Edition for AMERICA
THE MAGAZINE THAT EDIFIES YOUR LIFE
August 2018 / Edition 775
evangelistic www.impactoevangelistico.net
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
WORLDWIDE MISSIONARY MOVEMENT
LIFE STORY
William, the soldier of God ANALYSIS
The tongue, a deadly weapon DEVOTIONAL
Do not fear, wait on God Everlasting torment
THE HORRIBLE REALITY
OF HELL
The doctrine now from your cell phone
The new edition of the book called "Biblical Instructions for New Converts", written by Reverend Luis M. Ortiz, is now available on your cell phone. Download it from Google Play (Android) and enjoy this beautiful book that has been a blessing for many believers.
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editorial
THE GOSPEL IS THE
POWER OF GOD
Rev. José Arturo Soto B. International President of the MMM
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16)
T
he word used for “the power of God” in
fore neither thought I myself worthy to come
Greek is dunamis. Dunamis means power,
unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall
virtue, power, strength; the words dynamite, dynamic, dynamo have the same origin.
be healed” (Luke 7:6-7).
There is a supernatural and saving power in
The Apostle Paul, when referring to the Gospel,
God’s message, just like Paul says: “But what saith
says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:
it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and
for it is the power of God unto salvation to every
in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we
one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the
preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth
Greek.” (Romans 1:16). The Gospel has a super-
the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart
natural power and is able to achieve great things.
that God hath raised him from the dead, thou
The Lord entrusts His Church with spreading the
shalt be saved” (Romans 10:8-9). The power
message: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the
contained in the message we preach has come
gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is
from heaven; it is a power that God has given us.
baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not
We are like John the Baptist: “a voice crying out”.
shall be damned” (Mark 16:15-16).
We are only spokesmen, as Christ is the Verb and
The main mission, which is called the great
the Word. Christ is the essence, the structure of
commission of the Church, is to be responsible
the message; when the Holy Spirit’s power sup-
for spreading God’s message across the world.
ports us while speaking to others, and we have
This message is not only words put together, but
lived our own solid experiences and our lives are
a life experience that everyone that has reborn
consecrated to the true ministry, we have a pow-
has experimented, therefore, they must preach
erful weapon that can demolish the Devil.
the message. The Roman centurion said to Jesus,
The power of the Gospel changes lives, be-
“Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy
cause the message of God is effective. God bless
that thou shouldest enter under my roof: Where-
you.
August 2018 / Impacto evangelistic
3
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evangelistic Founder Director: Rev. Luis M. Ortiz AUGUST 2018 / EDITION N° 775 (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
POSTMASTER: send address changes to Impacto Evangelístico P.O. BOX 363644 San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936-3644 Phone (787) 761-8806; 761-8805; 761-8903
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 Worldwide Missionary Movement is a religious nonprofit organization duly registered in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and in the federal capital, Washington DC, with headquarters in both cities and in every state of the United States and other countries where we have established missionary Works. Important The offerings and donations in cash, equipment, real estate and bequests by will, in the benefit of the Worldwide Missionary Movement, Inc.’s Work, are deductible from the income tax, and receipts issued by the WMM are recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of the Federal Government of the United States of America and of the Free Associated State of Puerto Rico. n
Visit our website Obtain uplifting information about God’s Work and keep up with the latest news. A customized access from anywhere in the world: www. impactoevangelistico.net n
If you wish Write to us at our postal address: Worldwide Missionary Movement, Inc. PO Box 363644 San Juan, P. R. 00936-3644 n
Copyright © 2009 Impacto Evangelistic Movimiento Misionero Mundial, Inc. (World-Wide Missionary Movement, Inc.) All content of this magazine and each subsequent edition are duly registered at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC USA. All rights reserved. Total or partial reproduction in any form and translation into other languages without prior permission of the Director are prohibited. Under international copyright agreements, they are crimes punishable by law. n
Doctrinal Statement The Worldwide Missionary Movement adheres to the fundamental doctrines of Scripture, such as: n
Legal deposit made on the National Library of Peru Nº 2011-02530 Christian Pentecostal Church-Worldwide Missionary Movement: Av. 28 de Julio 1781 - Lima 13 - Peru Printout: Quad/Graphics Perú S.A. Av. Los Frutales 344 - Lima 03 - Peru MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 4 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
• The 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 / HERO OF FAITH . The reformer of South Korea DEVOTIONALS 40 / DO NOT FEAR, WAIT ON GOD Rev. Gustavo Martínez Garavito 42 / IF YOU WILL OBEY MY VOICE Rev. Álvaro Garavito
Life story
24 / LITERATURE. Unger’s Bible handbook
Analysis
18 / SCIENCE. What happened to the animals after Noah’s ark?
Cover
16 / WELLBEING. When not enough blood is supplied to the brain
Moving forward slowly but surely
46
How is hell like?
6
The tongue, a deadly weapon
William, the soldier of God
34 20
44 / BLESSED IS HE THAT READS AND THEY THAT HEAR Rev. Rodolfo González 48 / EVENTS.
14 / Infographic.
64 / OTHER EVENTS.
August 2018 / Impacto evangelistic
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CHRIST was, and still is, the greatest preacher of the doctrine of the reality of Hell. The Lord does not mean to scare or threaten us, but to show us the horrid reality of Hell, the danger of everlasting torment, and the way to avoid it.
Rev. Luis M. Ortiz
When Satan succeeded in fooling our first parents in the Garden of Eden, Hell burst with joy; and it still does when preachers, societies and groups deny its existence and reality. For instance, some people deny the existence and reality of hell by saying that the story of the rich man and Lazarus told by Jesus is a parable. It is not. Did the rich man and the beggar named Lazarus exist? Yes, they did! If they had not existed, then the Lord told a lie, and it is unconceivable to think that the Lord would ever use lies to explain truths. This is the literal story of two beggars, one begged in life and other begged after death. The story of Lazarus is in the Holy Scriptures, more specifically in the Gospel of Luke 16:19-31: “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried. And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and MOVIMIENTOMISSIONARY MISIONERO MOVEMENT MUNDIAL 6 WORLDWIDE América • Europe America Europa • Oceanía • África • Asia
cover
HOW IS
HELL LIKE?
August Abril 2018 2018/ /Impacto ImpactoevangelĂstico evangelistic
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said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comfortMISSIONARY MOVEMENT 8 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
ed, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my fa-
ther’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said
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fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup” (Psalm 11:6); “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41); “And he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone… And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever” (Revelation 14:10-11); “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15); “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8)
Did the rich man and the beggar named Lazarus exist? Yes, they did! If they had not existed, then the Lord told a lie, and it is unconceivable to think that the Lord would ever use lies to explain truths.
unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” In the story, the Lord categorically describes the horrid reality of Hell. Christ was, and still is, the greatest preacher of the doctrine of the reality of
Hell. The Lord does not mean to scare or threaten us, but to show us the horrid reality of Hell, the danger of everlasting torment, and the way to avoid it. The Word of God states: “The wicked shall be turned into hell” (Psalm 9:17); “Upon the wicked he shall rain snares,
In the story, Jesus says that in Hell people are fully aware of their sinful past and their torturous present. There is knowledge and memory, as well as torture, lamentation, agony and pain. Hell is a place where there is no rest day nor night (Revelation 14:11), a place of everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46), devouring fire (Isaiah 33:14), everlasting burnings (Isaiah 33:14) and furnace of fire (Matthew 13:41-43). Hells is a place of darkness (Jude 1:13) prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41); a place where the smoke of their torment ascends up for ever and ever (Revelation 14:11); a place nobody would ever want their beloved ones to be (Luke 16:28); a place where the fire never quenches (Mark 9:48). This is where all the unrepentant end up, as well as those who refuse to
August 2018 / Impacto evangelistic
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What makes Hell and the lake that burns with fire and sulfur such a frightening place is not so much the presence of the devil, his minions, the traitors and the sinners who forgot about God and never repented, but the total absence of God and the impossibility to ever leave.
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accept Christ as their Savior: all the nonbelievers, criminals, liars, idolaters, adulterers, fornicators, thieves, sodomites, as well as all the religious and moralist who never really embraced Christ as their Savior. Hell is a place no one can leave, not with prayers nor begging. Prayers, masses, indulgences and ceremonies are useless. Whoever goes to Hell stays in Hell. Just as it is impossible to take someone out of the happiness of Heaven into Hell, nobody can be taken out of Hell to Heaven. If this is the biblical description of Hell, how is it in reality? Not only is Hell dreadful and horrific, but torture gets even worse as we remember our past life lost in sin and the countless opportunities we had to be saved from that place. What makes Hell and the lake that burns with fire and sulfur such a frightening place is not so much the presence of the devil, his minions, the traitors and the sinners who forgot about God and never repented, but the total absence of God and the impossibility to ever leave. The rich man of the story gave in to pleasure and forgot about God. He had no time for the Lord or His things, for his spiritual life, for the Church, for prayers, for repentance. He led a materialistic life with no room for spirituality and the needs of the soul. But when he went to Hell, he cried out, prayed and begged, but it was already too late. How are you leading your life? Have you forgotten about God? Do you have time for everything else but Him? Do you think it is nonsense to go to His house, to look for Him, to pray, to listen to His Word, and to praise His name? This is just what the rich man thought, but after his death, when it was hopelessly late, he realized how fool and dumb he had been for not looking for God in life. Once in Hell, the rich man begged that Lazarus, whom he despised in his lifetime, be sent to him and that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool him, as he was tormented in flames. His request was denied. Then he begged that Lazarus be sent MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 12 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
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to his father’s house and that he may testify to his five siblings, so that they did not end up to Hell just like him. His request was denied. The rich man begged once again saying that if the dead came to his siblings, they would repent. But he was told that his brethren had the prophets, the preachers and the pastors to listen to! He was also told: Son, remember, remember that you received goods, blessings, chances to share your blessings, and opportunities to look for God, to honor God, to obey God, and to repent of your sins. But you did not. Now, this is your punishment: everlasting separation from God (“For the wages of sin is death,” Romans 6:23). Will you remember God now that you have time and opportunity to escape Hell, or will you remember Him in Hell? If you do not look for Him now, you will face the same reality of the rich man. The only chance to escape Hell is right now, in this lifetime; tomorrow could be too late. The Lords says, “Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation… As it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 3:8; 9:27). The only way to escape future Hell is to repent of sin, to believe in the Gospel, and to accept and embrace Jesus-Christ as your great Savior in this lifetime. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Come to Christ right now, accept Him as your Savior, obey Him as your Lord, learn from Him as your Master, follow Him as His disciple, acknowledge Him as your King, and worship Him as your God. Yours is the call: Do you want to go to Heaven or Hell? The Bible states: “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18).
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More than 150,000 people die every day. This figure is even higher than Los Angeles’ population and, when added to the number of deaths throughout the human history, it makes an astonishing quantity. Unfortunately, many of those people died without meeting Christ. What is their fate? Are they really resting in peace or are experiencing a different reality after death?
POPULATION WORLD
STATISTICS
7,638,818,736 Current world population
80,094,258 Births per year
7,121,54 Births per month
33,174,426 Deaths per year
2,973,911 Deaths per month
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1,53
46,919,832
This year’s population growth
10 countries with the highest quantity of deaths per year Country
Mortality rate
2016 2017 2017 2017 2017 2016 2017 2017 2017 2017
Deaths 1.908.541 933.000 649.061 607.172 603.141 590.693 574.123 425.781 423.643 402.852
Mortality rate 12,90‰ 11,30‰ 10,70‰ 9,20‰ 9,00‰ 4,85‰ 13,60‰ 5,30‰ 9,05‰ 10,60‰
AVERAGE DATA FROM 2015 TO 2018
Russia Germany Italy United Kingdom France Mexico Ukraine Turkey Spain Poland
Year
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A stroke is a medical emergency that requires urgent diagnosis and treatment. The period between the onset of the emergency and the diagnosis and proper treatment is extremely important for recovery and survival.
Walter Menchola Vásquez (*)
A cerebrovascular accident occurs when poor blood flow to a part of the brain results in immediate neurological impairment. This condition is commonly known as “stroke” or “brain attack.” Strokes are the second leading cause of death after ischemic heart disease and the third leading cause of disability. They cause 6.2 million deaths per year (10.6%), and the Global Burden of Disease study reveals stroke incidence has significantly increased in the last 20 years worldwide. There are two types of strokes: ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic strokes occur when blood supply to part of the brain is decreased due to, e.g. the obstruction of a blood vessel by a clot as a result of atherosclerosis, in which case we are talking about a thrombotic stroke. Hemorrhagic strokes occur when there is bleeding within the brain or skull due to, e.g. the bursting of an artery that floods brain tissue with blood. The use of blood thinners for medical reasons can also lead to hemorrhagic strokes. What is more, ischemic strokes may bleed and become hemorrhagic strokes. High blood pressure is the main risk factor for strokes; therefore, a proper control is essential to prevent them. Other risk factors are atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus, high blood cholesterol, age (over 55 MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 16 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
WHEN NOT ENOUGH BLOOD IS SUPPLIED TO THE
BRAIN
years), obesity, race (African American), family history, gender (male), poor blood circulation, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, pregnancy, use of hormone replacement therapy. SYMPTONS
Every sudden neurological impairment in people over 18 years old should be considered a stroke until proven otherwise. Symptoms vary depending on the region of the brain affected: paralysis or problems controlling movement in a part of the body and headaches (cephalalgia) are
the most obvious and indicative symptom. Other symptoms are: mood changes, loss of balance, loss of vision or decreased vision, problems swallowing, problems reading and writing, confusion or loss of memory, changes that affect touch and the ability to feel pain, pressure or different temperatures, lack of control over the bladder, trouble speaking or understanding others who are speaking, tingling on one side of the body, changes in hearing or taste. Hemorrhagic strokes usually presents
wellbeing
or even death. A FAST test has been created to identify a possible stroke: 1) Face: Ask the person to smile; if one side of the face or the mouth droops, it is a sign of stroke; 2) Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms; if you notice that one arm drifts downward, it is a sign of stroke; 3) Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence; if words are slurred, it is a sign of stroke ; 4) Time: Take the person to ER as soon as possible. Timely reactions avoid serious consequences and can save a life. TREATMENT AND PREVENTION
Strokes are considered a medical emergency and require immediate treatment. Patients need to be taken as fast as possible to the emergency room at the first signs. High blood pressure needs to be controlled appropriately and decreased very carefully, since brain perfusion depends on the systolic arterial pressure. There are certain exclusion criteria for thrombolytic
Hemorrhagic strokes usually presents with a sudden onset of severe headache that may wake the patient up from sleep and get worse when they change position. They may also be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. They are the most serious due to their bad prognosis.
with a sudden onset of severe headache that may wake the patient up from sleep and get worse when they change position. They may also be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. They are the most serious due to their bad prognosis. Symptoms of ischemic strokes can oc-
cur off and on and slowly get worse. Most of the time patients do not know what is happening to them. The US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) recommends assisting these patients within 60 minutes to prevent disability
therapy besides time based on age and other medical conditions. Strokes are prevented by appropriately controlling blood pressure, obesity and overweight, high cholesterol levels, diabetes mellitus, smoking, and sedentariness. For patients on blood thinners or under hormone replacement therapies, regular checkups are critical.
(*) Internist, Master’s Degree in Public Policies and Management Source: World Health Organization (WHO), Consensus Statement on Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute. Ischemic Stroke, MedlinePlus.
August 2018 / Impacto evangelistic
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NOAH took just a few thousand animals on board the Ark. They survived the yearlong Flood and then stepped off the ship around 4,500 years ago. And then? Where did they go? What was their fate?
The kinds that Noah brought aboard the Ark are approximated by a classification rank somewhere around family and order. In other words, Noah would have brought two representatives from the cat family, not two tigers, two lions, and two ocelots. In calculating the total number of these kinds that went on board the Ark, we included fossil families as well as living families. Among mammal families, we found that the families alive today represent only approximately 30% of the mammal families that ever existed. This means that around 70% of mammal families are now extinct. In other words, 70% of the kinds of mammals that Noah brought on board the Ark died. This is not extinction by virtue of burial in the Flood. Rather, it is extinction after the Flood. The passengers on board the Ark were not cute inventions designed to round out a dramatic—but mythical— story. Instead, they were real creatures who boarded the Ark, survived the Flood, disembarked the Ark, avoided extinction, and left an echo of their existence that reverberates to this day. THE THEOLOGY OF MAMMALIAN EXTINCTION
Yet in just a few generations following the Deluge, the descendants of faithful, righteous Noah descended into gross wickedness again. Mankind rebelled in trying to build a tower to the heavens (Genesis 11:1–9). In response, God judged mankind again, not by sending a global Flood (since He promised to MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 18 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ANIMALS AFTER NOAH’S
ARK?
science
never do so again) but by confusing the languages of mankind. Since mankind fell so quickly into sin again, did God fail to judge sin adequately in the Flood? Was His initial judgment inadequate or poorly designed? No. The Tower of Babel incident was not a compensation for—or correction of—prior failures. Rather, in the Flood, all of rebellious mankind died. In other words, the Flood was a very successful event.
What purpose then did the postFlood return to depravity serve? If nothing else, the speed with which mankind turned his back on his Creator revealed in bold colors the fundamental depravity of the human heart—and hence his need for a Savior. Furthermore, it appears that God intended to give humanity an unforgettable reminder of this fact in the long history that followed Babel. God did not send the Savior immediately fol-
lowing the Tower of Babel incident. Instead, He waited approximately 2,000 years before sending His Son. In other words, God has given mankind two ways in which to discover his sinfulness. First, by telling man explicitly in the Scriptures of his fallen state (e.g., Romans 3:23), mankind learns of his precarious eternal condition and pending doom. Second, by letting humanity flounder for thousands of years, God showed mankind just how wicked his heart really was. Hence, the timing of post-Flood events in the human realm fulfilled a gospel purpose—revealing man’s profound inability to save himself and his desperate need of a Savior, which foreshadowed Christ’s condescension and salvific atonement—hardly a failure on God’s part. Could a similar explanation (e.g., man’s depravity) also be true in the realm of animal extinctions? At the completion of the Flood, God decreed, “Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you” (Genesis 9:3). In light of Genesis 1:30, this divine directive appears to have been a significant change in practice for humans. Specifically, it appears that humans were strictly vegetarian before the Flood (Genesis 1:30) and then switched to a carnivorous diet after the Deluge. Obviously, human carnivory would necessitate the death of animals. Today, humans obviously take advantage of the Genesis 9 permission to eat meat, but some do so to sinful excess. For example, one of the major causes of extinction today is human activity. Thus excessive—if not sinfully motivated— post-Flood hunting may have played a part in the extinction of 70% of mammal kinds. If so, this fact would not expose failure on the part of God; instead, it would highlight man’s depravity and need of a Savior.
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IT has been said that the tongue can be sharper than a sword. Wars that have claimed the lives of thousands of people have broken out because of inopportune statements. Many marriages and friendships have been ruined by unfortunate choice of words and ill-meaning gossip. Words can cause confusion, destroy or hurt, or have the power to heal, encourage and help others.
Carmen Valencia de Martínez
Did you know we all carry a deathly weapon wherever we go? The Holy Ghost inspired Solomon to write: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21). The apostle James says that the tongue is a little member, full of deadly poison. James 3:1-6 says, “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.” MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 20 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
THE TONG Backbiting and gossiping are a bitter and wicked sin that causes God’s wrath. A man that slanders his neighbor is destroyed by God (Psalms 101:5; Proverbs 18:8). Gossips love making up and engaging in gossip and breaking families and friends. They are wicked.
POISON OR BALM
The tongue can be poison or balm; the tongue can be lit with the mighty fire of God or by the fire of Hell. When God takes over the life of a person, they become a powerful blessing wherever they go; their words carry salvation and blessing. But, if their words are lit by Satan, they become an instrument of destruction. Not many words are needed to do harm, to light that small
analysis
man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good, and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil (Luke 6:45). MIND YOUR WORDS
Why is it so important to mind our words? Because they may bring forth life or death, blessing or curse, judgment or mercy on us. The tongue that backbites and mutters is not inspired by God, but it is rather moved by hell itself. Backbiting means criticizing, gossiping, scheming, grumbling about other people without respect and behind their backs in order to hurt them. GOSSIPING
GUE, spark that may burn down a whole forest of lives and relationships. The apostle James want us to understand the weight of our words. It has been said that the tongue can be sharper than a sword. Wars that have claimed the lives of thousands of people have broken out because of inopportune statements. Many marriages and friendships have been ruined by unfortunate choice of words and ill-meaning
A DEADLY WEAPON gossip. Words can cause confusion, destroy or hurt, or have the power to heal, encourage and help others (Proverbs 12:18). Unfortunate words can harm and shatter a heart. Job himself told his visitors with despair: “How long will you torment my soul, and break me in pieces with words? ( John 9:2). Our words are a manifestation of our spirituality. Jesus said that a good
Why so many people engage in gossiping? Because they have time to waste and do not know better. 1 Timothy 5:13 says, “And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.” The terms used for “gossip” in Hebrew and Greek refers to go from one person to other. In Greek, it means to whisper. Gossips will always be hypocrites, they will never say things to the face. They will go from one person to the other, sneaking out, as they do not have the guts to say things frankly. They will do it in secret, in a low tone, from house to house, because they are coward. A WICKED SIN
Backbiting and gossiping are a bitter and wicked sin that causes God’s wrath. A man that slanders his neighbor is destroyed by God (Psalms 101:5; Proverbs 18:8). Gossips love making up and engaging in gossip and breaking families and friends. They are wicked, and wickedness is their way of life. Where there is no gossip, there is no strife (Proverbs 16:28; 26:20). Gossips are not to be listened to and they cannot be welcomed into our homes or our lives because they may
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cause harm, corruption, pollution (Proverbs 20:19; 1 Timothy 5:22). STAIRWAY TO REBELLION
Non-conformism, grumbling and backbiting lead to other sin: rebellion, which is one of the deadliest sins to God. For many, it has meant their fall, the destruction of their homes and ministries, and the death of those that God wanted to use. Rebellion opens the door to the direct influence of demons, and this satanic influence makes us dare rebel and revolt against the authorities that God has appointed. “Authority” in Greek means the right or liberty to act, but also the power vested in a person to lead or govern. The throne of God is based on authority, and everything was created under His authority; the authority of God represents God Himself. God does not depend on anything or anyone to be an authority; He is Almighty or Omnipotent. Every authority on Earth, whether angels, archangels or human beings, is appointed by God. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, tells us to subject to higher authorities because they there is no power but of God; so whoever resists the authority, resists God, thus bringing judgment on themselves (Romans 13:1-2). The apostle Peter also warns us to submit ourselves to authorities, because they have been sent by God to punish evildoers and praise those who do well (1 Peter 2:13-14). Rebelling against a person to whom God has given authority is rebelling against God Himself (1 Samuel 8:7). DEADLY WEAPON
There has always been a spiritual war waged by Satan against God’s people, i.e. those appointed by Him as authorities, using backbiting as a weapon. The apostle Paul was no exception (2 Corinthians 10:8; 1 Corinthians 9:2-3). It is so sad to see that those who should appreciate do not appreciate, that those who should respect do not respect, that those who should honor the minMISSIONARY MOVEMENT 22 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
istry do not honor it or do not always honor it. Moses was a victim of backbiting because his wife was Ethiopian (Numbers 12:1). What was worse was that the backbiters were not strangers to Moses, but
they were leaders of the people: Miriam, his sister, prophetess, leader among the women in Israel, and Aaron, his brother, a high priest, a religious leader. It was unbelievable: they were criticizing and murmuring against the man
analysis
them. The backbiting that hurts the most is that coming from the people who are closer to us, because we usually expect the best from insiders and the worst from outsiders. But the Lord heard their gossiping. God sees and hears everything that is said and done on Earth (Numbers 12:38). God Himself fought for His servant, defended him and his ministry, appreciated his work. When someone speaks against a servant of God, it is not because they are filled with God, it is because they lack fear of God in their hearts; they are strayed even if they are part of the Church. God spoke to them: “Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?” (Numbers 12:8). If they had been God-fearing, they would not have done it. But how different was King David: he had the opportunity to end his “enemy,” King Saul, who had chased after him until exhaustion; however, David never spoke ill of him, underestimated him, or even tried to hurt him physically. His words were, “The Lord forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed” (1 Samuel 26:11). A true son of God will always respect authority. Backbiting will lead us to lose God’s presence and glory. And this is the worst loss for a child of God.
Gossips will always be hypocrites, they will never say things to the face. They will go from one person to the other, sneaking out, as they do not have the guts to say things frankly. They will do it in secret, in a low tone, from house to house, because they are coward. that God had used to give them an honorable position. They did not care about the suffering they were causing to Moses’ heart. They questioned Moses’s calling and ministry as if he was just another person, an ordinary man. Moses was
stabbed in the back by those who were supposed to have his back, to support him, to appreciate him, and to help him carry his burden, instead of making it heavier. He had given them a hand, he had chosen them, he had put his trust in
It is time to stand up against every form of gossiping, to shut the door on the sin of backbiting, and to open our heart to God and His Word. It is time to stand up and say no to those who go against the Work of God and His instruments.
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THE hymn, written by William Lamartine Thompson, was used during the memorial service for Martin Luther King and is still today a popular Christian song about the great patience of the Lord.
“Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling” is an iconic gospel song from late 19th century. Written by American composer William Lamartine Thompson in 1880, it is still today a renowned song about the Lord’s mercy and compassion. Used by preacher Dwight L. Moody in his mass campaigns in the U.S. and the U.K., Thompson’s hymn focuses on God’s call for sinners to receive His protection. It also refers to the great patience of the Lord, who trusts that his followers will turn to Him in their moments of despair, pain and hardship. This famous hymn was used in the memorial service for pastor Martin Luther King. It has 4 verses and 1 refrain that implicitly make reference to passages from the Holy Scriptures, such as Luke 5:32, Matthew 9:13, Hebrews 3:15, Psalm 90:9-10, 1 John 3:16-19, 2 Thessalonians 2:14, and Matthew 11:28-30. REMARKABLE SERVANT
Born on November 7, 1847, in Ohio, the author of “Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling” went down in history for his contribution to gospel music and the spread of the Gospel through his W.L. Thompson Music Company. The American composer graduated from Mount Union University in 1870, and also enrolled in the New England Conservatory of Music, the oldest independent school of music in the country. He continued his training in the German city of Leipzig, home to Johann Sebastian Bach. MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 24 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
SOFTLY AND TENDERLY
JESUS IS CALLING This traditional gospel song has been part of film soundtracks and has been recorded by many Christian artists, such as Amy Grant, Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood, Kelly Clarkson, Johnny Cash, and Alan Jackson. “Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling” was very much loved by Rev. Moody for its biblical message. On his deathbed, he said, “Will, I would rather have written ‘Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling’ than anything I have been able to do in my whole life.” The hymn shows the ideal path towards the Almighty and the discovery of the Gospel. For years, his contribution to Christianity has borne fruit thanks to its promotion of the Savior’s Word.
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SOFTLY AND TENDERLY JESUS IS CALLING 1 Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, Calling for you and for me; See, on the portals he’s waiting and watching, Watching for you and for me. Refrain Come home, come home; You who are weary come home; Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, Calling, O sinner, come home! 2 Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading, Pleading for you and for me? Why should we linger and heed not his mercies, Mercies for you and for me? 3 Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing, Passing from you and from me; Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming, Coming for you and for me. 4 O for the wonderful love he has promised, Promised for you and for me! Though we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon, Pardon for you and for me.
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THIS book, written by exegete Merril Unger and published in 1966, is a thorough guide on the Holy Scriptures that offers a complete commentary on the 66 books of the Bible.
The word “Bible” designates the Scriptures of the Old and the New Testaments recognized and used by the Christian churches. Judaism recognizes only the Scriptures of the OT. Other religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism and Islam, have their sacred writings. But there is only one Bible – incomparable, unique as far as all other “sacred” literature is concerned, because: It is the revelation of God. It is “God-breathed” and inspired in a different sense from all other literature. It discloses God’s plans and purposes for the ages of time and eternity. It centers in God incarnate in Jesus Christ, the Saviour of mankind. Unger’s Bible Handbook is the 20th century’s ultimate biblical guide to learn about the Word. Written by theologian Merril Unger and published by Moody Press in 1966, the book offers a view of the Holy Scriptures and gathers relevant biblical information containing images, photographs, maps and charts. The Bible was given to bear witness to one God, Creator and Sustainer of the universe, through Christ, Redeemer of sinful man. It presents one continuous story – that of human redemption. This story is a progressive unfolding of the central truth of the Bible that God in His eternal counsels was to become incarnate in Jesus Christ for the redemption of fallen man. The unfolding of this central truth of redemption is set forth through history, prophecy, type and symbol. This revelation of human redemption through Christ orients man in the larger framework of God’s plans for him in the ages of time, as well as the divine purpose for him in eternity. MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 26 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
UNGER’S
BIBLE HANDBOOK Unger’s handbook, which was written to highlight the benefits of biblical study, is a complete commentary on the 66 books of the Scriptures. Its Christian author, born in the U.S. in 1909, also provides a detailed interpretation of the Bible based on the original Hebrew books, as well as an explanation for the whole message and purpose of the divine revelation. RELEVANT INFORMATION
Noah’s panoramic prophecy of moral and spiritual history forms an indispensable
The seven-sealed book is the title deed to the forfeited inheritance of the earth lost by Adam when he fell. This legal document, guaranteeing the dispossession of Satan and wicked men from the earth, and provided by Christ’s atoning death, is seen lying “upon” the opened right hand of the One sitting on the throne (God the Father).
introduction to the principle that underlies the ethnographic table of Genesis 10, viz., that in God’s ways with men the moral character of a nation cannot be understood unless its source is known. The nation Israel, divinely elected to be the medium of redemptive blessing to the world, needed to know the source from which the various nations surrounding her sprang, that she might know how to act toward them. W.F Albright writes concerning the table: “It stands absolutely alone in ancient literature, without a remote parallel even among the Greeks…” Unger became a renowned expert in knowledge about God and wrote more than 40 books on theological and practical topics from the Old and New Testament. His handbook is full of upto-date scientific information on the Bible, as well as geographical, chronological, historical, and archaeological notes of great interest. He relied on the the Holy Spirit to write about the Word. The Hebrew title for the Psalter is Book of Praises (seper Tehillim). Praise, worship, confession and the outpouring of prayer characterize the Psalms. The Psalter was the hymnal of the Jewish people
literature
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and is the prayer and praise manual of the Christian church. Martin Luther called the Psalter “a Bible in miniature.” Our English word “Psalms,” from the Septuagint Psalmoi, means “songs” accompanied by string instruments. In the Hebrew Bible, Psalms head the third division, called the ketûbîm or Writings (Luke 24:44). The Hebrew Bible contains 150 psalms. Great prophetic themes run through the book, as NT quotations prove. Unger graduated from Johns Hopkins University and Dallas Theological Seminary. He fought occultism and worked hard to spread the Gospel among many people. His handbook gathers the essentials on the Holy Scriptures and is still today a useful resource to obtain an accurate interpretation of biblical verses, events, and characters. BIBLICAL TREASURE
The four gospels are neither histories of the life of Christ nor biographies. They are rather portraits of the person and work of the long-promised Messiah, Israel’s King and the world’s Saviour. As portraits they present four different poses of one unique personality. Matthew by the Holy Spirit presents Christ as King, Mark as Servant, Luke as Man, and John as God. While each of the gospel writers focuses on one specific role in his portrait of the Messiah, they all recognize and allude to each of the other facets of the Messiah’s personality and ministry. Thus all four writers present the one and same unique Person, the God-Man, Servant of the Lord, King of Israel, humanity’s Redeemer. Merril Unger died in 1980 after a long life of work for the faith. As a man of deep Christian convictions, he became an authority in biblical demonology for his knowledge about Satan’s army composition. He was a professor of Old Testament studies at Dallas Theological Seminary for 19 years and led many churches in New York. The seven-sealed book is the title deed to the forfeited inheritance of the earth lost by Adam when he fell. This legal document, guaranteeing the dispossession MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 28 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
literature
The Psalter was the hymnal of the Jewish people and is the prayer and praise manual of the Christian church. Martin Luther called the Psalter “a Bible in miniature.” Our English word “Psalms,” from the Septuagint Psalmoi, means “songs” accompanied by string instruments.
of Satan and wicked men from the earth (Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:22-23), and provided by Christ’s atoning death, is seen lying “upon” the opened right hand of the One sitting on the throne (God the Father). “A scroll with writing on both sides” implies the completeness of legal provision for dispossession. “Sealed with seven seals” symbolizes the completeness of the sealing till one legally qualified to open the tightly closed legal document should appear. Unger’s Bible Handbook contains a treasure of biblical truths and displays God’s revelations as well as an outline of the intertestamental period between the Old and New Testament, a brief history of the Church, notes about other religions and relevant statistics. This carefully organized book is the masterpiece of exegete Merrill Unger. The King James Version (1611) was the culmination of these preceding early translations and revisions, and became the third ‘authorized’ English Bible, sponsored by James I of England. It employed the chapter divisions of Stephen Langton, archbishop of Canterbury in the 13th cen., and the verse divisions of Robert Estienne (1551)
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HENRY Gerhard Appenzeller was a pioneer of evangelization in South Korea, which began near the end of the 19th century. His work opened a path for the good news to change the life of thousands of people. Daniel Davies
Historians acknowledge Henry G. Appenzeller as one of the paramount Protestant pioneer missionaries to Korea. He was one of the most renowned missionaries promoting the spread of the faith in God in East Asia. His work for the Gospel had a great impact on religious freedom and secular and Christian education in South Korea. Henry G. Appenzeller, together with his wife, Ella, and in company with Presbyterian Horace G. Underwood, set foot on dry ground at Chemulpo (present day Inchon) on April 5, 1885. From that time until his tragic death in a steamship collision off the coast of Korea in June 1902, Appenzeller participated in founding Methodist congregations, defended Korean independence from Chinese, French, English, Japanese, and Russian imperialism, promoted democracy, and founded the first western educational institution in Korea. EVANGELICAL EDUCATION
Born in 1858, thirty miles north of Philadelphia, Appenzeller was the second of three sons. The Appenzellers followed the traditions of their Swiss and German ancestors, centered around the farming way of life. They also practiced the traditional religion of the Souderton area, the German Reformed faith. At eighteen, while preparing for college at West Chester Normal School in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Appenzeller experienced a MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 30 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
THE REFORMER OF SOUTH
KOREA spiritual conversion during a revival meeting. In 1878, Appenzeller enrolled in Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, sent there and financially supported by his father to prepare for the German Reformed ministry. Prompted by a deepening sense of evangelical piety and attracted by the Methodists in Lancaster, he became an assistant pastor in the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1880, pastoring, appropriately, the East Mission of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Lancaster. Upon graduation from Franklin & Marshall in 1882, Appenzeller enrolled in Drew Theological Seminary, Madison, New Jersey, to prepare for the Methodist Episcopal ministry. He attended Drew during a period of exceptional interest in the global missionary movement. Appenzeller demonstrated his first serious interest in foreign missions
at Drew. He submitted a request to the Board of Foreign Missions of the Methodist Episcopal Church for an appointment to Japan, but no openings existed. Instead, Korea opened as a mission field in late 1884 and the Board considered Appenzeller for the assignment. The Board, noting both Appenzeller’s experience as an educator (he taught in the Pennsylvania public school system from 187 8-1880 while attending Franklin & Marshall College) and his training for the Methodist ministry at Drew Theological Seminary, on December 20, 1884 finally decided to send him and his bride, Ella, to Korea, which was facing a threat of invasion by China or Japan. On January 14, 1885, the Drew Theological Seminary community sent the Appenzellers on their way to Korea with a spirit-filled worship service. They traveled across the United States by train, and on February
hero of faith
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3, 1885 embarked across the Pacific for Korea, arriving in Yokohama on February 26, 1885. HARD WORK
The volatile political situation in Korea, with the Chinese and Japanese troops facing each other in Seoul ready for war, endangered missionaries in Seoul. Appenzeller expressed a willingness to take the risk, but refused to expose Ella, then two months pregnant, to the dangers. They departed Korea April 9, 1885 and waited at Nagasaki, Japan, for a more opportune time to re-enter. Upon receiving news of relative political quiet in Korea in the middle of June 1885, the Appenzellers departed Japan a second time for Korea, arriving in Chemulpo again on June 20, 1885. They found temporary housing in shabby servant quarters and waited to locate housing before proceeding to Seoul. On July 29, 1885, they arrived in Seoul and established permanent residence. The Appenzellers spent most of their first year of residence in Seoul remodeling their Korean house and studying the Korean language. In 1887, when the restrictions on religious activities were lifted, Henry got down to business, his headquarters being near the American and British delegations. From the “miniature America” community established by missionaries in the historical capital of South Korea he spread the benefits of Christianity and the Christian family institution among the population. His first achievement was the creation of a boys’ school in February 1887, named Paichai Hakdang by the Korean King. This hero of faith saw the education institution as a means to show the Gospel to young Koreans. He introduced very useful Western knowledge in the study program and thus laid the foundations of South Korean education. EVERLASTING LEGACY
In 1890, he created the Trilingual Press at PaiChai. This Korean, Chinese, and MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 32 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
hero of faith
English press became the home of important publications, including the Korean Christian Advocate, the first Korean-language Christian newspaper, and the Independent, which became the focus of PaiChai’s commitment to Korean independence. Appenzeller was one of the founders of the first Methodist church in South Korea and he supported other protestant institutions as well. The missionary established in 1887 the Chong Dong, or First Methodist Church, in Seoul, where he served as pastor until his death. This congregation provided Korean Christianity with men and women that bore the banner of the Gospel and strengthened the spread of the faith in the Almighty. The American preacher also devoted to the translation of the Holy Scriptures into Korean. Appenzeller worked in the translation of the Old Testament with the support of a group of Methodist and Presbyterian missionaries, as well as Korean translators. He was similarly involved in the creation of various evangelical institutions that are still standing. Before the appearance of the independence movement in Korea, Appenzeller was already a firm advocate of freedom in the country. He strongly believed that people could control their destiny with the blessing of God. Day after day, he worked and fought hard with the Bible to attain the conversion of thousands of people that were ignorant of Christ’s love and lived in sin and evil. Henry Gerhard Appenzeller died on June 11, 1902, when he was but 44 years old, in a steamship collision off the Korean coast. According to his biographers, he died while trying to save other people’s lives. He is remembered as a man of God passionate about the salvation of humanity through Jesus’ love, who relied on the Scriptures as a source of hope.
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HE was sentenced to 60 years in prison in Colombia. He was one of the most feared guerrilla soldiers in the country, but his life changed behind bars. He became a prison preacher and he is grateful to God for His unconditional love. Susan Amau Photography: MMM Colombia and family files
William Contreras Sanguino sat in the dock and listened to his sentence. The strong voice of the clerk was loud and clear in the courtroom. He had been sentenced to 60 years in prison. His world fell apart: he would spend the rest of his life cramped in a dirty, stinky, cold cell. The Colombian judges had been severe because of all the charges against him. And no wonder. He had committed many crimes, and was part of one of the terrorist groups that had emerged in the country decades before. He joined when he was but an adolescent. Life had never been easy for William Contreras Sanguino. He had had to deal with all kinds of difficulties, but the 60year sentence was too much to digest. He would never be free again. He would die in a maximum security prison. As a child, he suffered material and emotional hardship. Extreme poverty and violence surrounded his family, and he began working at 7 just to put food on the table. His situation worsened when his mother died when he was 12. Forsaken, he looked for a way to escape his situation, but he chose wrong. He joined the guerrilla when he was 14 and entered the Colombian jungle to start a new life marked by cruelty and death. He learnt about weapons and military strategy. Soon enough he moved up in the guerrilla hierarchy and became chief of a detachment of many men and women. MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 34 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
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life story
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His fame reached the media and articles against him were published. The authorities put a price on his head and many wanted him for the reward. Many years passed while the young man continued to climb the guerrilla ladder, but one day he was forced to leave his hideout in the jungle. In 1993, William contracted a gastrointestinal illness that required specialized MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 36 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
treatment, so he had no option but to go to the city. While treating his disease, someone identified him and reported him. He appeared in the front page of a newspaper in Bucaramanga. The authorities apprehended him and his days of freedom were over. He was taken to the facilities of Quinta Brigada, where he spent a hard time. It was his first time in a prison, and even
if his life had been no bed of roses, the imprisonment was like nothing he had been through before. He was tortured to get information about the guerrilla, but managed to endure for several weeks. Then he was brought to trial and he was given the severe sentence that he had to serve in the prison of Bucaramanga. William was not willing to end his days in prison, so he planned a way to
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escape from the first moment. He could have been killed trying, but he did not want to spend the rest of his life within four walls. He was planning his breakout when another prisoner came to speak to him. He was a Christian who wanted to help him mend his way. “Only Christ can give you the physical and spiritual freedom you need,” he said. It was the first time someone talked
to him directly about God. He knew there was a group of Christian prisoners as he had seen them in their daily worships, but he had only watched them from afar. The man talking to him was one of them. He listened for a few minutes, but then he realized what he was doing and started to mock the preacher. He only had a head for his escape plan, Marxism and Leninism.
Even though he decided never again to listen to the Christian, something stayed with him. In the next days, he paid more attention to the activities of the Christian group. He saw them now in a new light, as if free from the drama of the prison, as if actually free. They had some glow and they were always happy. He was intrigued. A few days before the breakout, the plan was discovered. He was immediately punished and taken to the prison of Palmira Valle. There he met another a group of Christians that preached the Word. However, William insisted in escaping, and he was transferred once again to another prison, Picaleña Ibagué Tolima. While imprisoned, he got sick, depressed and bitter. He thought about killing himself, but one day he met a group of prisoners who also wanted to escape. It seemed that he was going to make it this time. However, when they were ready to put the plan into practice, the Police caught them and they were severely punished. The shady El Barne maximum security prison, in Tunja, Boyacá, became his new home. Highly dangerous prisoners, re-offenders, and prisoners transferred from other prisons were sent there. They were all so dangerous that they had taken over the blocks. The so-called “caciques” (chiefs) ruled over everything that happened within the facility, and William Contreras Sanguino was one of them. He was feared and respected even among the security guards. He had total control over one of the blocks, and so he was always involved in constant brawls. Fights were often for power and control over the sale of alcohol, drugs, etc. One day, his men were suddenly attacked and there was a big fight in the yard. William, as the “cacique,” handed over all his weapons among them and he ended up with none. There he was, weaponless in the middle of the yard, but miraculously, no one touched him. Men were fighting to death around him, but it was as if he had a shield around him. He came out unscathed. Many years later, William came to understand what happened that day:
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“God protected me so that I could later spread His Word,” he says. After the episode, he continued to enjoy the privileges of being a “cacique.” In the next years, he was transferred to prisons in Bogotá, Cartagena, Valledupar (Tramacúa) and Barranquilla. He was finally taken to the El Bosque national prison, in Barranquilla, where his life MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 38 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
took an unexpected turn. He was preached the Word in every prison, but it was one night, in Medellin, that he had a personal experience with the Lord. It was 1 a.m. and he was tossing and turning in his cold rickety bed when he suddenly saw the sky in flames and, among the fire, a white horse descending to Earth. He was in a desert surrounded
by a crowd that was on their knees, crying out that the end of the world and the second coming of Christ had arrived. Then everyone was trodden and the blood came out to the horse bridles. William was terrified as he saw the horse coming towards him. He started to cry out and in that moment, he came back to his senses and repented of everything he
life story
The Colombian judges had been severe because of all the charges against him. And no wonder. He had committed many crimes, and was part of one of the terrorist groups that had emerged in the country decades before. He joined when he was but an adolescent.
Then everyone was trodden and the blood came out to the horse bridles. William was terrified as he saw the horse coming towards him. He started to cry out and in that moment, he came back to his senses and repented of everything he had done in his life. He cried and begged for God’s forgiveness.
had done in his life. He cried and begged for God’s forgiveness. That’s is how he began to change. There was something different in his heart and he joined the seven Christians that gathered to pray. His former partners mocked him, of course, but he did not mind. Every day was a gift from the Lord and the pain was gone. William felt free.
A month after his conversion, he began to study the Bible and discovered that his dream was related to the book of Revelation. He also started to preach in the prison. He had already served 8 years and he spent the next 7 preaching the Lord’s Word. He still went through difficult moments. His disease worsened and he was declared terminally ill, but He
humbled himself before God, and thanks to his faith, he was healed. God restored his heart and William was finally free. He forgave his father and currently leads an evangelical group within the El Bosque prison, the very same place where God had set him free. He has a beautiful family and he has become a blessing to many souls afflicted by sin.
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“It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle. Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi. And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the Lord: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 20:1-4.
Rev. Gustavo Martínez Garavito
This passage of God’s Word tells us about a man named Jehoshaphat, descendant of David, king of Judah, who faced one of the most threatening attacks to his kingdom. This put his responsibility as governor of Judah, his army and all his achievements to the test. The threat was the invasion of a large army of Moabites, Ammonites and Edomites, who had allied against Israel. They were enemies of Israel since ancient times, as they could not accept that God had exalted the Hebrew. Because of their envy, the invaders wanted to destroy the people favored by God. By telling us about this aggressive move against Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah, who had done nothing to provoke them, the Word shows that problems do not always happen to us because we have made a mistake or sinned. God is omnipresent, real and powerful, but bad things can still happen when we do the right thing. “It came to pass after this…” (v. 1), that is, after success, blessings and stability, “that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against JeMISSIONARY MOVEMENT 40 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
DO NOT FEAR, WAIT
ON GOD
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hoshaphat to battle. Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria... And Jehoshaphat feared…” (v. 2-3) Beloved readers, this man feared, which was natural. However, something stronger than fear grew within him: complete trust in God. The Word states: “And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah” (v. 3). It does not matter how difficult a problem or situation is, we cannot loss direction. Jehoshaphat acknowledged his limitations and weakness. Conflict is a chance to discover what we are made of, who we trust in, who we resort to in difficult times, and who we pour out our hearts to. In short, they are a chance to turn to the Lord. This man did not only realized that God could help him, but he acted accordingly and approached Him. Sometimes, conflict is necessary to make us look for God, turn to Him, and do what that king did in the same situation: pray and fast, and prostrate before Him. “And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the Lord: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord” (2 Chronicles 20:4). Would the same amount of people had come under other circumstances? Maybe they would have not be as quickly prone to prostrate before God and ask for His divine help if there had not been an imminent threat to their children, women, property and life. Only when there is actual threat, people become aware and freely humble themselves to worship and honor God, and beg for His intervention. Beloved readers, nothing is impossible to God. God is here right now and He can heal you and save you. Worry no more about threats or the enemy’s schemes, because He is an Almighty God. He will guard you at all times. He will be a fence and a shield that protects you. God will give you the victory!
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“Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine.” Exodus 19:5.
Rev. Álvaro Garavito
God puts conditions on all the thousands of promises that we find throughout the Holy Scriptures, because there is no blessing without condition. God has the power. He is the owner of the heavens, the earth, the world, the gold, the silver and all there is. God has the power to do as He pleases, but His promises are true, real and effective. On the other hand, men are used to making empty promises. Just as God keeps His promises, “when thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay” (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5). The Lord’s promises involve a condition and a commitment, as we will all enjoy the blessing. If we do not act accordingly, there will be no blessing; if we do not meet the condition, the promise will not be kept. The biblical passage above begins with this sentence: “If ye will obey my voice.” That is the first condition. Many churches, congregations and groups like listening to the music and praise at church, but when the time comes to listen to the Word of God, they stand up and leave. However, the Lord says, “If ye will obey my voice indeed.” If you diligently obey His voice, something will happen. If we keep His word and put it into practice, the promises will be fulfilled. Satan knows this and will always try to divert our attention. Commitment begins with the need and responsibility to listen to God’s voice. Whether it MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 42 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
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IF YOU WILL OBEY MY
VOICE
is an order, an exhortation or a rebuke, we must be willing to obey His voice. The Word says, “rebuke and exhort” (2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 2:15), but not everybody likes rebukes. The second condition is, “And keep my covenant” (Exodus 23:22), that is, do what He asks us to do. Some people chop the Word, removing the condition and leaving only the blessing, saying things that God has not said. If we are willing to obey the voice of God and do what He tells us to do, then His promise will be fulfilled in us. Do not worry about the enemy, because the Lord will deal with them. Exodus 19:5 says, “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant (the two conditions), then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine (the promise).” Are we keeping the covenant? Or are we just taking advantage of a promise that does not belong to us? It belongs to us only if we fulfill the requirement. That is when we can say that we are His peculiar treasure. Deuteronomy 28:1 says, “And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations
of the earth.” Here is a chain promise that God makes on strict conditions. Some people, having honored God, have joined a company as janitors and then become managers with 40 or 50 people under their charge. God has placed them above others. Deuteronomy 28:2 says, “And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.” Many have lost God’s blessing because they have paid no attention to God’s voice. They go to church to sleep, talk or even tell jokes while the preacher shares the message. Their body is there, but they are not paying attention, so their mind is elsewhere and the Word of God does not work in them. When we listen to the Word, it produces faith and extraordinary effects. Those who do not listen to God will not receive the blessing. When we are willing to listen, we are healed, rebuked, reprimanded, set free, confronted, freed and raised. The Lord sets the condition, “if ye will obey my voice indeed,” because He knows that those who listen to Him will not be the same. If we diligently obey the voice of God, something will happen. If we keep the Word, those promises will be fulfilled “and all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee” (Deuteronomy 28:2). Amen.
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BLESSED
IS HE THAT READS AND THEY THAT HEAR “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Revelation 1:3.
Rev. Rodolfo González
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Throughout biblical history, God has spoken about the beginning of society on Earth and, through prophesies, also about its end. God’s purpose after human disobedience was not to destroy men, but rather to save them from condemnation. That is why He established laws
and commandments that had to be obeyed to achieve peace and happiness. Unfortunately, people ignore them and insist on staying away from God, so busy with their crimes and sins that they support immoral laws that further corrupt society. We are all witnesses of the terrible
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manifestations of nature: great earthquakes, unusually high temperatures, pandemics like Ebola, that have killed more than eleven thousand people, and of the political, social and economic instability in the whole world. This is no coincidence. However, indifference has hardened the hearts of men,
and we have turned their back on their Creator. All these global phenomena are part of the fulfillment of the most certain prophetic Word, which says: “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 24:32-33). Beloved readers, let us think for a moment. The coming of the Lord is imminent, but no one knows the day or the time for sure (Matthew 24:36). However, all these events tell us how close it is. Whether you accept it or not, each prophecy revealed and explained in Revelation will be fulfilled very soon. The Scriptures are a great blessing to the avid readers of the Lord. “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand” (Revelation 1:3). Blessed is he who receives the joy and true happiness that comes from God. Blessed are those who read the revelation, those who listen to its content and also those who obey it. Revelation is not only an exposure, but also a prophecy; it is the fulfillment of the words regarding the end of time spoken by the prophets of the Old Testament, Lord Jesus Christ and his holy apostles. Many enjoy reading this book, while others feel frightened. My purpose is not to cause fear, but simply to share the message of God so that we are all aware that the end of all things is near. It is not unreasonable to accept what the Bible teaches; everything is perfectly consistent and there are no contradictions. It is the true fulfillment of the prophetic words written many centuries and millennia ago, which give us testimony that they really are the revelation of God. What the Scripture states is serious,
real, firm, and will be fulfilled beyond any doubt. Although many do not believe it, the Earth will end. Let us not be foolish, there is a place in heaven to earn and a hell to avoid. Dear children, let us be prepared. The prophetic clock is ticking extremely fast. I am about to finish my work here. Any of us can die today, tomorrow or many years from now. But we have to be ready for such day when our soul and spirit will leave our body and appear before God. Every day I yearn in my heart for the coming of the Lord. Oh what a glorious experience to meet Him in the clouds! May the Lord allow that the whole world to read this valuable material and always keep in mind that our Lord Jesus Christ is coming and that we must be ready. And in the meantime, I make the words of the great apostle Paul mine: “...and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). He will definitely come, and we will definitely go. “Here, I’m coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book” (Revelation 22:7). Glory be to God! Beloved brethren, “the time is near” (Revelation 1:3), which means that the rapture of the Church, the judgments of the Revelation and the establishment of the millennial reign of Christ are near. It is a call for us to be prepared and to live in sobriety as children of light (1 Thessalonians 5:4-10). Many see the prophecies of Revelation as extremely horrible and terrifying events, and wish that they never be fulfilled. But, the apostle John, who was initially overwhelmed by such tragic scenes, eventually sees how wonderful, sublime and precious the completion of God’s plan. He even feels satisfied and joyful, and says in determination, “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20). Hallelujah, Jesus Christ is coming! Be ready!
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DESPITE the tenseness of the situation in the Middle East, the Church of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Israel continues to grow and save many souls for Christ. Every day, the faithful show their faith and courage to fulfill God's purpose in the Promised Land. Susan Amau
Pastor Tomás Córdova Zavaleta is a Peruvian missionary born to Jewish parents, who is in charge of the Work in Israel. He tells us about the wonders that the Lord has done in his more than 10 years there. He has been working together with his family and a group of brothers who have devoted their lives to the Lord. Where did the Work of the Worldwide Missionary Movement begin in Israel? We were first in Tel Aviv, then we moved to Ramla and Beer Sheva. We are now back in Tel Aviv. Nowadays, the Lord opens doors in different places for us to preach the Word of God. What is the situation of the Church in Israel? What are your biggest issues and difficulties? We face many difficulties, but there is also victory. Despite the circumstances, we do not focus much on the problems because that would mean a defeat. Israel is a country with no freedom of worship, so we cannot hold outdoor activities, preach in the streets or knock on doors to reach people; that is why work here is a bit different. You could say that what we lack is workers, men of God who are committed to the Work of the Lord. How many churches are there so far? There are two so far, in Ramla and Beer Sheva. We also have white fields in Tel Aviv and other locations, such as Ashkelon, in Jerusalem, in Jaffa and other cities that we have been able to access MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 46 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
MOVING FORWARD SLOWLY BUT
SURELY with the help of the Lord. Pastor Wilson Santillán and his wife recently arrived to help us in the Work. Here we need permanent support, since we go out to visit and evangelize in a very personal way. Because of the distance, we sometimes have to travel for many hours, and once there, the service must be held quite quickly so that we do not miss our transportation. Is there persecution? In a certain sense, there is. There is no freedom of worship and there is a lot of intolerance. When we have done outdoor activities, sometimes we have been
attacked. Once, for instance, I was sent to jail. But thanks to the Lord we remained firm and I was released. Is it legally forbidden to spread the Gospel? It is not, but authorities do as they please. For example, once they broke into a church while a baptism was being held, assaulted the faithful and accused the pastor. They went to the court and even won at trial. Another pastor received a present, and when his youngest son opened it, it was a bomb. How long were you imprisoned?
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Only three days. We submitted some documents and now everything is in order. We have not had any similar problem ever since, but we are still limited because we cannot do the work that is done everywhere else, such as outdoor activities. So we carry out our activities in a different way to reach the souls. We also visit hospitals and work with the elderly; when it comes to sick people, nobody forbids them to listen to the Gospel. How many people are there in the Church? Do you have access to the media, to a radio station or to some show?
We are around 50 people. We have visitors from other councils too. For now, we have no media, they are forbidden in the country. Evangelization takes place directly, face to face. When we talk about persecution, which sector persecutes you the most, the Government or some specific religious group? How does the Church face this climate of violence? We are mostly persecuted by religious groups. The problem is mainly warlike. To us, it is almost normal, it does not affect us much because we have assimi-
lated the situation. We stick together and come together to pray every day, so that there may be peace, as stated by the Bible in Psalm 122: 6-9: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.” Have you heard cases of Muslims converted to Christianity? Yes. We once met Saddam Hussein’s cousin. We were visiting some places, and we had the opportunity to preach to him in the street. He invited us over and we went to his house with our Bible in Arabic because we must preach to them in their language. I remember that he accepted Christ. It was such a victory. He is probably hidden now. There is also the case of Yasir Arafat´s bodyguard, who converted to Christianity, and many others of people that have accepted the Lord. Do you also preach in Hebrew? Has your life ever been in danger? If we have to preach in Hebrew, we preach in Hebrew. We have not been victims of deadly attacks, but once, while we were in a park, a mob of Arabs who supposedly were our friends, since we shared food with them, attacked us. They lost control and beat us with sticks and stones, but we came out uninjured thanks to the Lord. That happened 10 years ago. Do this kind of incidents happen nowadays? They do, yes. There is hatred and tenseness caused by the situation of Jerusalem. Before, terrorists used to come from the outside; now, they are insiders. The situation has become more complicated. One morning, for example, my wife was going to take the bus to go to work, but she got caught up in conversation with another lady, and minutes later the vehicle exploded. The Lord took care of her, but many people died that day. However, we are not scared, we continue to serve the Lord.
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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).
EVENT: NATIONAL CONVENTION. DATE: JULY 5-JULY 8. PLACE: MANAOS, BRAZIL.
INTEGRITY PLEASES GOD Manaus, capital of the state of Amazonas, hosted the 16th National Convention of the WMM in Brazil, in which the Brazilian faithful of the Work listened to the Good News. With the attendance of International Officers Rómulo Vergara and Luis Meza Bocanegra and Gerardo Martínez, Supervisor of the Southern Cone, the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Brazil held its 16th National Convention in Manaus, capital of the state of Amazonas. The event, held under the motto “Credibility 2018,” began with a service in which Rev. Vergara shared the message “For the Word of God to be glorified,” based on 2 Thessalonians 3:1. On the second day, a meeting of pastors took place in the main temple of the Work in Manaus. At the beginning of the event, Rev. Martínez, National Supervisor of the WMM in Chile, shared the speech “The Pastoral Family,” based on Proverbs 15:15-18. Afterwards, Rev. Meza Bocanegra, National Supervisor of the WMM in Peru, held a biblical speech based on Matthew 6: 25-26: “Leaving Concerns Behind in Pastoral Life.” The gathering of pastors ended with the intervention of Rev. Vergara, who shared the message “Integrity that pleases God,” based
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on Job 2:3. The preacher, who also conducts an evangelization work in Africa, strengthened the sound doctrine of the pastors of the Work. SACRED WORD
On the third day of the event, which was broadcast around the world by Bethel Television, Pastor Luis Meza Bocanegra preached the Gospel with the sermon “Let Us Not Give Up Our Privileges,” based on Hebrews 12:15-17. In the afternoon service, Pastor Marco Rau, National Officer of the
WMM in Peru, preached the Word of the Lord. Based on Mark 2:1-12, the servant of Jesus, who leads the congregation in the Peruvian city of Iquitos, delivered the message “As in Pentecost.” In the evening, Pastor Gerardo Martínez was the messenger of God. The Supervisor of the Southern Cone spoke about “What led Uzziah to failure,” based on 2 Chronicles 26:4-5 and 16. In his speech, he mentioned the fall of the king of Judah was a consequence of his disobedience to God.
The closing ceremony of the 16th National Convention, which was attended by a delegation from the WMM in Peru, began with a missionary service led by Pastor Vergara. Based on Acts 1: 8, the International Officer of the Work delivered the speech “You Will Receive Power from the Holy Spirit.” In the last service, workers were promoted in a special ceremony, and Pastor Meza Bocanegra shared the last message: “Let Us Not Lose Our Confidence and Patience,” based on Hebrews 10:32.
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EVENT: REGIONAL YOUTH FELLOWSHIP. DATE: JUNE 9-JUNE 10. PLACE: TEMUCO, CHILE.
YOUNG MAN, DO NOT DESPISE YOUR YOUTH The WMM in Chile held the Regional Youth Fellowship of the South Zone in Temuco. One of the messages was “A Young Man with a Dream Is a Young Man with a Purpose.” The Worldwide Missionary Movement in Chile held the Regional Youth Fellowship of the South Zone in Temuco, capital of the Araucanía Region and one of the main cities of Chile. The Word of the Lord was the focus of the event. Before the spiritual meeting, the WMM in Chile held a special worship in which Pastor Juan Carlos Saavedra announced the Good News of the Almighty with the message “Who Are We Looking Up to?,” based on 1 Samuel 16:7. At the opening, Pastor Hugo Fernández, leader of the congregation in the town of Tres Hijuelas, preached the Gospel through a message entitled “Young Man, Do Not Despise Your Youth,” based on 1 Timothy 4:12. DIVINE REVELATION
In the second preaching of the first service, Pastor Marcelo Quintana, National Officer of the Work in Chile and Presbyter of the South Zone, shared the message “A Life Devoted to the Service of God,” based on Romans 6:12-13. Hours later, in the second service, Cristian Sanchez, youth leader of the central temple in Santiago, had the privilege of evangelizing the Lord’s people. Based on Luke 13: 22-30, the worker developed the message “Strive to Enter In at the Strait Gate.” The following day, a question and answer workshop on biblical topics was led by Pastor Quintana. Afterwards, Sister Jennie Duarte presented the message “A Young Man with a Dream Is a Young Man with a Purpose,” based on Genesis 37:1-5.
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EVENT: NATIONAL CONVENTION OF WOMEN. DATE: JULY 6-JULY 8. PLACE: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA.
EDIFYING WITH CREDIBILITY The WMM in Argentina held its 2nd National Convention of Women, which was attended by believers who were fed on the Word of God. Under the motto “Let Us Edify with Credibility,” the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Argentina held its 2nd National Convention of Women in the Roberto Pando sports court, located in the city of Buenos Aires. Sisters Luz Mary Floriano and Clara Trujillo were the preachers of the Word. In the first service, Sister Floriano shared the message “Woman, Do Not Give Up,” based on Matthew 15:21-27. In her speech, the servant of God spoke about women from the Bible who did not surrender among the difficulties in their lives. On the second day, Servant Trujillo announced the Good News of the Lord with the message “Do Not Be Afraid,” based on 1 Kings 17:116. She pointed out that the faithful must ignore the fear that takes us away from the will of Jesus Christ. WOMEN OF FAITH
Later, in the night worship, Sister Floriano preached to the attendeed. In her speech, entitled “Woman Passionate for Jesus” and based on John 20:11-16, the evangelist exhorted the sisters to become women passionate for the Lord. In the fourth service, Sister Trujillo carried out her last preaching of the Word. Based on Proverbs 14:1
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and 30, the worker held the sermon “Edifying with credibility,” and invited the faithful to use every opportunity in their life. The 2nd National Convention of Women of the WMM in Argentina, which was also attended by the Federal Police, ended with a service in which Sister Floriano shared the Gospel through the message “The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit,” based on Joel 2:28-29.
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events EVENT: EVANGELISTIC CAMPAIGN. DATE: JULY 16-JULY 17. PLACE: PASCUALES, GUAYAQUIL.
IT IS TIME TO SEEK CHRIST The Good News of the Lord was shared in Pascuales, a town in Guayaquil. It was also announced that the WMM in Ecuador will soon have its own convention center. With the attendance of a thousand believers, the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Ecuador held an evangelistic campaign in the town of Pascuales, located in Guayaquil. Rev. Eugenio Masías, National Supervisor of the WMM in Ecuador, preached the Word of God. The event, whose motto was “It Is Time to Seek Christ,” took place at the sports court of Pascuales and was attended by the faithful, workers and pastors from the churches of Zone 5 of the WMM in Ecuador. The event also brought together followers of the Lord from other denominations. In the worship of the first day, Pastor Masías announced that the Work of the Almighty in Ecuador bought in June a piece of land almost 5 acres in La Joya, Guayaquil, where it expects to build a modern convention center. UNBREAKABLE FAITH
In his preaching of the Gospel, the servant of the Almighty shared the message “Why Do Souls Get Lost?,” based on John 3:16-20 and 36, Romans 2:5 and Ephesians 2:8-9. In his sermon, Rev. Masías said, “We all have a soul and we must take care of it so that it does not get lost. The salvation of the soul is the reason why Christ came to Earth.” At the beginning of the second day, an event aimed at children was held: “Children with Jesus.” The workers of the WMM in Ecuador shared biblical teachings and organized games about faith for about a hundred children. Later, in the night service, Pastor Masías shared the Word of Jesus Christ with the attendees and delved into the messages of the Book of Revelation. Afterwards, a video was played with images of how the end of times might be.
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EVENT: RETREAT OF WORKERS AND PASTORS. DATE: MAY 31-JUNE 2. PLACE: RÍO GRANDE, PUERTO RICO.
PASTORS AND WORKERS WITH CREDIBILITY The Retreat of Workers and Pastors of the WMM in Puerto Rico was held with the special participation of Rev. Clemente Vergara, International Officer of the Work. To strengthen the faith of the servants of the Lord, the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Puerto Rico held its Retreat of Workers and Pastors in the municipality of Río Grande, located in the north of the island. Rev. Clemente Vergara, International Officer of the WMM and Missionary Supervisor in Africa, was the instrument chosen by Christ to preach his Word. Along with his wife, Sister Gladys de Vergara, the missionary used the opportunity to share his biblical knowledge. At the opening ceremony, Pastor Vergara spoke about the life of the prophet Elijah, based on 2 Kings 4:8-11. In his message, he emphasized that we have been redeemed by the grace and mercy of the Almighty to be prepared according to Jesus Christ’s vision. DIVINE MESSAGES
On the second day, the minister of the Almighty, who sows the seed of the Gospel in Africa, read 1 Timothy 1:12-14 and Acts 20:24. In his preaching, he encouraged the faithful to rise from the dead.
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Later, in the night worship, a missionary service took place, and Sister Gladys de Vergara invited the attendees to listen to the voice of the Lord, who is always looking for workers to spread the faith all
over the world. In addition, Pastor Vergara told about his experience in Africa. At the end of the Retreat of Workers and Pastors of the WMM in Puerto Rico, the International
Officer of shared the reading of Joshua 24:15 and Genesis 18:19 and described how to be a pure, holy and useful instrument of the Lord willing to contribute to Christianity.
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EVENT: REGIONAL FELLOWSHIP. DATE: FROM MAY 31 TO JUNE 2. / PLACE: GRAND RAPIDS, UNITED STATES.
Under the motto “Moving Forward with Power,” based on Acts 5:12-16, the Worldwide Missionary Movement in the United States held the Regional Fellowship of Zone 4 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Rev. Arturo Hernández, National Supervisor of the WMM in the United States, led the three-day event, in which the followers of the Almighty participated in worships and services that meant a great blessing. The presence of the Lord became evident through miracles and healings. On the first day, Rev. David Obando, National Officer of the Work in the U.S., shared the message “From Lodebar to the King’s Table.” Based on
MOVING FORWARD WITH POWER The WMM in the United States held the Regional Fellowship of Zone 4 in Grand Rapids. Thirty brothers descended into the baptismal waters. 2 Samuel 9, the servant of the Almighty urged the faithful to reach the needy and forgotten and preach the Word so that they can be saved by Christ. MESSAGES OF FAITH
On the second day, Rev. Manuel Santiago, National Treasurer of the WMM in the
United States, shared the message entitled “Obedience Generates Power,” based on Luke 5:1-8 and focused on the importance of obedience to Jesus. That same day, a water baptism was held. Thirty brothers, mostly teenagers, received the sacrament established by Jesus Christ in the Sacred Scriptures. The Work is enlarging the flock of the Savior with new members willing to preach the Word. At the closing ceremony of the event, Sister Olga Cabrera, Secretary of the WMM in the United States, shared the message “Fire as an Answer,” based on 2 Chronicles 7, and urged believers to seek and be filled with the fire of God to fight Satan.
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EVENT: EVANGELISTIC CAMPAIGN. DATE: JUNE 12-JUNE 14. PLACE: JOJUTLA, MÉXICO.
HUNGER OF GOD OR HUNGER OF THE WORLD
Members from the WMM in Mexico visited the city of Jojutla, in the state of Morelos. The evangelistic campaign was led by Rev. Álvaro Garavito.
To carry a message of hope and faith, the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Mexico held an evangelistic campaign in the city of Jojutla, which was hit by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake on September 19, 2017. The event was attended by Rev. Álvaro Garavito, International Officer of the Work. At the opening of the event, Pastor Garavito shared the message “Hunger of God or Hunger of the World,” based on 1 John 2:15-16. Then, on the second day, the servant of the Almighty announced the Good News with the message “Cast in the Way,” based on Luke 10:30. At the closing ceremony of the event that took place in the state of Morelos, where Christianity is gaining more and more ground, Pastor Garavito preached the Gospel of the Lord once again. Based on Luke 18, he shared the message “The Features of a Man Who Has Been Set Free.”
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EVENT: NATIONAL YOUTH CONVENTION DATE: JULY 5-JULY 8. PLACE: SUCRE, BOLIVIA.
BASED ON AND DIFFERENT IN CHRIST With the presence of Colombian missionary Alonso Zambrano, the WMM in Bolivia held its National Youth Convention in Sucre. Sucre, the constitutional capital of Bolivia, hosted the National Youth Convention of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in that country. Missionary Alonso Zambrano, from the WMM in Colombia, was the preacher of the event. On the first day of the event, whose motto was “Based on and Different in Christ,” Pastor Zambrano shared the message “Brokenness.” On the second day, in the morning, he presented the sermon “Character with Total Righteousness.” Hours later, in the third service, servant Zambrano preached again to the faithful of the Work. The following day, in the morning worship, Rev. Zambrano’s wife, Sister Martha Garzón shared God’s message. In the night service, the Colombian preacher announced the Good News with the message “Sacrifice Your Isaac.” At the closing ceremony of the National Youth Convention of the WMM in Bolivia, Rev. Zambrano shared the message of once again God.
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Other events
ECUADOR
PERU
GUATEMALA
Fellowship of Zone 2
Fasting in the Ancón II Prison
Fellowship of Presbytery 17
On June 22 and June 23, the WMM in Ecuador held the Fellowship of Zone 2 in the city of Quevedo, the largest and most populated city in the province of Los Ríos. More than 300 faithful gathered to praise and pray the Lord. The preacher of the Word of God was Rev. Olimpo Ordóñez that, based on the sound doctrine promoted by the Work of God, shared the message of Jesus Christ for his followers in Ecuador. The meeting of faith, broadcast by the media of the WMM in Ecuador, was attended by Rev. Rodolfo Cabrera, Presbyter of Zone 2, who congratulated the organizers for promoting the spread of the Gospel.
Faithful to its commitment to preach the Gospel to every creature of the world, the WMM in Peru held on July 16 a fasting in the women’s block of the Ancón II prison, in Lima. More than fifty inmates showed their love for the Creator. The group of inmates, with the permission of the Peruvian authorities, had the opportunity to share and seek God. With the guidance and support of servants from the Work of Christ, they feel at the feet of Jesus, as stated in the Holy Scriptures.
The church in Puente II, a neighborhood located in the heart of the department of Izabal, held on June 24 the Fellowship of Presbytery 17 of the WMM in Guatemala. The meeting gathered believers from northeastern Guatemala. In the event, held under the motto “The Importance of the Fire of God in Our Lives,” the people of God listened to the Gospel of Christ through Rev. Juan Chamalé. The servant of the Lord shared with them the Word of God with a message of hope and salvation.
MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 64 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
EL SALVADOR Visit of the Supervisor of Central America In order to strengthen the brand new congregation of downtown San Salvador, Rev. Álvaro Garavito, International Officer of the WMM and Supervisor of Central America, visited El Salvador on May 23 and May 24. As part of his inspection of the growth of the Work, Pastor Garavito met with the members of the WMM in El Salvador to learn about the progress of Christianity in this Central American country with more than seven million people. On his first day, in the morning, the servant of the Lord joined the workers, pastors and leaders of the churches and temples of the eastern and central El Salvador. Then, in the afternoon, he led a worship in which he shared the message “A True Encounter with God.” The following day, servant Garavito called the representatives of the churches of the western, paracentral and central regions of El Salvador. Later, in the evening, he led a service in which he shared the message “Permanent Conquerors,” based on Romans 8:37.
JAPAN Evangelistic Campaign in Hamamatsu To spread the Gospel of God, the WMM in Japan held an outdoor evangelistic campaign on July 12 at Hamamatsu Station, located in the west of Shizuoka Prefecture. A group of brothers of the Work gathered to preach the Word of the Lord. The faithful of the WMM in Japan sang Christian praises and songs, and shared the message of Jesus Christ with the residents of Hamamatsu. Thanks to the Holy Spirit, the activity, held to promote the sound doctrine, was a great success, because a large number of people heard about the Savior for the first time.
EQUATORIAL GUINEA Missionary Worship in Bata On June 24, the WMM in Equatorial Guinea held a missionary service in Bikuy, a neighborhood located in the capital city of Bata. The event aimed to pray for the future of the workers, pastors and leaders of the Work of God who preach the Gospel in Africa. The preacher was Rev. Benjamín Engono, who shared the message “Tell Them What Jesus Did for You.” There was a parade of children carrying banners with the names of the African countries in which the WMM is present.
MADAGASCAR
URUGUAY
Children Worship in Andavamamba
Fellowship of Churches
With the attendance of more than fifty little believers, the WMM in Madagascar held a children worship on July 7, in the neighborhood of Andavamamba, located in the district of Antananarivo Renivohitra. Sister Analicia Roggeband was the preacher of the Gospel. The service was specifically aimed at the children of the Work in Madagascar, and different activities, games, songs and praises were developed. Sister Roggeband shared with the children the message “My Son, Give Me Your Heart,” in which she urged them to trust in Jesus Christ.
On June 17, the WMM in Uruguay held a special event in Pando, a city located in the department of Canelones. The event gathered the churches of the Work of God established in Uruguay. The fellowship of churches, held under the motto “Don’t Look Back,” allowed the Uruguayan faithful to worship God. Rev. Carlos Ríos shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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Bethel Television, the Worldwide Missionary Movement channel, broadcasts the Word of God’s message through cultural and educational programs from Lima - Peru to the world by 6 satellites and the Internet. August 2018 / Impacto evangelistic
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THE GLORY OF GOD WILL BE SEEN IN PERU From September
6 to 16
CON VENTION th IN PERU
MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 68 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
CREDI BILITY 2018
Jesus Changes you
Salvation Liberation Divine healing