Edition for AMERICA
evangelistic
THE MAGAZINE THAT EDIFIES YOUR LIFE
May 2018 / Edition 772
www.impactoevangelistico.net
The truth about spiritual decay and greed
THE LUKEWARM CHURCH OF
LAODICEA CURRENT EVENTS
LIFE STORY
DEVOTIONAL
The complex conflict in Syria
Under the tree of life
Do you want God’s blessing?
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
WORLDWIDE MISSIONARY MOVEMENT
Convention in
olland H From May 24 to 27 De Kroeze Danne Deldem Auditorium
Worldwide Missionary Movement MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 2 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
editorial
WHEN PROBLEMS
SEEM BIG
Rev. José Arturo Soto B. International President of the MMM
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel… And they returned from searching of the land after forty days. And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation… Numbers 13:1-2,25-26.
D
ear brothers: How strong is you trust in
ready for war; then, they examined other areas of
the Lord? How is strong is your faith? Are
the country and found descendants of Anak, a
you maturing? Are they still increasing? Have they
race of giants who were almost three meters tall
been decreasing? That can never happen! We have
and trained to battle.
to keep our faith alive. Our faith must be passiona-
That was their vision, a negative vision led by
te, powerful, active, fruitful; it must accomplish all
the earthly logic. As they were realistic, they could
its goals and must never die. That is why we need
only see troubles, which they considered to be too
faith of great quality just like that of the two spies.
big; that is how they stopped following God. They
The twelve spies explored the land and found
lost their vision and lost sight of the Lord.
out it was just like God had described it. It was a
Two of the twelve spies, Joshua and Caleb, fo-
cultivable, fertile and beautiful land in a nice and
llowed God’s principle, which is greater than the
fruitful place. God had not deceived them. Let’s
circumstances. It does not matter how big pro-
recall that they were slaves and lived in extreme
blems are, God is always greater and bigger than
poverty in Egypt. Then, they lived for years in the
any of them. He who is with us is greater than that
desert, which was not comfortable at all. They fina-
who is on earth!
lly found the land God had promised them, a land
Joshua and Caleb saw what the Lord had
with special features to live on, a land where they
promised them a land where there is milk and
could develop.
honey. They had an opportunity that was not to
However, ten of the twelve spies were impres-
postpone. They imagined themselves living in Ca-
sed by the difficulties it implied. They could only
naan, eating its fruits; they did not focus on the
see problems. Perhaps, they were expecting to find
problem. God has called us to conquer big busi-
a land without problems, but instead they found
nesses, to conquer giants. When we believe pro-
walled and fortified cities. They started analyzing
blems are big, God may seem small, but God is
the population and realized that those people were
not small… He is the greatest and the biggest!
May 2018 / Impacto evangelistic
3
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evangelistic Founder Director: Rev. Luis M. Ortiz MAY 2018 / EDITION N° 772 (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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BOARD OFFICERS OF WMM INC. Rev. José Soto President Rev. Humberto Henao Vice president Rev. Rubén Concepción Secretary Rev. Gustavo Martínez Treasurer Rev. Álvaro Garavito Director Rev. Rómulo Vergara Director Rev. Luis Meza Director Rev. Clemente Vergara Director Rev. Carlos Guerra 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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• 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.
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28 / HEROES OF FAITH. MLK, a man of faith DEVOTIONALS 40 / OUTSTANDING SIGNS CONCERNING ISRAEL Rev. Luis M. Ortiz 42 / DO YOU WANT GOD’S BLESSING? Rev. Gustavo Martínez
The Lukewarm church of Laodicea
6
Life stories
24 / LITERATURE. All the women of the Bible
Analysis
18 / COVER. The lethal crossroads of Syria
Report
16 / WELL-BEING. Healthy Eating
The new impact of
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Under the tree Judas and of life the lost opportunity
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44 / REMAIN FAITHFUL IN HARDSHIP Rev. Rodolfo González 48 / EVENTS.
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64 / OTHER EVENTS.
May 2018 / Impacto evangelistic
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JESUS clearly warned that a church would evolve in the last days of civilization, which would boast that it was rich, growing and increasing in numbers, and self-sufficient. In other words, a church with great influence, gaining in visibility and power, while refusing all correction or scrutiny. This is the lukewarm generation. David Wilkerson
Jesus said of this church, “It will say...I am rich, increasing with goods [wealthy], and in need of nothing...” (Revelation 3:17). How sad that this particular church, arrogant and boastful, is being heralded by so many undiscerning Christians as the glorious last days church of power and dominion, which will subdue the world and bring King Jesus back. It is the Laodicean lie! One dear soul wrote the following, “Don’t you know that all these great building projects by evangelists are ordained of God? The church is going to take over the government. Spirit-filled leaders are going to make the laws, doing away with abortion, pornography and crime. God has raised up a powerful church to take dominion now.” The main element in the concept of “the Kingdom of God on earth” is that of a perfectly righteous rule, embracing all nations; under which rule all injustice, oppression and strife will cease, the evils of poverty be no more known, and all men dwell in peace and prosperity as brethren. What alarms me is that many fundamentalists now share similar Pollyanna views about the role of the modern American church. It seems to me they are boasting, “We have arrived! We have 30 to 40 million evangelicals. We have charming, popular, articulate leaders. We have the money, the expertise and growing numbers who will join us. Let’s take dominion!” It is MOVIMIENTOMISSIONARY MISIONERO MOVEMENT MUNDIAL 6 WORLDWIDE América • Europe America Europa • Oceanía • África • Asia
THE LUKEWARM CHURCH OF
LAO
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ODICEA Abril May2018 2018/ /Impacto ImpactoevangelĂstico evangelistic
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that blatant, that boastful! This proud, rich, arrogant church now covets power. Not the power of God, but political power. Like Israel, many of God’s people are crying for an Imperial pulpit with a spiritual leader who will root out the entrenched powers of evil and legislate a new moral system. The pointed, accusing finger of thundering prophets and weeping watchmen is to be replaced by the refined pen of Christian congressmen enacting moral laws. THIS IS THE CHURCH
The Laodicean lukewarm church is not destined to dominion, power and authority of any kind. It is destined to judgment! MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 8 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
This kind of teaching is a direct result of spiritual declension, lukewarmness and weariness with cross-bearing. When love for Jesus is on fire, there is a longing for His soon return. But now, because sin abounds, the love of many waxes cold; self-sacrifice and self-denial are repudiated; and the church runs off to seek the honor and power of this world.
It is not what it thinks it is, it is not what it says it is. It is not rich, it is poor! It is not on the increase, it is wretched and about to be forever cut off! It is not strong and in need of nothing, but rather, it is naked shameful! It is not a church with new revelation and deep Scriptural insights, Jesus said it is blind! It is not going to be the vehicle of Christ’s dominion on earth, but rather the object of His wrath and abhorrence. You can be sure God has a people for Himself in these final days, but they are a despised, holy and separated remnant. This holy remnant people walk in the light and enjoy great discernment. They see the modern Laodicean church through the
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eyes of Jesus and they will not be deceived by the pomp, bigness and outward grandeur of popular religion. The true church cannot possibly enjoy the favor and goodwill of the world. Jesus said, “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you… If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you…” (John 15:19-20). Paul emphatically states, “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). It is absolutely impossible for the true church to be approved or accepted by the world. Jesus warned,
“Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! For so did their fathers to the false prophets” (Luke 6:26). For nearly two thousand years, the church of Jesus Christ has been rejected and persecuted by the world. The blood of millions of rejected martyrs cries out from the ground. For centuries, spirit-led men and women of God have been burned at the stake, sawn asunder, chased and hunted down like animals. Godly saints were beheaded; others were drowned; many were thrown to the lions. The Bibles says they all died in faith and the world was not worthy of them. Am I now to believe that Jesus has changed His mind and has decided to close
out the ages with a lukewarm, rich, pampered, boastful, self-centered church? The dead, cold, liberal church has long ago been given up to its sinful ways, the Spirit of God left them years ago. Those who claim to be Spirit-baptized and led are the ones who go forth saying, “God wants you rich, increased with goods and selfsufficient in all things.” What God deplores is the mixture being introduced in Charismatic circles. Mixture is synonymous with lukewarmness. You find this mixture everywhere you look nowadays. Attend a so-called Christian rock concert, for example. What incredible mixture. They usually begin with, “We are
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For centuries, spirit-led men and women of God have been burned at the stake, sawn asunder, chased and hunted down like animals. Godly saints were beheaded; others were drowned; many were thrown to the lions. The Bibles says they all died in faith and the world was not worthy of them. Am I now to believe that Jesus has changed His mind and has decided to close out the ages with a lukewarm, rich, pampered, boastful, self-centered church?
here only to minister Jesus, to glorify Him.” You will hear a sweet talk about holiness, repentance, and giving up all for Jesus. Then suddenly the spirit of Elvis Presley seems to fall upon them and they are transformed right before your eyes into rollicking, unabashed, sensuous hard rockers. Before the event is over, you will hear them boast, “We are going to take Jesus where the church never goes. Into bars, secular concerts, and music programs! We want to get to the same crowd the world gets.” THE LAODICEAN LIE
Can you believe what they are now preaching? They are saying, “Jesus can’t come until we subdue the earth. He can’t come until we take dominion and bring Him back to a world we have brought into submission.” They mock the idea of an imminent, unexpected return of Christ. This kind of teaching is a direct result of spiritual declension, lukewarmness and weariness with cross-bearing. When love for Jesus is on fire, there is a longing for His soon return. But now, because sin abounds, the love of many waxes cold; self-sacrifice and self-denial are repudiated; and the church runs off to seek the honor and power of this world. They now scoff at the idea of believers being “… changed… in the twinkling of an eye” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). They have put the coming of the Lord into the remote future MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 10 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
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and their primary concern is not what Christ is doing, but what the church is doing. The present interest is not internal, but external: to gather in new members, to grow in influence and to set up an earthly kingdom. Paul wrote, “For yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night...but ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief...” (1 Thessalonians 5:2-4). Peter said: “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night” (2 Peter 3:10). Jesus warned, “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour…” (Matthew 25:13). The crown of righteousness which the Judge shall give on that day is reserved only for “… them that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8). I ask you, do you anticipate His soon return? Do you yearn for it? Is His coming to gather His elect still your hope? It was for Paul, who wrote, “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). The very last words of Jesus in the Bible are, “… Surely, I come quickly…” (Revelation 22:20). The Laodicean church has self-elected
The Laodicean church has selfelected itself, without any guidance of the Holy Ghost, not to light the world, but to subdue it. She has become the greatest teacher of lies in the universe. She is confident of her own strength and wisdom, while mingling anti-Christ falsehoods with the truth of the Gospel.
itself, without any guidance of the Holy Ghost, not to light the world, but to subdue it. She has become the greatest teacher of lies in the universe. She is confident of her own strength and wisdom, while mingling anti-Christ falsehoods with the truth of the Gospel. She has decided to break down the great distinction Christ put between the church and the world. MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 12 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST
The Apostles saw in the supernatural person of the King a foreshadowing of the greatness and glory of His kingdom (2 Peter 1:16). As the incarnate Son of God, and having all power in heaven and earth, His kingdom though on earth could not be compared with earthly kingdoms. And, as the King was a man raised from the dead
and made immortal, and so could be God’s perfect ruler through all ages, so must all those be who would be His helpers in the administration of His rule. His kings and priests must be made like unto Him; and only under such a heavenly government could a perfect social order be established, and all nations dwell in peace under His sway. When this work of intercession
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should be finished, and the church, His body, gathered and perfected, then and only then would He come forth to seat Himself upon the throne… (Matthew 25:31). This is the apostolic concept of Christ’s kingdom. This differs greatly with those who teach that Christ commissioned the church to administer the kingdom in His absence, and to bring all nations under obe-
dience. They teach that Christ can return only after all nations believe in Him and righteousness and peace fill all the earth. This is a radical departure from what the Apostles taught. Rome fully developed this doctrine of dominion centuries ago. It was formulated by Augustine in his “City of God.” The church then laid claim to rule in Christ’s
behalf in His absence. They carried the teaching through to its logical conclusion by asserting the absolute supremacy of its bishop, the Pope. There is a practical denial of the power of Satan as “the prince of this world” (John 12:31). They cannot deny his existence, for it has been most clearly testified to by the Lord and the Apostles. Nor can they say that his power has been overthrown and that he is no longer to be feared. Paul called him “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4), and John said: “… The world lieth in the power of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19). In Revelation 12:3, he appears under the symbol of the dragon as the active enemy of God, and this down to the overthrow of the antichrist, and till he himself is bound (Revelation 19:20). But in spite of all these clear declarations, the Laodiceans now say, “Satan no longer reigns; he is bound; he can offer no effectual opposition to our unity or to our missionary activity and to our establishing the kingdom.” Believing they are no longer exposed to the attacks of this subtle and powerful adversary, they see no need for special watchfulness. “The strong man being bound, the church can securely spoil his goods; being cast out of the earth, the church can now take possession of it.” What a subtle perversion of truth! Jesus said: “… my kingdom is not of this world... my kingdom is not from hence” (John 18:36). That settles it for me, as it should for all believers who tremble at His Word. As for me, I choose to be seated with Christ in heavenly places, and to be among those Enoch prophesied about, “… behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of saints” (Jude 14). Church of Jesus-Christ, let no man deceive you concerning our Lord’s return! Draw comfort from our Lord’s promise: “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).
May 2018 / Impacto evangelistic
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LAODICEA
MACEDONIA
Laodicea was one of the churches Paul visited and where he received epistles (Col. 4:16). It is also one of the seven cities mentioned in the Book of Revelation (the others were Ephesus, Smyrna, Perganum, Thyatira, Sardis and Philadelphia; see Revelation 1:11). Paul wrote to the saints living in Colossae, which is 18 km to the east of Laodicea.
ROMA
It was a city to the west of Asia Minor, in Phrygia. It was located on the bank of the Lycus River’s valley, between tributaries and in midst of hills from 2,440 m and 2,750 m in height. It was founded by Antiochus II (261-246 BC), who named it after his sister and wife, Laodice, as a tribute and brought Syrians and Jews from Babylon. It was not significant until it became part of the Roman province of Asia, organized in the 2nd century BC. In New Testament times, it was known for its trade of shining black wool and locally manufactured wool clothing, which were
exported to different countries. People from that city considered themselves so rich that, after an earthquake destroyed everything in the 60s, they rejected the support of Rome and rebuilt it using their own resources. It had many governors during the next centuries and it was destroyed by Turks in the 8th century at the end. There was a Christian church in that city when Paul wrote the Epistle to the Colossians (approx. 62 AD), but he had never visited it before (Col. 2:1).
BEREA THESSALONIKI
CORINTH
MALTA
MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 14 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
LOCATION OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF REVELATION 1
PHILIPPI
MYSIA TROAD
TURKEY
3
4
5
2
KONYA
6
2
SMYRNA
3
PERGANUM
4
THYATIRA
5
SARDIS
6
PHILADELPHIA
7
LAODICEA
LYSTRA
EPHESUS
7
ATHENS
ANTAKYA
EPHESUS
MILETUS
DERBE
1
TARSUS
KNIDOS
ANTIOQUÍA
CRETE
Fair Havens
CYPRUS
LEGEND
PAPHOS
Trip to Rome First trip Second trip Third trip
DAMASCUS
CAESAREA JAFFA LYDIA
GAZA
SAMARIA JERUSALEM
RUINS Currently, in the archaeological remains, the ruins of the stadium, amphitheater, odeon, tank, aqueduct, thermal baths and the nymphaeum can be observed May 2018 / Impacto evangelistic
15
MOST of our habits as adults are developed while we are children, including eating habits. Promoting healthy eating in early childhood is the most effective way to overcome the global epidemic of overweight and obesity.
Walter Menchola Vásquez (*)
To develop good habits, it is important to promote healthy eating. And to promote healthy eating, many strategies have been identified. We will go through some of them. The first strategy is about education. Families and communities have to be trained in their capacities to select, prepare and eat healthy food. To achieve this, they have to take into account the quantity and quality required by their family members, as each one of them has different nutritional needs (calories, proteins, vitamins and minerals) based on their age and physical daily activity. In addition, people need visual elements that will allow them to properly, simply and clearly identify the food that they can eat and the food they need to avoid because of the adverse effects when consumed in excess. This warning-label system includes many methods. One of them is Traffic Light Labelling, which uses colors when a food is low (green), medium (amber) or high (red) in a particular nutrient. The system results in an endless number of possible rating combinations and, according to some studies, may cause confusion among consumers and even MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 16 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
HEALTHY
EATING increase the consumption due to the attractive colors. Another method recommended by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) is to use labels with the text “high in…” on processed food, so that consumers can make informed de-
cisions. Likewise, these international organizations state that it is necessary that these labels be clear and concise and be placed on the front top side of products. The second strategy is about taxes. Some countries have had the idea of imposing or introducing taxes on unhealthy food, which results in increased prices
Well-being
and thus discourages the consumption of such food. At the same time, taxes on healthy food should be cut and farmers should be subsidized to promote the production, transport and sale of such products. Results have been encouraging. For example, many companies have reduced the calorie count in their sodas in such countries where these public policies were applied. In Latin America, Mexico has been one of the first countries to successfully launch this strategy. The third strategy is about urban development. Bus stops should not be too
close one from the other, so that passengers feel obliged to walk a minimum number of blocks a day. In addition, vending machines with junk food must be removed from schools and universities, and junk food restaurants should be established away from crowded places and give way to those that provide better food options. The results are under evaluation. To sum up, the following actions have been identified as key elements of the promotion of eating habits: a) Promote healthy eating habits and educate people. Children learn dietary
behaviors from parents, relatives and friends. Their preferences can change based on the information they receive and absorb, but most tend to persist through adulthood. b) Remove the barriers that prevent people from having access to healthy food; e.g. the prices of healthy food such as vegetables, meats, eggs are sometimes unaffordable, especially for low-income families. c) Make people reconsider their eating decisions in the points of sale; they avoid food choices that are expensive, difficult to access, risky for their health, etc. d) Encourage positive answers from the food industry. For example, the mandatory use of labels on products in countries such as the United States and in the European Union has made the industry diversify their products and even change their formulation and reduce the amount of fat/sugar in their products. Finally, it is critical to evaluate the impact of results on people’s weight. It takes time to reduce overweight and obesity, as they also depend on social, cultural, psychological and genetic factors whose degree of influence is not fully determined. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that we must change our food habits to face this new epidemic. As we can see, one single public health measure is not enough, but a set of correlated measures. A similar situation occurred with smoking. Pressed by scientific medical evidence, governments in the 80s began to set restrictions on smoking in public closed places; nowadays, it is a universal rule. To get sick or to die from eating too much or eating poorly is a real thing. Overweight and obesity are the epidemic of the 21st century. Our problem is not the lack of food, but the excess of it, as well as poor diets with too many calories and other components harmful to our health.
(*) Internist, Master in Management and Public Policies Source: World Health Organization (WHO)
May 2018 / Impacto evangelistic
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THE complex situation in Syria puts the world on the edge of a new world war. The war powers are divided into two blocs, while the civil war is destroying the Arab country and millions of displaced flee to Europe.
It has been seven years ago since violence nested in Syria. Far from finding a solution to the complex situation in the country, everything seems to have worsened. The US, UK and France have launched strikes against three government sites over the chemical weapons attack by the government of Bashar alAssad on civilians in Damascus. This serious situation in Syria dates back to January 2011, when the Arab Spring uprisings in Tunisia inspired similar movements in countries across North Africa and the Middle East. In March 2011, violence reached Daraa, Syria, when a group of kids was arrested for writing on a wall: “Your turn, Doctor”, in reference to Assad. The government’s response to the graffiti and the resulting protests was brutal and killed dozens of people. Protesters called for President Assad to leave office, as Hosni Mubarak had done in Egypt and Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in Tunisia. To quell protests, Assad made some concessions and ended Syria’s state of emergency, which has been in place for 48 years to justify arbitrary arrests and detentions. However, thousands of civilians are said to have been killed by security forces during protests. Ever since then, violence has increased and spread throughout the country; it has turned into an all-out civil war between the regime, the armed resistance and some radical Islamist groups that at the same time have attacked major European cities.
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THE LETHAL CROSSROADS
OF SYRIA
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WHO IS BASHAR AL-ASSAD? Bashar al-Assad is President of Syria since his father, Hafez, passed away in 2000. Hafez had ruled Syria for nearly 30 years and was to be succeeded by his eldest son, Bassel, who died in a car accident in 1994. When Bashar became president at age 34, Western countries expected him to be more moderate than his father, who had been a staunch ally of the Soviets. Bashar was a young man with Western education, who had studied ophthalmology in London. The Al-Assad family is Alawite, a branch of Shia Islam that is a minority in a country where about three-quarters of the population is Sunni. Bashar appointed close relatives to key government positions and many of his supporters are Alawites or belong to other minorities. THE ACTORS
The opposition is strong. It is better organized and better armed than it was at the beginning of the uprising. Many of the combatants are former soldiers who deserted the armed forces, but also civilians who have taken up arms against the regime. The Free Syrian Army emerged in 2011 and claimed an attack on an air force intelligence base. It is the main opposition group, but not the only one; however, there are doubts about the true union of the opposition. In general, rebels have proved that they can effectively attack the regime, but they have not managed to keep the control over big cities for long and often withdraw with the advancement of a better-prepared Syrian army with air force capacity. Radical Islamism is part of the con-
flict through ISIS, which once occupied one-third of the Syrian territory with the aim of establishing a world caliphate. But ISIS is not the only radical group that has taken advantage of the chaos generated by the war. Al Qaeda and Hezbollah have meddled in this conflict with no end in sight. INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE
The US and many of its allies have imposed economic sanctions on Syria, have condemned Assad’s crackdown and have demanded that he leave power. More recently, they have taken a more active part through attacks like the one launched a few weeks ago. For their part, China, Russia and North Korea, Syria’s trade partners, support Bashar al-Assad’s regime as part of their strategy to be part of the geopolitical game.
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JUDAS had great privileges and blessings. He was chosen by the Lord JesusChrist himself to be one of his twelve disciples, which were the people closest to Him and whom He trusted, and so he got to be side by side with the author of eternal life and everlasting salvation. Nevertheless, he lost everything.
Carmen Valencia de Martínez
Judas was a practicing believer who accepted Christ, as did the other eleven Apostles, but he never devoted wholeheartedly to God. Judas served Him with no integrity or complete sincerity in his heart. Judas never gave up his hypocrisy, and this weakness led him to his final death and utter damnation. This teaches us that: • Being near Jesus does not mean that we will be saved or blessed, or that our heart will be pure and free. • Being part of a church does not mean that we are holy or saved. • Coming to the altar does not mean that we are saints or filled with God’s presence. • Holding a Bible in our hands, or having Christian parents, or being born and raised in a Christian home does not mean we will be saved. • Being close to the source of living water does not mean that we will not die of thirst. The tragic example of Judas has left important lessons. If men do not do their bit, privileges, blessings and opportunities are pointless. We can still lose it all. Which privileges did Judas have? • He was chosen by Christ. MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 20 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
JUDAS AND THE LOST OPPORTUNITY
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• He spent three years with Jesus. • He witnessed his miracles. • He was in his closest circle. • Jesus appointed him treasurer among the disciples ( John 12:6 and 13:29). This shows that privileges and positions within God’s Work mean nothing
when those who hold them mistakenly think that they are so important that their sins are overlooked by God. The Lord knows the heart and intention of our souls, and one day He will reveal what really lies within our hearts and we will be punished accordingly.
God tells to the wicked in Psalm 50:16-18, “What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? Seeing thou hatest instruction, and casteth my words behind thee. When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him,
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and hast been partaker with adulterers.” Apostle Paul reveals in his first Epistle to Timothy that the sins of some men are exposed before the judgment, and those of others are open after the judgment, thus asserting that nothing can be hidden from God (1 Timothy 5:24).
The tragic example of Judas has left important lessons. If men do not do their bit, privileges, blessings and opportunities are pointless. We can still lose it all.
MONEY AND CORRUPTION
Greed is a sin that grows as it is fueled. It is like a cancer that eats everything away. Money is not sinful in itself, but love for money is. Money is an inanimate thing, with no feelings, desires or will. Therefore, men, and not money, are to blame for greed. Which mistakes did Judas make? What made him fail the Lord? What led him to corruption? The answer lied in his heart: • Judas lived with Jesus, but had an unrepentant heart. • His mind was busy with worldly things. • He was full of desire for material things. • Judas’ heart was full of greed and love of money instead of love of God and His Word (Matthew 26:15; John 12:6). Love of money is one of the most dangerous sins, and the case of Judas warns us about its terrible effect and scope. • People steal, kill, lie, kidnap and extort for money. • Politicians are corrupted because of money. • Prices are changed and scales are altered for money. • Men and women prostitute themselves for money. While high priests and scribes were looking for a way to kill Jesus, Judas Iscariot introduced himself to them to hand Him over. He offered himself to do what they wanted in exchange for money and they promised him thirty pieces of silver. He failed the Lord because of his greed (Matthew 26:14-16; Mark 14:1011; Luke 22:3-6). The book of Ecclesiastes states that love of money is vanity. It also says that those who love money are never satisfied MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 22 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
with money, and those who love abundance are never satisfied with increase (Ecclesiastes 5:10). 1 Timothy 6:10 states, “… For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” Jesus said once to a crowd, “Take heed,
and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15). David also exhorted in his Psalm to keep wealth out of our hearts: “Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them” (Psalm 62:10). In
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God always warns the sinner before the judgment, and so was the case of Judas. “And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish. The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! Good were it for that man if he had never been born” (Mark 14:20-21). God will never force anyone to leave the path of evil. God showed Judas His love and offered him His merciful hand until the last moment: “And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him” (Matthew 26:50). REPENTANCE
Judas’ case also shows us that incomplete repentance is not enough: “Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, what is that to us? See thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself ” (Matthew 27:3-5). Instead of going to Jesus, he took the wrong path and went to men. Had he reacted like David, he would have been forgiven (Psalm 32:5). Every day, God gives us the same opportunity to repent that He gave to Judas. So is written in His Word: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18). Proverbs, we are warned that wealth will not last forever (Proverbs 27:24). THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPENT
God is constantly giving us the opportunity to repent our sins and take the righteous path, but we usually miss the chance. While there is life, there is hope, but we do not know how much life we
have left, and for that reason, we must use the opportunity given by God to repent before it is too late. Jesus gave Judas many opportunities to repent, but he decided to refuse them. He perfected the art of hypocrisy: “And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me” (Mark 14:18).
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THE song was composed in 1932 by musician Thomas Dorsey after the tragic death of his wife and son. It has been recorded in more than forty languages and has achieved great popularity in the evangelical and secular world.
Written in August 1932 following a family tragedy, “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” is a very popular Christian song from the 20th century. This song by American composer Thomas Andrew Dorsey, the “father of black gospel music,” was composed to seek the Lord’s healing in the midst of tragedy and unhappiness. Born on July 1, 1899, Dorsey revolutionized gospel music by playing it with a touch of jazz and blues. He wrote the hymn after the unexpected death of his wife Nettie and their son in Chicago, while he was in St. Louis on a missionary tour. About the origin of his song, Thomas said, “My wife, Nettie and I were living in a little apartment on Chicago’s Southside. One hot August afternoon I had to go to St. Louis, where I was to be the featured soloist at a large revival meeting. I didn’t want to go. Nettie was in the last month of pregnancy with our first child… A messenger boy ran up with a Western Union telegram…Pasted on the yellow sheet were the words: Your wife just died.” Upon his arrival in Chicago, Dorsey saw his little boy die and buried him with Nettie; eventually, he found a way to face the pain with courage and regain his hope with God’s help. One sunny afternoon, while he was playing the piano, his hands created a melody that would lead him to
PRECIOUS LORD, TAKE
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PRECIOUS LORD, TAKE MY HAND 1 Precious Lord, take my hand, Lead me on, let me stand; I’m tired, I’m weak, I’m alone. Through the storm, through the night, Lead me on to the light. Take my hand, precious Lord, guide me home. 2 When my way grows drear, Precious Lord, linger near. When my light is almost out, Hear my cry, hear my call, Hold my hand lest I fall. Take my hand, precious Lord, guide me home. 3 When darkness appears, And the night draws near, And the day is past and gone, At the river I stand. Guide my feet, hold my hand, Take my hand, precious Lord, guide me home.
find the healing power of the Almighty. The song was then written in a poem with three stanzas. “Precious Lord, Take My Hand,” which is based on the Holy Scriptures, has been recorded by many world-class evangelical and secular artists and it has been
recorded in more than forty languages. It was Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.’s favorite song. INFLUENTIAL COMPOSER
Dorsey, a talented soloist, would explicitly talk about the relationship of believers with
the Creator and the Christian faith in his compositions. He was the son of a Baptist preacher and devoted himself to the things of God in his mid-twenties. In addition, he was the first African American to be included into Gospel Music Hall of Fame. The influence of his work for the spreading of the Word of God went beyond the evangelical world and reached the secular world as well. It even had an impact on the political environment thanks to President Lyndon B. Johnson, who was a self-confessed admirer of his music. He was also a great inspiration for many artists. Recorded for the first time in 1937, “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” was Thomas Dorsey’s greatest creation. His power reached the seventh art in 2014 when it became part of Selma’s soundtrack. The song was heard by more than 25 million viewers at the 2015 edition of the Grammy Awards.
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ALL the Women of the Bible This book, written by Herbert Lockyer in 1967, reveals the importance of the role of women in the history of Christianity by telling the story of both known and unknown women from the Ancient and New Testaments.
Although Bible women for the most part are shadowy, subordinate figures, particularly in the Old Testament, there were those like Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Miriam, Deborah, Ruth and Esther who were outstanding, each having distinction of her own, as our next chapter shows. What is striking is the fact that whether the women were queens or commoners, chaste or bad, their lives are frankly portrayed, proving the Bible to be faithful biography of humanity. The sacred record of woman’s special creation declares not only her full humanity but also her superiority to the lower animal world which God also brought into being. With more than 400 short outlines containing facts and events based on the Scriptures, “All the Women of the Bible” has become an essential tool to understand God’s Word. This book, written by Herbert Lockyer in 1967, provides a review on biblical women, from Abi to Zilpah, as well as an insight into their relationship with the Almighty and His purposes. As human nature has not changed much through past millenniums, the whole of womanhood, which is presented to us as the women of the Bible, unchanging, unvarying from age to age, is a feminine portrait gallery drawn with a marvelous stark economy and unsurpassed in its variety in the whole of literature. Eve is the mother of all those mothers who have seen their favorite first-born branded with shame. Among our friends can be found an acquaintance devoted MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 26 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
and firm-minded like Sarah; a monument of fierce and doting motherhood such as Rebekah was; a well-favored Rachel. WOMEN’S INFLUENCE
Minister Lockyer, author of more than 50 international best-sellers, wrote “All the Women of the Bible” to reveal the influence of women in the history of mankind. In the introduction to the book, he states that the impact of women on both men and nations is undeniable. But many of the happy – and unhappy – unknown Bible women left their impact upon history. They played their part in important events, but their signatures are not attached to their service. Surely, it was not the oversight of Bible writers to omit the names of those in female biography whose deeds are published. What many of them did is history, but history without a title page. Could it be that they willed the reticence as to who they were? Certainly, many of these unnamed female characters were far from being righteous, such as the sensual, faithless wife of Potiphar, and of the woman of
ALL THE WOMEN OF THE
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Samaria. The book by pastor Lockyer , born in 1886 in London, is divided into eight chapters. In the first part, he addresses the life and fate of women from the Bible. The, he lists both the known and unknown biblical female characters. Finally, he provides a detailed record of symbolic and representative women in the Ancient and New Testaments, as well as many related observations. PRICELESS STORIES
In the Bible, humanity’s intensely biographical volume, we have vivid sketches of a goodly company of saintly women who are “only remembered by what they have done.” Their deeds are undying, and their characters glow in the sacred page,
Biographical study convinces one that Scripture was not given merely to satisfy the intellect, but to enrich one’s own life, to quicken the conscience, correct judgment, reinforce the will and direct the feet. Women on this side of the cross and Pentecost need not know shame and defeat in life. Christianity has supplied women with a full emancipation.
but the recording angel above alone knows who they were. There are many “gentle lights without a name” in the Bible, as, of course, there are in world history. The Scripture gallery of unlabelled portraits well repays repeated visits, for these unknown ones have, like beauty, their own excuse for being. Although for some inscrutable reason, the names of so many noble women have been withheld from us. Pastor Lockyer was acknowledged by preacher Billy Graham as one of the spiritual giants of the 20th century. The author carried out a prolific ministerial work, be-
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literature
There are many “gentle lights without a name” in the Bible, as, of course, there are in world history. The Scripture gallery of unlabelled portraits well repays repeated visits, for these unknown ones have, like beauty, their own excuse for being. Although for some inscrutable reason, the names of so many noble women have been withheld from us.
coming one of the most prestigious and respected evangelists worldwide. He was educated at Glasgow Bible Institute and touched the hearts and lives of millions of people from the five continents with his preachings and books. Both animate and inanimate objects are used in the Bible to illustrate and enforce various aspects of truth, and women from a large part of animate beings employed to typify different vocations, vices and virtues. Even in our time, female names are attached to certain phenomena, such as wind storms in America. Capable of angel heights, or devil depths, the female sex has ever been employed to symbolize the vices or virtues of the human race. The ancient nation of Israel was pictured as God’s adulterous wife.
They are examples of womanhood at its best, and as nothing is said of any failure they might have had, it would seem as if theirs was “the white flower of blameless life.” In fact, by way of comparison, the women of the Bible come out better than its men. It is satisfying to find very few despicable female characters portrayed in the pages of Holy Writ. In the last days and death of the Saviour, not one woman among those mentioned, acted in any harsh way, hurtful to Him who was born of a woman. According to reverend Herbert Lockyer, “All the Women of the Bible” shows an enriching perspective of Christianity and it is a feminine portrait gallery reflecting the promises of the Savior. The book shows that today’s women can see and find themselves in the life of known and unknown women in the Holy Scriptures. Biographical study convinces one that Scripture was not given merely to satisfy the intellect, but to enrich one’s own life, to quicken the conscience, correct judgment, reinforce the will and direct the feet. Allowing for differences of time and place, the temptations and possibilities coming to Bible women meet the daughters of Eve today. Their God is the God of modern women, who have a spiritual harmony Bible saints did not possess. Women on this side of the cross and Pentecost need not know shame and defeat in life. Christianity has supplied women with a full emancipation.
GREAT EXAMPLES
Herbert Lockyer preached the Word in Scotland, England and the United States. While doing his research on women in the Bible, he discovered that some of their features echo those of their modern counterparts. He states that human nature remains the same regardless of time. Among the many women imperishable records the Bible possesses, there are a few who are conspicuous for their chaste and commendable characters.
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IT has been fifty years since the murder of Martin Luther King Jr. He was a Baptist minister that led the U.S. Civil Rights Movement with nonviolence and achieved social transformation based on his religious background.
Martin Luther King Jr. was shot dead on April 4, 1968. The Baptist minister had been the leader of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement for almost 15 years, convinced that it was not only a political and social struggle, but a spiritual one as well. His name became well known when he and other leaders and ministers took part in the boycott following Rosa Parks’ arrest for opposing the segregationist laws in Montgomery. King was also arrested, but the movement obtained its first political victory: a little more than a year later, the Supreme Court declared that segregation on buses was unconstitutional. “The new freedoms were encouraged by civil society and individuals,” says political scientist and physician Xesús Manuel Suárez, from the Spanish Evangelical Alliance. “And they were based on the dignity of the person, on truly Christian concepts, such as the fact that we are all equal before God’s eyes.” SOCIAL ACTIVISM
Theologian and journalist José Segovia explains that MLK was educated in the context of “white liberal theology,” with a special focus on social activism, which is beyond orthodox Christianity. “But he always turned to the orthodox evangelical faith in his moments of crisis during his social struggle,” and he was always in search of the faith he knew since he was a child. Both his experiences “lived together: the intellectual one, which doubts, and the existential MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 30 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
MLK A MAN OF FAITH
one, which is founded on our Christian faith in Jesus.” Bible inspiration remained with Martin Luther King Jr. in his struggle for civil rights through nonviolence and civil disobedience. These strategies cost him much, as he faced opposition even by those who were fighting for the same rights but thought peaceful resistance to be a demonstration of weakness and longed for direct confrontation. Nevertheless, the protests led by King in the U.S. gathered more and more people, institutions and other sympathies, until the historical march on Washington and his “I Have a Dream” speech, which ends with references to the book of Isaiah. PROPHETIC LAST SERMON
In the following years, tension and exhaustion took over King’s life. He knew that the FBI was monitoring him and
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was under constant threats of harassment and death that also affected his family. “He was increasingly aware that “the Movement” would cost him his life,” states Baptist minister John Piper in an article on Desiring God. Such was his awareness that in a preaching in a church of Memphis in 1968, the night befire his assassination, Martin Luther said, “And I see God working in this period of the 20th century in a way that men, in some strange way, are responding. Something is happening in our world.” King ended his sermon with these words: “And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But… I’m
“And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you (… but) I’m happy, tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man! Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!” (Martin Luther King Jr.)
happy, tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man! Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!” José Segovia says that his speech shows that “MLK was no longer that young man who had doubts of faith in the beginning of his public life due to his liberal theological education. Crisis and frailty had made him hold on tightly to God’s hope and the mission, with his flaws and contradictions, struggling against the sin of racism. It is clear that he was used by the Providence to turn around the unfair situation of the African American people in the United States.”
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“Leave aside his theology and moral flaws. He was used in the mighty hand of Providence to change the world,” says Pastor John Piper. He acknowledges that racism remains, but that the racial world he “grew up in and the one we live in today are amazingly different” thanks to people such as Martin Luther King Jr. EVERLASTING LEGACY
Martin Luther’s life has been an inspiration and example in the struggle for civil rights with nonviolent resistance. Xesús Manuel Suárez considers that we can learn from King’s example to “submit” our mind to the Bible. “We cannot have one way of thinking in the church and a different one in politics. Our political thinking must be submitted to the Word, because the Word provides us with answers to political questions.” We Evangelical Christians “tend to first determine our political trend and then we adjust our biblical perspective to it. That is backwards: first, we have to understand the biblical vision, and then we can develop our political thinking.” Suárez states that, based on the Bible, “we can build democracy, civil rights and freedoms and transfer them into society and politics.” King graduated from Morehouse College in 1948 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology, and from Crozer Theological Seminary in 1951 with a Bachelor of Divinity degree. That same year, he began doctoral studies in systematic theology at Boston University and the Ph.D. degree was awarded in 1955. In 1954, King became pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. It was the following year that he led the Montgomery Bus Boycott to protest against the arrest of Rosa Parks, a black woman who had refused to give up her seat to a white man, thus defying the segregation laws. King was arrested and his house was attacked, the U.S. Supreme Court ended up declaring that segregation on buses was unconstitutional. MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 32 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
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In 1957, King cofounded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), whose main aim was to advance the cause of civil rights in a nonviolent manner. He led the organization until his death, but its principles were criticized by some people and later challenged by the more radical Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). The SCLC derived its membership mainly from black communities associated with Baptist churches. NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
King was an advocate of the philosophies of non-violent civil disobedience used by Mahatma Gandhi in India. He applied the Gandhian philosophy to the protests organized by the SCLC. The racist response to the nonviolent protests came from different parts and triggered a wave in favor of civil rights among public opinion, which was key to the approval of the Civil Rights Act in the 60’s. King became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize winner on October 14, 1964, which was awarded to him for leading nonviolent resistance to racial prejudice in the United States. He also started to show his opposition to the American role in the Vietnam War in 1965. In February 1967 and again in April, Martin Luther King gave a speech in which he denounced the U.S. involvement in the war. King and the SCLC organized the Poor People’s Campaign in 1968 to gain economic justice for poor people in the United States. The protest ended with a march on Washington, during which financial aid was demanded to help the most disadvantaged communities.
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HE spent his adolescence and youth in promiscuity and homosexuality, until one day he heard a voice that changed his life. Gone are the days of sin for this young Colombian who has listened to the Word.
Elkin Foronda García Photos: WMM Colombia and Family Archive
Fabio Adrián Acevedo escaped death twice. The first time, a thief stabbed him three times when he resisted the robbery. The doctors told him that it was a miracle that he was alive. The second time occurred at a nightclub. Two men gave him a strong sleeping drug in a drink, took him in a taxi, and gave him a beating, but he managed to escape half-naked. Such was the life of Fabio, a homosexual young man that spent most of his adolescence and youth in promiscuity, until they day he mended his way. He lives with his family of four members: his mother and two older siblings, a brother and a sister. He never met his father, but as he was the youngest, he was very much loved. Pastora Acevedo, his mother, never heard any complaint about his son; he was a model child. He used to attend an evangelical church in his neighborhood in Medellin, but then his family, that did not fear God, started to have some reservations about him becoming an Evangelical Christian. The child was then overwhelmed by doubts. As a teenager, Fabio started to feel attracted to men, and at school things got worse. He got away from God and stopped attending the evangelical church to hang out with some friends his age that were also homosexual. That is how he got more and more involved in the gay world. MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 34 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
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Soon after, he had sex with a man for the first time, and from that moment on, he got more open about his homosexuality to his family and neighbors. His family respected his decision. His mother told him that she would not mess with his life decisions, but under one condition: “Don’t you dare come to this house dressed as a woman,” she said. Rumors started to spread in his neighborhood about the parties he attended and the affairs he had with men. As the young man got more and more involved in this dark world, sin made him feel that everything was right. He would give excuses about his behavior and ignore the gossip. COMING OUT OF THE CLOSET
A much older man introduced him into the LGTBI community. A new phase in MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 36 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
his life was starting and he came out of the closet with no reservations. He got a job as a hairdresser assistant and earned some money, but wanted more. He and his gay friends would always end up partying all night long near the highway leading to the city of Bogotá, across the neighborhood of Zamora. His friends started to give him pieces of bad advice to obtain money with prostitution. He refused at first, but in the end sin was stronger than him. He gradually left his men clothes for tight women garments. He was also recommended to get silicone injections for his hips. The idea of looking more like a woman seduced him. His friends changed his name and called him “Adriana.” As days went by, his sex life became more and more promiscuous and his
life stories
earnings from prostitution increased. Now he had enough money to get hormone injections and to shape his fake body into that of his fantasies. The ecstasy of the momentary pleasures given by the easy money, the drugs, and the men he slept with was always gone in the morning. After removing his makeup and changing, he would look himself in the mirror and face the reality that he was still a man, no matter how much he tried to hide it. Then he would feel like falling into the deep abyss of depression. His friends and he gave many excuses for their sins: “We were born this way, it’s not our fault to be transvestites.” But homosexuality was not the only thing he had to deal with. He smoked marijuana and sniffed cocaine at parties. He was even offered crack, which is very addictive and dangerous, but he refused thanks to the advice of a gay friend. ESCAPING DEATH
It was in this part of his life that he escaped death twice. The first time, a client stabbed him when he resisted the first’s attempt to steal the money he had previously paid him for his sexual services. Doctors told him that it was a miracle that he was alive. For their part, his friends told him that those attacks were common in the world of prostitution. The second time happened when he was at a nightclub. Two men approached him out of the blue and gave him a drink mixed with some sleeping drug that made him passed away. They were illintended policemen. They took him into a taxi and, when they were about to get out, one of the attackers said that he had lost his cellphone. Meanwhile, men started to show up, some with guns, and others with sticks to hit the young man. One of them told him to give the cellphone back or else they would kill him. They took him to the bank of a creek that discharges into the Medellin River to murder him. After making him get undressed, they confirmed that he did not have the cellphone. One of the thugs told him that he would help him by pretending to hit him
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so that the young man could run away. “I ran about 15 blocks to save my life,” he recalls now. LOOKING FOR FORTUNE
Days passed by uneventfully, until one day he decided to go to Bogotá to earn more money through prostitution. Once MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 38 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
in the Colombian capital, he had to deal with hundreds of gay and female prostitutes to earn some money for the silicone injections for his hips. After spending some time there, he went back to his neighborhood, in the commune of Santa Cruz in Medellin. As he had some savings, his friends from the
salon where he used to work told him that it was time to get breast implants, but he did not do it. Time kept passing by for him among more men, parties, drugs, whims, and sin, but one event forced him to flee his neighborhood: he had a pending debt to that prevented him of fulfilling his eccen-
life stories
tricities of fictitious woman. He traveled to the municipality of Amalfi, located in the department of Antioquia, which main business was centered on gold. He got popular among local miners. Though he had no economic problems, he experienced and unrequited love on the sentimental field which
made him drink a lot. He came back to Medellin shortly after, paid his debt, and opened a hairdressing salon. As new clients arrived, the place became again a den of iniquity. CONVERSION AND REFORMATION
One day, Fabio Adrián Acevedo learned
that one of his aunts had converted to Christianity. She also helped his mother Pastora and his sister Patricia to embrace the Gospel and welcome the Lord in their hearts. That is how the poor mother finally understood what was happening to her son and that only the Lord could set him free from the devil’s clutches. For 40 days, she fasted and faithfully prayed for his freedom. Another lady from the church also joined her prayers for the soul of the young man. Fabio spent the last days of his crazy life in a place he rented to open a hair salon, which happened to be next to an evangelical church at El Playón. Thanks to this coincidence, God dealt with His stray sheep. Whether he liked it or not, Fabio could not help but to listen to the preaching while in his business. In addition, Christian members would visit the salon with messages about God. Half his gay friends stopped going because the Christian Church made them uncomfortable. God managed to take him out of that condition in 2017. He decided to return to his mother’s home after many years gone. His whole family warmly welcomed him. One Wednesday, the garbage truck took all his woman clothes. He had listened to God’s Word. “Adrián, old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new,” had said the voice. As his mother threw his old clothes away, he started to feel as if he was liberated. But to end the nightmare and be totally free from sin, there was one last battle yet to win: to cut off the long hair that reached his waist. It took him some days to come to it, but he finally decided to go to a hairdresser. As his hair fell to the floor, he felt relieved. When he looked up and saw himself in the mirror, , he remembers that he claimed with joy: “Glory to God!” Fabio Adrián Acevedo was reborn after a long time in sin. The hard work of evangelization of men and women had born its fruit.
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“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:28.
Rev. Luis M. Ortiz
Israel is God’s prophetical clock. Any event that concerns or happens in Israel has a deep, critical meaning for the world. • Geographically, Israel is in the middle of the world and it is referred to as the “navel of the earth.” • Scientifically, in Israel, some of the most prominent scholars of the world have been born: in ancient times, Solomon; and more recently, Albert Einstein. • Technologically, Israel has achieved great things in agriculture, industry and irrigation. • Politically, global powers have always been attracted to Israel. • Militarily, Israel has amazed the world by winning a war in six days against a superior enemy. • Spiritually, Israel is the religious and spiritual center of the world. • Prophetically, Israel is the center of the holy prophecy for the world, which is the main subject of this text. Important biblical prophecies concern this people and the region will be the scenario of the last war. Several critical signs concerning Israel show that our Lord Jesus-Christ will come soon: 1° THE RETURN OF ISRAEL TO THE PROMISED LAND God had repeatedly said to Israel that they would be exiled from their land if they neglected His orders: “And the Lord shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other…” (Deuteronomy 28:64-68); and so it happened. Throughout their history, Jews have experienced ineffable persecution (Semitism), massacre (Holocaust) and dispersion (Diaspora). MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 40 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
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OUTSTANDING SIGNS CONCERNING
ISRAEL
But the Lord also promised them that they would return to their land near the end of times. “But, The Lord liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land” ( Jeremiah 23:8). “I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 43:5-6) Israel had a population of 700,000 people back in 1948; they currently have 8’600,000 inhabitants. Such an outstanding sign that Christ is coming soon! 2° THE RESURGENCE OF ISRAEL AS A NATION Our Lord Jesus-Christ said about the resurgence of Israel as a nation: “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; when his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors…” (Matthew 24:32-35). The establishment of the State of Israel was proclaimed on May 14, 1948. Despite their condition as a new country and ongoing opposition, it is one of the wealthiest nations worldwide. Jesus mentioned that when we see the fig tree thriving with new leaves, we would know that his Second Coming is near. Such an outstanding sign that Christ is coming soon! 3° THE REVIVAL OF THE HEWBREW LANGUAGE
Jeremiah 31:23 says, “Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; As yet they shall use this speech in the land of Judah and in the cities thereof…” There was a big confusion when the Jews began to settle in Israel in 1948, as they all spoke the language of their homeland. Hebrew was hardly spoken and little was known about it. However, lexicographer and newspaper editor Eliezer Ben Yehuda devoted his time and life to revive the Hebrew language, and it became Israel’s official language, known and used by everybody. Such an outstanding sign that Christ is coming soon! 4° THE RESTORATION TO THE PROMISED LAND FOR ISRAEL The Promised Land was “a land flowing with milk and honey.” It was a very fruitful territory, but invasions, wars and negligence of gentile powers turned it into an arid, desolate place. About the end of times, God promised, “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly…” (Isaiah 35:1-2). The land is fertile again. The Negev Desert is flourishing; among others, Israel produces the most beautiful flowers, which are sold in big markets of London, Paris and New York; Israel exports agricultural products worth millions of dollars every year. God also stated, “And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field” (Ezekiel 36:30). Israel has planted more than 230 million trees! Such an outstanding sign that Christ is coming soon! 5° THE RESTORATION OF ANCIENT CITIES AND THE RESURGENCE OF NEW VILLAGES AND CITIES
About the end of times, the Lord said, “Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited” (Isaiah 54:2-3). God also stated, “I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded” (Ezekiel 36:33). This is exactly what happens day after day in Israel: ruined cities are rebuilt and new villages, towns and cities are built. Such an outstanding sign that Christ is coming soon! 6° THE RECONQUEST OF JERUSALEM About Jerusalem and the end of times, our Lord Jesus-Christ stated, “And Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled” (Luke 21:24). Jerusalem has been humiliated and governed by the Gentiles ever since Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, invaded the land 2700 years ago. After millennia of gentile dominion over Jerusalem, and after a brief war in 1967, the city is currently ruled by the Jews. Jerusalem has to be in possession of the Jews for the Second Coming of Christ. Such an outstanding sign that Christ is coming soon! 7° THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE OF JERUSALEM The First Temple was built by Solomon. The Second Temple was rebuilt by Zerubbabel in times of the Medo-Persian Empire and later renovated by King Herod, and such was the temple existing in times of Christ. In the year 70 AC, the temple was destroyed by General Titus from the Roman Empire, and only a wall remained: the Wailing Wall. The Bible states that the antichrist will enter the Temple of Jerusalem. Currently, the Dome of the Rock stands on the site of the temple, but the Third Temple will rise in that same place. Beloved readers, the stage is ready. Christ is coming soon. We must be ready and wait for the Lord!
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“And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. And the multitude rebuked them… And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.” Matthew 20:30-34.
DO YOU WANT GOD’S
BLESSING?
Rev. Gustavo Martínez Garavito
The Lord was looking for those empty of Him to fill them with His virtue, but little could be done. In Nazareth, he did nothing either because they did not believe; in Gadara, he healed two demoniacs and that was enough to be asked to go away from the region. However, in Samaria, they asked him to stay, and he stayed there for a few days, healing the sick and doing wonders. Some people are full of theological concepts and misconceptions that come from spiritually dead people; and those who receive that which comes from death are dead. “The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12). But those who shut his heart will not receive the blessing, while those thirsty of God and longing for something great to happen will find it in God. He changes us and makes us holy, and we are never the same again. Moses wanted more from God: “And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence…And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee…Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live… I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by; And I will take away my hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen” (Exodus 33:15-23). The psalmist said, “They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion apMISSIONARY MOVEMENT 42 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
peareth before God” (Psalm 84:7). It says ‘from strength to strength.’ As the years go by, some preachers end up with no message, dry, as if they had not been anointed with oil. Why? Because there came a time when they believed that they had everything, that they did not have to seek God. Achsah, daughter of Caleb, came to his husband Othniel and “moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wouldst thou? Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs” (Joshua 15:18-19). She asked for a land, but also for springs of water, because what good is the land if there is no springs of water? And I say, what good is a ministry or position if it is dead, if there are is no water? We have to ask the Lord to provide our barren, empty ministry with springs of water. How able are you to receive and hold? There are those who have the capacity to receive, but no capacity to hold. Paul says, “Stand fast and hold the traditions” (2 Thessalonians 2:15). The Spirit says, “Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” (Revelation 3:11). The Bible tells us about two blind men: “Two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. And the multitude rebuked them because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I
shall do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and
devotional
they followed him.� (Matthew 20:30-34). The blind men wanted the blessing, they wanted a touch from God, they wanted to see, and they were sure that something was going to happen,.
Dear reader, God wants to broaden your vision and make it grow. How much do you want to grow? How far do you want to go? How high do you want to climb? Some want the blessing
but have no room because they have in their hearts things that do not have to be there. They must be taken out if we want God’s blessing. Beloved, fill yourself with God!
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“And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” Revelation 2: 8-11
Rev. Rodolfo González Cruz
Smyrna, considered the most beautiful city in the Roman province of Asia, was so large that it might have had about 200 000 people. It was founded by the Greeks 3000 years B.C., destroyed 600 years B.C. and rebuilt by Alexander the Great 300 years later. Smyrna comes from the ancient Greek word for ‘myrrh,’ which means bitter. Its name may be due to the presence of myrrh, a resin extracted from the bark of a tree and used for perfumes and medicines; it has a bitter taste but releases a pleasant smell when burnt. For the people of Israel, myrrh was part their worship to God as it was one of the ingredients of the holy oil (Exodus 30:23-25). Myrrh was one of the Eastern Magi’s gifts offered to the child Jesus (Matthew 2:11), possibly anticipating that He would go through bitter experiences. Soldiers gave Jesus to drink wine mixed with myrrh, but He did not receive it (Mark 15:23). Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes to Jesus’ grave ( John 19:39). Smyrna was an extremely dangerous city to live in if you were a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ due to the hostility by the Jews and Gentiles, as well as by the authorities of the Roman Empire. A very well-known case was that of PolyMISSIONARY MOVEMENT 44 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
REMAIN
FAITHFUL IN HARDSHIP
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carp, the 86-year-old disciple of John the Apostle and bishop of Smyrna who was tied to a post to be burned alive. He was offered to renounce his Christian faith and spare his life, but he refused and died a martyr (155 A.D.). Verses 8-9: “And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I
know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.” Smyrna is one of the two churches that the Lord does not rebuke, because its faithful pastor kept and taught the sound doctrine. The brethren from this church were financially poor, as many of them had been likely deprived of their property and jobs because of the oppression they suffered. This congregation was going through tribulation, distress and persecution, but the Lord encouraged them by saying that they were not poor, but rich in Him. Many Jews lived in Smyrna and others would go to the city for trade. They were hostile towards Christ and opposed Him and his Church; they became blasphemers for rejecting Him; and they turned synagogues into places governed by the devil. Verse 10: “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” The church of Smyrna would enter a new phase of hardship and suffering, as described by our Lord Jesus Christ
( John 16:33). But the Lord encouraged them to trust Him, not to be discouraged by anything, not even threats of death (Philippians 1:21). Like gold is tried with fire (1 Peter 1:7), so it is necessary for us to be tried with distress and tribulation (Romans 8:35-36) to build our faith and be prepared to enter the kingdom of heaven (Acts 14:22). The expression “ten days” is symbolic and possibly implies the whole period of suffering, which is neither short nor long, but complete, as all kind of pain has an end. Finally, He urged them to remain faithful until death to obtain their victory. The crown is a symbol of royalty, but also of reward, as it used to be worn by kings, conquerors and athletes. Verse 11: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” “What the Spirit said to the churches” means that the Spirit did not speak only to Smyrna, but also to all the churches. Dear reader, if we listen to the words of our Lord and if we are faithful to Him in hardship, we will conquer and will not be “hurt at all by the second death”, which will occur when sinners are thrown into the lake of fire after standing before God on the Judgment of the great white throne (Revelation 20:1114). They are those whose names are not written in the book of life because they died without confessing their faith in Christ or, having done so, were not faithful to God. Therefore, the second death has authority over them, but true, faithful Christians will not be subject to the second death, which is the eternal damnation.
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IN April this year, Impacto Evangelístico launched a new special issue for Europe and Africa. This means a great step in its goal of spreading the message of God all over the world.
In early April, pastors and brethren from the Worldwide Missionary Movement were looking forward to an important event taking place in Subotica, Serbia. The first regional issue of Impacto Evangelístico for Europe and Africa came off the press in this beautiful city in Eastern Europe in the evening of April 4. A team of professionals from the magazine was sent to the place to monitor the printing quality. The decision of the International Board of Officers of the Worldwide Missionary Movement (WMM) to decentralize the publishing of the magazine was thus fulfilled. This is certainly a milestone. This is an important step in the ultimate goal of spreading the Word in the
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THE NEW IMPACT OF
current news
world through Impacto Evangelístico – the magazine founded by Rev. Luis M. Ortiz in January 1961 and one of the WMM’s cornerstones. The copies printed by the Rotográfica Company were immediately distributed in Spain, France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Romania, Germany, the Netherlands and England, as well as in African countries where there are WMM churches, such as Equatorial Guinea. The new issue is different from previous ones in terms of content regarding the events held by the WMM through the churches in Europe and Africa. Articles and photographs give now more coverage and detailed attention to conventions, fellowships, campaigns and other events that take place in European and African countries. This is the first step towards the decentralization of the magazine’s content. Issues for North and South America are planned to be released in the coming months. Quite a challenge to continue to bring God’s message to as many countries as possible. The project will include new sections, such as those addressed especially to young people and women. In addition, new topics will be discussed in a modern graphic presentation that will make the read more attractive. The new issue has been enthusiastically received in European countries; in Italy, for example, Pastor David Echalar, Supervisor of Block B of Europe, will have a special place to promote the magazine in Genoa. It is an office located at Via Giacomo Buranello, very close to the downtown. Impacto Evangélico is published in six languages. Paper issues are distributed in Spanish in more than 50 countries and digital issues in Italian, French, German, Portuguese and English are available on the website www.impactoevangelistico.net.
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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).
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EVENT: NATIONAL CONVENTION DATE: MARCH 28-APRIL 1 LOCATION: ZONE 25 OF GUATEMALA CITY, GUATEMALA
THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST With the presence of delegations of faithful from Central and South America, the WMM in Guatemala held its 33rd National Convention. The Worldwide Missionary Movement in Guatemala held its 33rd National Convention at the La Certeza Convention Center, located in the northern part of Guatemala City. It was attended by believers from Honduras, Nicaragua, Belize, Mexico, El Salvador, Bolivia, Chile and Colombia. The event revealed the growth of Christianity in Central America. It was broadcast in the world by website Remanente Escogido, Bethel Television and other WMM media. Rev. Rubén Concepción, International Secretary of the Work, shared the message “The Resurrection of Christ” at the opening of the event. Based on 1 Corinthians 15:12-23, the servant said that, “everything is visible to God. If God has the power to raise men from the dead, He also has the power to restore all things.” The next day, at the beginning of the morning service, Sister Andrea Martínez gave a speech aimed at the young Christians who attended the 33rd National Convention. In her message, entitled “Determined to Serve God without Looking Back,” she urged them to obey the purposes of the Highest. Then, Pastor Mario Lima, National Supervisor of the WMM in Bolivia, shared the message of Christ. Based on 1 Samuel 8:1-3, the servant developed the topic “Let Us Teach Our Children the Lord’s Ways” and said that, “we should continue to win souls for Christ and it all begins within the family.” During the evening service, Rev. Luis Meza Bocanegra, International Officer of the WMM, preached to the attendees through his preaching entitled “The Day of God.” In his sermon, based on Revelation 5:1 and 11, he stated that, “the evangelical, the believer in the Bible, knows what is to come.” POWERFUL GOSPEL
On the second day, Sister Martínez resumed her speech “Determined to Serve God without Looking Back.” She clarified that the followers of the Almighty are part of the
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Creator’s plan and must not oppose divine commands. Later, Rev. Gerardo Martínez, National Supervisor of the WMM in Chile, preached Gospel through the message “The Danger of Discouragement.” Based on 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20, the minister of Jesus Christ pointed out that, “Satan may hinder, but he cannot prevent the final triumph.” In the evening, Rev. Álvaro Garavito, International Director of the Work and Missionary Supervisor in Central America, announced the good news of God with the message “The Credible Church Through Which the Lord Will
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Come.” Based on Ephesians 5:27, Pastor Garavito stated that, “as new creatures, we are different from every other human being on earth. At the beginning of the third day, Rev. Marcelo Valenzuela, member of the WMM in Bolivia, preached the Gospel with the message “Children of the Past, Parents of the Future.” Based on Malachi 4:5-6 and 2 Kings 22:1-2, the Lord’s minister said that, “there is a father in heaven who wants to adopt you.” In the evening service, the promotion of workers took
place, and Rev. Meza Bocanegra shared the Word again with the message “If We Look For Incense, Fire and Oil, We Will Have Credibility.” Based on Leviticus 10:1-3, the servant stated that, “holy fire sanctifies.” At the closing of the 33rd National Convention of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Guatemala, Pastor Rubén Concepción was the instrument chosen to preach the Gospel of God. Based on John 4:23-26, the minister explained the topic “God’s Eternal Purpose for Praise” and stressed that, “God has everything planned.”
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EVENT: NATIONAL CONVENTION DATE: MARCH 29-APRIL 1 PLACE: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
GOD IS OPENING DOORS The WMM in Australia celebrated its 23rd National Convention with Rev. Carlos Guerra as main preacher. The growing Worldwide Missionary Movement in Australia held its 23rd National Convention at Blouza Hall, in western Sydney. The main preacher of the meeting of faith was Rev. Carlos Guerra, International Officer of the Work of God. The activity had as motto “Credibility” and gathered faithful from Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra, Perth, Adelaide and Townsville. The four-day Christian event was broadcast in the world by Bethel Television, the “channel for the happiness of the family,” and by other media of the Worldwide Missionary Movement. In the opening service, Pastor Guerra shared the good news of the Almighty through the message “God’s Army of Foolish, Weak and Despised,” based on 1 Corinthians 1:27. In his speech, the minister of the Creator stressed that, “the presence of God makes the difference.” At the beginning of the second day, Pastor Fredy Sánchez, member of the Temple of Canberra, shared the Word with the topic “I Want a Touch,” based on Matthew 17:7. The Colombian servant said, “The Lord is willing to bless His people. The Lord wants to give it new experiences.”
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POWERFUL WORD
Then, in the evening, Rev. Guerra preached once again to the followers of Jesus Christ in Australia. Based on the book of Habakkuk, the Costa Rican preacher shared a sermon that focused on the injustice of life today. Excited and firm, the missionary declared, “The devil cannot stop God’s blessings. The Bible says so: The Lord has purposed, who shall disannul it?” The next day, during the fourth service, the promotion of worker Daniel Cuellas took place; he was recognized as ordained minister. Pastor Ramos preached to the attendees through the message “God Is Opening Doors,” based on Hebrews 11:32-40. He said, “The Australian authorities are not helping us to preach the Word of God.” At the second service of the third day, Rev. Guerra resumed the message of the previous day to elaborate on the lack of justice in the world. Based again on the book of Habakkuk, the evangelist touched the hearts of believers. Guided by the Holy Spirit, the servant stressed that, “the Bible says that many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord will deliver him out of them all.” The 23rd National Convention of the Worldwide Missionary Movement of Australia ended with another preaching by by Pastor Guerra. The minister shared the message “The Power of God’s Presence”, based on Exodus 33:14-15. In his speech, the missionary said that, “it is important that the believer be aware of the power of the Almighty.”
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EVENT: BIBLE SCHOOL DATE: MARCH 12-MARCH 16 PLACE: PASCUALES, ECUADOR
IN SEARCH OF BRAVE MEN The WMM in Ecuador preached the Word to children from the town of Pascuales through its Summer Bible School. Faithful to the mission of evangelizing the little ones on their earthly journey, the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Ecuador, through its Summer Bible School, preached to children from the town of Pascuales, located on the outskirts of Guayaquil. The four-day event’s aim was to share the Scriptures and sound doctrine in Pascuales, where there is a temple of the Work of the Lord. Under the motto “In Search of Brave Men,” lessons were taught by a group of young believers from the WMM in Ecuador. Guided by Lord, the Summer Bible School’s teachers went down the streets of Pascuales in search of children interested in knowing Jesus Christ and receiving the good news. As a result, a large number of children listened to the Word. The children in Pascuales not only learned from stories found in the Old and New Testaments, but they also discovered that the love of the Almighty is offered to those who decide to accept Him as their redeemer. The closing of these sessions aimed at the little members of the Creator’s flock took place in a park in Pascuales. Many children arrived to the place, accompanied by their parents, and they all enjoyed the music, the games and the Christian messages.
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EVENT: EVANGELISTIC CAMPAIGN / DATE: FEBRUARY 12-APRIL 14 / PLACE: PARQUE LEFEVRE, PANAMA
On the 39th anniversary of its central church, the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Panama organized an evangelistic campaign that had as special guests Rev. José Arturo Soto, International President of the Work, and Rev. Carlos Guerra and Rev. Clemente Vergara, International Officers of the Work. The spiritual event, whose motto was “Let’s Go Back to God,” began with a worship in which Rev. Epifanio Asprilla, National Supervisor of the WMM in Panama, talked about the beginnings of the central church of the Work in this country. The servant also spoke about how God has blessed the congregation since 1979. Later, Pastor Soto, world leader of
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LET’S GO BACK TO GOD The WMM in Panama celebrated the 39th anniversary of its main church. Special guests were Rev. José Arturo Soto, Rev. Carlos Guerra and Rev. Clemente Vergara. the WMM, congratulated the members of the main temple of the WMM in Panama for another year of victory in Christ. Likewise, he urged them to stand firm in the Gospel and to preach the Word of God without rest. Then, Pastor Guerra, National Su-
pervisor of the WMM in Costa Rica, preached the Gospel of the Almighty with the sermon “Time of Mercy,” based on Psalm 102: 4-7. The servant reminded the people of Christ that in the midst of affliction and loneliness all suffering and anguish can be confessed to God, who will pour out His blessings. The event of the WMM in Panama ended with a fellowship at the Chilibre Camp, owned by the Work. More than two thousand faithful gathered for this activity, and Rev. Guerra shared the good news with the topic “Seated at the King’s Door”. Finally, Pastor Vergara spoke of his missionary work in Africa, where the Gospel saves souls every day.
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EVENT: ANNIVERSARY OF THE CENTRAL CHURCH IN ORURO / DATE: MARCH 4 / PLACE: ORURO, BOLIVIA
THE FRUITS OF CREDIBILITY AND FAMILY The WMM in Bolivia celebrated the 14th anniversary of the central church in Oruro. Pastor Enrique Valenzuela shared his testimony and efforts to consolidate the Work.
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The central temple of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Oruro celebrated its 14th anniversary with a special worship led by Pastor Enrique Valenzuela and Sister Patricia Vaca de Valenzuela. This beautiful event was attended by Rev. Mario Lima, National Supervisor of the WMM in Bolivia. Rev. Valenzuela recalled how it has been since his arrival in Oruro on February 1, 2004 and how the Lord has blessed him ever since with a ministry of great impact. However, in the fourteen years at the head of the main church of Oruro, servant Valenzuela and his family have had to overcome several tests to go from a congregation of just five members to a robust flock. Rev. Valenzuela, a man of great faith who had the misfortune of losing an 8-year-old daughter in the midst of his pastorate, stressed that, “God will do great things, just the way He has done until now, for the people of Oruro who suffers because of idolatry.”
events
EVENT: NATIONAL FELLOWSHIP DATE: MARCH 23-MARCH 25 PLACE: MANAUS, BRAZIL
INSPIRING NEW GENERATIONS WITH CREDIBILITY The WMM in Brazil held its 7th National Fellowship of Men, in which the Holy Scriptures were explored and the progress of the Work discussed. Manaus, capital city of the Brazilian state of Amazonas, hosted the 7th National Fellowship of Men of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Brazil. The spiritual event had as motto “Inspiring New Generations with Credibility.” At the opening service, which took place at the Samuel Benchimol School, Pastor Jocimar Araújo
Binda preached the Word of God through a sermon based on Philippians 4:9. On the second day, Pastor Ozemilton Cardoso preached the Gospel through a message about credibility as a fundamental virtue of Christian life. He also spoke about the worldly desires that some biblical characters had to face.
On the last day, a conference was held to talk about the progress of the bible school of the Work in this country. The preachers were Rev. Henry Ramos, National Supervisor of the WMM in Brazil, and Pastor Cardoso. Then, in the evening, Pastor Ramos presented the topic “Discovering Evil and the Antidote.”
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EVENT: GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE ELIM BIBLICAL INSTITUTE DATE: APRIL 1 PLACE: ITAUGUÁ, PARAGUAY
PREACH WITHOUT REST The Elim Biblical Institute of Paraguay held its first graduation ceremony. Thus, pastors, workers and leaders of the Work finished their theological training. After four years of biblical and theological formation, a group of workers, pastors and leaders from the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Paraguay held the first graduation ceremony of the Elim Biblical Institute. Rev. Luis Alberto Rivera, National Supervisor of the WMM in Paraguay and General Director of the Elim Biblical Institute, Academic Director Rev. Arialdo Chaquea and teachers of the institution took part in the closing ceremony. Pastor Rivera shared with the attendees a message based on Matthew 28:19-20 aimed to encourage the graduates to take up the challenge of preaching the Word of God without rest so that the Gospel of Jesus Christ can touch the hearts of more people throughout the world. Finally, Pastor Chaquea held a speech in which he saluted the efforts of the Work of the Lord to spread the sound doctrine on the five continents. In addition, Pastor Deisy Chaquea, one of the graduates, made a speech thanking for the knowledge gained about the Sacred Scriptures.
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events
EVENT: CEREMONY OF BAPTISM / DATE: JANUARY 20, FEBRUARY 5, MARCH 5 AND MARCH 13, FEBRUARY 17 AND MARCH 12 / PLACE: MOYOBAMBA, ILO, AREQUIPA, CHICLAYO AND LIMA, PERU
JESUS CHRIST, THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE The WMM in Peru held the Regional Fellowship of Iquitos 2018 in the heart of the Peruvian Amazonia. Rev. Rodolfo González was paid a tribute for his 37 years of pastoral service.
The Worldwide Missionary Movement in Peru held the Regional Fellowship of Iquitos 2018 at the Juan Pinasco Villanueva Stadium, located in Loreto. The event was attended by delegations of faithful from Brazil and Colombia and by the main world leaders of the Work of God. The spiritual activity allowed believers to share the Word with the population of the Peruvian Amazonia. As part of the event, the conference “Reasons and Strategies of Student Evangelism” and an evangelical march through the streets of Iquitos were held. During the Regional Fellowship of Iquitos 2018, Rev. José Arturo Soto, International President of the WMM; Rev. Humberto Henao, International Vice President of the Work; Rev. Rodolfo González, founder of the WMM in Peru, and Rev. Josué Ascarruz, National Officer of the WMM in Peru, had the honor of preaching the Gospel of God. In the last worship, a video was displayed as a tribute for the 37 years of ministerial work of Rev. González, who warmly received the love and recognition of the members of the WMM. Rev. Soto said a prayer for the ministry of the Cuban servant.
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Other events
BOLIVIA Anniversary of Bethel Cochabamba On February 27, the subsidiary of Bethel Radio in the city of Cochabamba celebrated its 14th anniversary. Two days before, the WMM in Bolivia held a worship for the occasion that gathered more than five hundred faithful in the central temple of the Work of God in Conchabamba. The event was broadcast all over the country by the media of the Church. At the ceremony, the Bolivian people of the Lord praised the Almighty for the evangelizing work done by the station, which broadcasts at 95.5 FM, and saluted its leading role in the task of sharing the good news of Christ. At the service, Rev. Marcelo Valenzuela, presbyter in the city of Tarija, preached the Word through the message “The Sword of Goliath.” In the midst of a great expectation, Bethel Radio Cochabamba broadcast for the first time at 10:15 a.m. on February 27, 2004. Back then, Rev. Mario Lima, National Supervisor of the WMM in Bolivia, and other four believers had the privilege of witnessing the birth of the broadcaster. Today, it is a 24/7 station with programs centered on the Gospel.
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CURACAO
MEXICO
Evangelistic Campaign
1st National Youth Fellowship
Faithful to its mission of sharing the good news of the Lord, the WMM in Curacao visited the neighborhood of Seru Fortuna, located in the city of Willemstad, to carry out a campaign of faith on March 15 and March 16. The inhabitants of Seru Fortuna were part of an evangelistic campaign aimed to sow the seeds of the Gospel among those who do not trust in the healing power of Jesus Christ. For the occasion, the WMM in Curacao Sister Saraida American and Brother Junny Camelia as preachers of the Gospel. In Seru Papaya, both of them proclaimed the sound doctrine of the Work of God and showed the way to follow. On the first day, Sister American shared the message “Your Time To Be Free Has Come,” based on Luke 8:26-39. Then, at the closing of the evangelistic campaign, Brother Camelia shared a message based on John 8:32-36 that marveled the audience that gathered in Seru Fortuna.
Under the motto “If There Is Example, There Is Credibility,” the WMM in Mexico held its 1st National Youth Fellowship from April 5 to April 7, in the town of San Lorenzo Almecatla, located in the state of Puebla. The event was attended by pastors Carmen Valencia de Martínez and Lourdes de Hernández. The event of the Work of the Almighty, which was broadcast live by the different media of the WMM in Mexico, allowed the Mexican youth to listen to the Word during three days full of faith. In addition, the spiritual event, held at the La Fortaleza convention center, provided a space for transformation and restoration for the God fearing.
UNITED STATES Fellowship in Sumter The city of Sumter, located in South Carolina, hosted the fellowship of the WMM in the United States on March 18. The event brought together faithful of the Work not only from Sumter, but also from Lumberton, Spartanburg, Charlotte and Burlington. The fellowship was attended by churches and temples of Zone 3 of the WMM in the United States, and by Rev. Luis Villanueva, Head of the Work in Burlington. He shared the message “Do Not Be Afraid,” based on the Sacred Scriptures and preached the Gospel to the attendees.
SWITZERLAND 1st National Youth Fellowship The WMM in Switzerland held its 1st National Youth Fellowship in the commune of Langenthal, located in the canton of Bern. The event, held under the motto “The Beginning,” took place on March 3 and March 4. This spiritual activity was attended by Rev. Galo Fiori, presbyter of the Piedmont Zone of the WMM in Italy; sister Zenaida Espinoza, from the city of Monsa; Sister Miladi Espinoza, member of the WMM in Italy; and Marcelo Echalar, from Genoa. In the morning service of the first day, worker Marcelo Echalar shared the message of God entitled “The Beginning,” based on 2 Corinthians 3:18. Then, in the afternoon, Pastor Zenaida Espinoza developed the topic “The young Man and the Character,” based on Philippians 1: 6. Then, in the closing service, Rev. Galo Fiori preached the Gospel with the message “Service and Goals,” based on Zechariah 13:6. The message of the Lord’s minister was very useful for the more than 150 believers who gathered in Langenthal.
NETHERLANDS
GERMANY
Evangelistic Campaign in Amsterdam
UNITED KINGDOM
Evangelistic Evangelistic Visit to Campaign in Stuttgart Edinburgh
Under the motto “The Word that Gives Life,” the WMM in the Netherlands held an evangelistic campaign in the city of Amsterdam, from March 23 to March 25. It was attended by many churches and temples of the Central Zone of the Dutch territory. During the activity of the WMM in the Netherlands, Rev. Ramón Ortega, member of the WMM in Italy, was the instrument chosen to evangelize the believers who arrived in Amsterdam. The messages of the servant were a great opportunity for the faithful, who were nourished with the Word of Jesus Christ.
On April 14, young brothers and sisters from the WMM in England visited the city of Edinburgh, capital of Scotland, to bring the Word of the Lord to this country with more than five million inhabitants. Once in Edinburgh, the faithful of the Work of God had the opportunity to share the Gospel in its main streets through biblical brochures. The members of the WMM in England also came near the Palace of Holyroodhouse, which is the main residence of the kings and queens of Scotland since the 16th century, where they announced the good news of Christ. As part of the missionary journey of the young representatives from the WMM in England, the followers of Jesus Christ arrived in Scotland and visited the home of a God-fearing Scotswoman. She welcomed the Gospel and appreciated the efforts of the WMM to promote the expansion of Christianity in the world.
The cold that strikes Europe at this time of the year has not prevented a group of brothers from the WMM in Germany from visiting the most important German cities in order to preach the Gospel and save the souls of those who do not know the Word of God. Seven brothers from Munich went through the main streets of Stuttgart with speakers and banners with biblical messages in German, such as “Jesus liebt dich” (“Jesus loves you”). Thus, the capital of the state of BadenWürttemberg received a message of hope and redemption. In addition, Sister Luz Elena V. Castro, Head of the Work in Munich, preached the Gospel of the Lord. The WMM in Germany began its outdoor evangelizing work four years ago in Munich, preaching the Word in the busiest streets of the German territory. At the beginning, outdoor Christianization took place only on Saturdays. However, the members of the Work can now share the Word without restrictions thanks to the German government.
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CARMEN AMBROSIO God bless all the brothers and sisters working for this amazing magazine; it is a blessing for the members of the Church and the non-converts. From El Carmen de Bolívar, Colombia.
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DIEGO PIÑEROS When there is a new edition of the magazine, I get very happy, as God talks to me through biblical teachings. Life stories touch my heart, the pictures of the Work’s progress inspire me and make me feel that I should do more for the Lord. Keep going forward with this amazing project. May God give you wisdom and grace. From Bogota, Colombia. doctrine that will always characterize the Work and this blessed magazine. God bless you greatly and richly. Go forward in Christ. From Medellin, Colombia.
EZEQUIEL CARO
I thank God for the blessings that the Lord Jesus Christ is pouring over this Work, which keeps going forward thanks to your hard work to spread the Word of the Lord. From Pennsylvania, USA.
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I’ll never stop thanking God for the beautiful blessing and the great privilege of being part of the ministry of this Work. I always receive the magazine. I love its inspiring messages, photographs and articles about the events that take place in different places, from Puerto Rico to faraway countries such as India. From Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.
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RICARDO FLORES Keep the good work with this beautiful message of salvation and, above all, with the sound
MAY 4-6 CONVENTION JAPAN, Shizuoka (Hamamatsu) 24-27 CONVENTION THE NETHERLANDS JUNE 1-3 CONVENTION OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND PASTORS (HONDURAS) JULY 4-7 CONVENTION COSTA RICA, Heredia 5-8 CONVENTION BRAZIL, Manaus 5-8 CONVENTION NETHERLANDS ANTILLES, Aruba 10-13 CONGRESS USA, Virginia (Woodbridge) 18-21 CONVENTION UNITY OF PASTORS, MEN, WOMEN AND YOUNG PEOPLE, (Puerto Rico) 26-28 CONVENTION DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 26-29 CONVENTION MEXICO AUGUST 9-12 CONVENTION SPAIN AND BLOCK A OF EUROPE Madrid 9-12 CONVENTION AFRICA, Equatorial Guinea (Bata) 15-18 CONVEGNO VENEZUELA 16-19 CONVENTION ITALY, Milan 23-26 CONVENTION HAITI, Port-au-Prince 23-26 CONVENTION ECUADOR, Guayaquil SEPTEMBER 10-12 CONVENTION PERU, Chiclayo 13-15 CONVENTION PERU, Arequipa 16-18 CONVENTION PERU, Lima 26-29 CONVENTION INDIA 30 WORLD MISSION DAY, simultaneous activity in all the countries OCTOBER 4-7 CONVENTION HONDURAS 5-7 NATIONAL FELLOWSHIP CANADA 19-21 FELLOWSHIP MADAGASCAR 24-28 CONVENTION MAURITIUS NOVEMBER 1-4 CONVENTION CHILE, Santiago 8-11 CONVENTION EL SALVADOR 15-18 CONVENTION URUGUAY, Montevideo 29-2 (DEC) CONVENTION NICARAGUA DECEMBER
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