The WMM in Puerto Rico held the Fellowship of Zone 5 in the town of Barranquitas, where people were urged to renounce ungodliness and worldly desires. In the temple of the town of Barranquitas, the so-called ‘Altar of the Country’, the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Puerto Rico held the Fellowship of Zone 5. On November 15, many believers of the Lord came to this church, located in the Central Cordillera of the island, from the different churches in towns such as Naranjito, Orocovis, Cidra, Comerio and Corozal and other parts of Puerto Rico. They praised and honored the Eternal MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 52 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
Father throughout the event organized by the Work of the Almighty. The Fellowship of Zone 5 was held in a context of deep faith and was attended by reverends Rubén Concepción and Margaro Figueroa, International Officers of the Movement, and by the members of the National Board of the WMM in Puerto Rico. In this regard, we can highlight the excellent participation of the “Odas al Rey” choral group
Events
responsible for the spiritual songs, which worshipped God and made a very pleasant impression on pastors Concepción and Figueroa due to its overwhelming emotion. Rev. Albert Rivera, Member of the Board of Officers of the WMM in Puerto Rico, was in charge of evangelizing the people of the Almighty. Pastor Rivera, who gave a message entitled “What is the role model regarding the conduct of the Christian family?,” urged the believers to transmit biblical teachings through
a good conduct in our communities. Inspired by Titus 2, the minister of the Lord added that Christians must give up on ungodliness and worldly desires and should “live soberly, fairly, and godly.” At the end of the day, the flock formed by women and men of Barranquitas, Naranjito, Orocovis, Cidra, Comerio, Corozal and other parts of Puerto Rico, left the place with the reward of having participated in a magnificent event in which the Creator was present from start to finish in the Church of Barranquitas l January 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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Youth of the Savior The WMM in El Salvador held a series of youth fellowships simultaneously throughout the Central American territory spreading the Word of our Lord.
Under the same spirit, hundreds of young people mobilized throughout the territory of El Salvador to seek the Lord’s face in various youth fellowships held by the Worldwide Missionary Movement. These spiritual activities took place from October 15 to October 26 and were organized by the Board of Directors of God’s Work in El Salvador. The events were led by Rev. Adán Huber Sosa and MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 54 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
Rev. Carlos Elizondo, National President of the Youth in Costa Rica, who was specially invited to minister the Word of God. Due to the scale of activities and the great number of young Christians that filled up the facilities of the Movement, the Christian event was divided and distributed in four areas: western, central, paracentral and east. It was attended by the different churches of El Salvador
Events
along with their respective youth delegations. In the west zone, the services were held in the church of Chalchuapa, located in the department of Santa Ana, 78 kilometers away from the city of San Salvador. In the central area, the worships were held in the churches of San Marcos Mejicanos and El Pino. In the paracentral zone, the activities were developed in the temples of the WMM in Jerusalem and Ostuma. Furthermore, in the east zone, similar devotionals were held in the churches of San Miguel, Quelepa and Villa San Antonio, which were greatly attended by the Salvadoran youth. From the beginning to the
last day of activities, the people of the Creator attended the call of the Movement to enjoy messages such as “The Pastor Of The Wounded Hands,” “A Generation That Preserves Life,” “The Church Of The Unshakable Kingdom” “Seeking God With All Your Heart” and “I Know Whom I Have Believed.” They were preached by reverends Sosa and Elizondo and by different pastors of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in El Salvador, who guided hundreds of young Christians l January 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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Great victories With the attendance of a group of International Officers, the 44th National Convention of the WMM in the Dominican Republic took place in Santo Domingo. An event that was broadcast via television to the world. Because of the 44th National Convention of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in the Dominican Republic, held under the theme “Conviction 2014”, followers of the Lord filled up the karate pavilion of the Juan Pablo Olympic Center in the city of Santo Domingo from October 23 to October 25. It was a glorious event that had an impact around the world through live coverage of Bethel Television. Along with the Dominican believers, the event was also attended by Rev. Gustavo Martínez, International President of the Work of the Almighty, Rodolfo González, International Treasurer, and Margaro Figueroa, InternaMISSIONARY MOVEMENT 56 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
tional Officer. Likewise, delegations from Puerto Rico, Peru and Haiti arrived in Santo Domingo to be received by Rev. Rubén Concepción, Secretary and National Supervisor of the Movement in the Dominican Republic. On October 23, the inauguration day, Pastor Figueroa preached the Word of the Almighty and developed a message entitled “The Price of Victory”, based on 1 Kings 19: 1-5. With his direct, accurate and simple style, the minister of the Creator reminded the faithful that it is time to mature, to believe in God, to make large projects and to achieve extraordinary victories. Bible in hand, the reverend presen-
Events
ted the public with the content of the Scriptures: “Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword... But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, it is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.” Then, on October 24, the Meeting of Workers was held in the largest temple that the Work owns in the province of Santo Domingo. The meeting was attended by a large group of workers, national officers and zone presbyters of the
WMM in Santo Domingo. The message was spread by Rev. Martínez, who gave a speech entitled “How is the heart that pleases God?” On the last date of the Convention, Rev. Rubén Concepción based his speech on the book of Revelation to minister the church. After his message, twenty brothers were promoted during the worker promotion. In addition, the National Board of Officers of the Dominican Republic was renewed with a new committee of pastors. Finally, Rev. González spoke about the book of Daniel and encouraged the church of the Dominican Republic to be prepared for the encounter with the Savior l January 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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All together
with God
The city of Geneva hosted the 5th National Fellowship of the WMM in Switzerland. Pastors and brothers from all over the country and Europe attended the event. Geneva, financial and worldwide center of diplomacy, hosted the 5th National Fellowship of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Switzerland from November 21 to November 23, 2014. This part of the Swiss territory, near the border with France, was visited by over two hundred brothers from different cities of Switzerland. The international attendance consisted of Rev. David Echalar, his wife and other pastors from Italy. Delegations from Germany, Austria, Spain and the Netherlands participated as well. On the second day of activities, Rev. David Echalar read Exodus 34:35 and said: “And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with Him.” After the biblical text, the Supervisor of Italy and Europe offered a prayer, and God’s glory once again showed its presence at the National Fellowship of the Movement in Switzerland. Moments later, Rev. Echalar gave a message called “The Holy Anointing Oil and the five ministries” and shared the word of God, stressing the importance of the Lord’s blesMISSIONARY MOVEMENT 58 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
sings in the life of his servants, to whom ministerial positions are granted to lead and guide the whole people of God.
PERFECT IN UNITY “Perfect in Unity” was the theme given to this National Fellowship in which reverends from Italy Hugo López, Ramón Ortega, David Echalar and Galo Fiori preached the word of the Almighty. At the end of the National Fellowship, Rev. Jimmy Ramírez, a missionary in Switzerland, thanked the attendance for its participation and highlighted the work of the WMM’s media in Switzerland. In his speech, he mentioned online radio and television “Ebenezer” and the official website for the transmission of the 5th National Fellowship of the Movement in Switzerland l
Events
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Sanctified against
falsehood
Despite the inclement weather, the WMM in Italy held the 7th National Fellowship of Men in the city of Genoa, attended by delegations from Italy, Belgium, Holland and Switzerland.
Neither the heavy rains and floods that paralyzed a great part of Liguria, nor the alert given by the Italian authorities on the eve of the event, prevented thousands of followers of the Lord in Italy from attending the 7th National Fellowship of Men held in Genoa by the Work of the Almighty from November 14 to November 16, 2014. With the participation of brothers from the works in Netherlands, Switzerland and Belgium, the Fellowship paid no attention to the weather conditions and took place without incident. On the first day, Rev. Luis Valderrama, Presbyter of the South Zone of the WMM in Italy, shared the good news of the Creator. MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 60 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
Events
Through a message entitled “The other shore”, Pastor Valderrama told that God wants his followers to never lose faith. On November 15, Rev. Jimmy Ramírez, Presbyter of the Work of the Almighty in Switzerland, evangelized the large audience through a speech entitled “Courage to conquer,” where he explained that we must have courage to conquer what God has prepared for every man even when resources are scarce. “Our projects are not normal, but divine, heavenly and born in the
heart of God,” said the minister. At the end of the 7th National Fellowship of Men, Rev. David Echalar, National Supervisor of the Work of God in Italy, preached the Word of the Almighty through a speech entitled “Let be, let the anointing flow”. Based on Zechariah 4, Pastor Echalar expressed the need to be “sanctified against falsehood, fornication, adultery, evil desires and greed.” The minister of the Lord invited members of the Movement to fill with the anointing of the Holy Spirit l January 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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At the feet
of the Creator As part of a local fellowship, the church of the WMM in the Brazilian city of Boa Vista introduced its new pastor and paid tribute to the Lord in the capital of the state of Roraima, near the border with Venezuela.
In the city of Boa Vista, in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon rainforest near the border with Venezuela, the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Brazil held from October 24 to October 26, 2014, an emotional fellowship to introduce the new minister of God in this church, Pastor Isaque, who took over to replace Pastor Daniel da Silva. The event, held in the capital of the Brazilian state of Roraima, was attended by MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 62 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
a large number of believers from different parts of Brazil. In the beginning of the fellowship, Pastor Isaque assumed his new position and expressed his joy for this new task assigned by the Almighty. Moreover, in his message to the congregation, he said that his primary mission is to preach the Gospel and bring more souls to the Lord’s feet. On the opening day, Pastor Daniel da Silva, who was transferred to the state of Pará, thanked the Creator for his guidance and love that allowed him to accomplish the task entrusted by the Lord’s Work. The growing church of Boa Vista paid honor to Christ as part of this activity of faith and was visited by some local leaders of the Movement. Among the main men of faith who attended this spiritual celebration were pastors Henry Ramos, José Luis Ramírez and Josué Pinzón. The temple of Boa Vista, which was filled up, witnessed the conversion of several men and women who did not know about the truth and love of Jesus Christ l
Build a home
Events
The women of the WMM in Argentina had an encounter with God that edified their lives. The sisters strengthened their faith in the Lord through prayer, praise and hymns.
A great number of women of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Argentina gathered in Buenos Aires on October 11, 2014, for a special meeting with God. The meeting, called “Do not build a house, build a home,” sought to reach the objective of edifying the spirit of all the attendees. Over hundred sisters from different parts of Argentina’s capital attended the retreat. They strengthened their faith in the Lord through prayer, praise and hymns that were sung in the Christian devotional. The Word of God, given by speaker Analía Bazán, was about:
“Women today”. At night, Sister Martha Saavedra de Parrado, wife of the National Supervisor of the WMM in Argentina, was honored for her hard work within the Worldwide Missionary Movement. At the end of the activity, Sister Elsa Falconí, who convened the event, spoke to all the attendees with some warm words of farewell l January 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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Other Events
NICARAGUA NATIONAL CONVENTION
The Work of the Worldwide Missionary Movement of Nicaragua held the 12th National Convention last November 27-30, 2014 under the theme “I will be anointed with fresh oil.” This important spiritual activity took place at the Sport Center of Granada. It gathered all congregations, pastors and brothers of the country. The spiritual event was attended by Rev. Alvaro Garavito, Director of the Board of International Officers of the Work, and Rev. Rubén Concepción, Secretary of the Board of International Officers. During these days, the Lord’s people in Nicaragua lived great moments in the presence of the Lord and were ministered by the powerful Word of Jesus Christ l
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PANAMA NATIONAL WOMEN CONVENTION
Souls saved, sick healed and baptism in the Holy Spirit were the outcome of the 18th National Women Convention in Panama City, Republic of Panama, under the theme: “Renew our days as you used to.” Women from provinces of Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Veraguas, Herrera, Los Santos, Cocle, Panama Oeste, Panama Centro, Colon, Darien and Comarca de Kuna Yala, gathered from November 19 to 22, 2014 in the camp of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Chilibre. The Word of the Lord flowed like a river during the day with workshops and teachings given by Rev. José A. Soto, International Vice President; José A. Ramea, National Supervisor; Epifanio Asprilla; Eliseo Obando; Melvin Byram; Agustín Batista and Luis Bracho. They focused on issues such as marriage, parenting and strengthening family ties. The powerful Word of God was conveyed for four nights by sisters Ada Luz Gonzales, Sheyla de Hernandez, Rosalba de Asprilla and Elizabeth de Calderon, who were used by the Lord in a wonderful way l
CHILE YOUTH CONFERENCE
The Central Church of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Santiago de Chile held on September 13 the 1st Youth Conference under the theme “Engagement and Marriage.” The teaching aimed at young people was shared by Sister Maritza Montoya de Martinez. In the second half, there was a section of questions and answers developed by Rev. Gerardo Martínez, National Supervisor of the WMM in this country. Over sixty youngsters and teenagers participated in this conference, which was a blessing to their lives through teachings, advice, guidance and strength. Glory to God! l
ECUADOR FELLOWSHIP IN ESMERALDAS
A glorious Fellowship and Evangelistic Campaign was held on October 24-26 in the city of Parroquia Tonsupa organized by the Worldwide Missionary Movement and chaired by Zone 3 of the Work in Ecuador. It was an activity full of the power of God, which from day one was felt in a very special way. Many people accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and many sick were healed. It can be said that it was an explosion of glory. Rev. Rodolfo Cabrera, Presbyter of Zone 1 was responsible for bringing the powerful message of the Word of God. 600 people gathered for this activity and many converted. We thank God for such a blessing l
The converted atheist
Reflections
Little more than a decade ago, English philosopher Anthony Flew acknowledged the existence of God, which shocked the English-speaking academic world. 2014 marks the tenth anniversary of the intellectual conversion of the most prominent atheist of the twentieth century, English philosopher Anthony Flew (1923-2010). After dedicating his life to the spread of atheism, Flew caused quite a stir in the English-speaking academic world in late 2004, when he professed his faith in a creator God. The last work of Flew, “There is a God,” has been quite an achievement. It is a small book published in 2007 in which Flew tells the full story of his intellectual conversion. It is full of autobiographical information, but the most interesting part of it are the three reasons he gives to explain his radical worldview change. Which are those reasons? 1) The origin of the laws of nature; 2) The origin of life; and 3) The origin of the universe. 1. The origin of the laws of nature (chapters 5 and 6). Flew believes that the intelligent design argument is very persuasive. The existence of laws (i.e., symmetry/regularities) in nature reveals a divine mind behind them. These very laws, explains the English man, led Albert Einstein and the fathers of quantum physics (among others) to postulate the concept of the Mind of God. In an interview with Benjamin Wiker, Flew confessed: “There had to be an Intelligence behind the integrated complexity of the physical universe. A divine Mind.” 2. The origin of Life (chapter 7). Another thing that Flew could not explain from an atheistic worldview was the origin of life itself. How did life arise and was preserved on our planet? One thing is to have physical laws that allow the existence of life, but another thing is the emergence of life itself. And we do not talk about any kind of life, but intelligent life. Flew wondered, “How can a universe made of mindless matter produce beings with intrinsic ends, self-replication capabilities and ‘coded chemistry’?” Such questions are a great scientist and intellectual challenge for atheism in the 20th century. In simple
words, materialism cannot successfully explain many intelligence signs. It tries to hide behind chemical reactions. However, DNA and RNA revealed that life is about a lot more than just a series of chemical reactions. For Flew, something was certain: “The only satisfactory explanation for the origin of such end-directed, self-replicating life as we see on earth is an infinitely intelligent Mind.” 3. The existence of the universe (chapter 8). Flew not only was perplexed by the laws of nature and the intelligent life existing on Earth, but the existence of the cosmos also led him to God. Since nothing comes out of nowhere, everything has to come from something. The universe is something that requires an explanation. In this regard, the key point for Flew was the discovery of the Big Bang theory. “When I first met the bigbang theory as an atheist, it seemed to me the theory made a big difference because it suggested that the universe had a beginning and that the first sentence in Genesis (…) was related to an event in the universe. As long as the universe could be comfortably thought to be not only without end but also without beginning, it remained easy to see its existence (and its most fundamental features) as brute facts. And if there had been no reason to think the universe had a beginning, there would be no need to postulate something else that produced the whole thing. But the bigbang theory changed all that. If the universe had a beginning, it became entirely sensible, almost inevitable, to ask what produced this beginning.” The inability of science when understanding the cause of the Big Bang led Flew to the postulate about God. It was not possible to continue believing in the eternity of matter. The Big Bang postulates that everything came from something and that this something had to be immensely large. That immensely large something is God l January 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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THEY WRITE TO US... cartas@impactoevangelistico.net SEBASTIAN RAMIREZ God bless you. I thank God for this magazine that is a blessing and keeps the sound doctrine in spite of the hard attacks suffered by the Work of the Lord. May God be with you. Many blessings. From Bogota, Colombia.
GLOBAL AGENDA 2015 JANUARY 1-4 National Convention in Puerto Rico 6-13 National Convention in Colombia
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ROBERTO ERNESTO ÁVILA May the Lord Jesus Christ allow your families and other brethren in this ministry to be fine. I am evangelical pastor who used to minister in a small church in Las Tunas, Cuba. When I was surfing the internet, the Lord showed me your website, where I learned about your
important ministry. I ask the Lord to continue using you with power in this valuable work, and I beg you to pray for the Lord to accomplish the true purpose for which He has brought to this country us from Cuba. We are taking the word of salvation to the Cuban community residing in this city. Please pray and intercede for us before God, we need you. From Limpopo, South Africa.
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