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Edition for EUROPE

THE MAGAZINE THAT EDIFIES YOUR LIFE

May 2019 / Edition 784

evangelistic www.impactoevangelistico.net

DEVOTIONAL

SEND ME

LIFE STORY

THE REPENTED GANGSTER WOMAN

THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING A MOTHER

A question with a categorical answer

WHAT

IS EVIL?

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE

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EDITORIAL

LET US POSSESS IT Rev. José Arturo Soto B. International President of the WMM

“And they returned from searching of the land after forty days. And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel… And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great… And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.” Numbers 13:25-30.

T

he ten spies convinced the people that the en-

the entire land, Joshua saw the walls of Jericho fall. This

deavor was foolish and doomed to fail, and so

man who trusted God did not make a war against those

they missed a big opportunity. God punished the ten

walls, he only obeyed what God had told him.

spies, who died of a plague on the same day. God said:

God also rewarded Caleb, who said to Joshua: “And

“Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning

now, behold, the Lord hath kept me alive… now, lo, I

which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb

am this day fourscore and five years old. As yet I am as

the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. But

strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me:

your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them

as my strength was then, even so is my strength now,

will I bring in, and they shall know the land which

for war, both to go out, and to come in. Now therefore

ye have despised. But as for you, your carcases, they

give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that

shall fall in this wilderness” (Numbers 14:30-32).

day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims

All those over twenty died. That was the actual de-

were there, and that the cities were great and fenced:

feat. They marked their paths with death because they

if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able

did not believe in the life that God had promised them.

to drive them out, as the Lord said” ( Joshua 14:10-12).

Joshua led the conquest of Canaan; he was the general of

Dear reader, God rewards when there is faith, so

the forces of Israel who entered the Promised Land; he

fight the good fight. If you have a problem, just believe

commanded the armies of the people of God and divid-

that God will give you the victory, not tomorrow, today.

ed the land. At least seven military campaigns led him to

The Bible says, “we are more than conquerors” (Romans

a great victory. Although he did not take possession of

8:37). Amen.

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evangelistic Founder Director: Rev. Luis M. Ortiz MAY 2019 / EDITION N° 784 (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. 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

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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

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• The inspiration of the Holy Scriptures: 2 Timothy 3:15-17, 2 Peter 1:19-21.

• The Adorable Godhead in Three Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Matthew 3:16-17, 17: 1-5; 28:19, John 17: 5, 24, 26, 16:32, 14:16, 23, 18:5, 6, 2 Peter 1:17,18; Revelation 5.

• Salvation by Faith in Christ: Luke 24:47, John 3:16, Romans 10:13, Titus 2:11, 3:5-7.

• The New Birth: John 3:3, 1 Peter 1:23, 1 John 3:9.

• Justification by Faith: Romans 5:1, Titus 3:7.

• Water Baptism by Inmersion, as commanded by Christ: Matthew 28:19, Acts 8:36-39.

• The Baptism in the Holy Spirit subsequent to salvation, speaking in tongues according to: Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4, 8, 2:4.

• Divine Healing: Isaiah 53:4, Matthew 8:16, 17, Mark 16:18, James 5:14, 15.

• The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11.

• The Fruits of the Holy Spirit: Galatians 5:22-26.

• Sanctification: 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 5:23, Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 1:15, 16, 1 John 2:6.

• Ministry and Evangelization: Mark 16:15-20, Romans 10:15.

• Tithing and Maintenance of the Work: Genesis 14:20, 28:22, Leviticus 27:30, Numbers 18:21-26, Malachi 3:7-10, Matthew 10:10; 23:23.

• The Rapture of the Church: Romans 8:23, 1 Corinthians 15:5152, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.

• The Second Coming of Christ: Zechariah 14:1-9, Matthew 24:30, 31; 2 Thessalonians 1:7, Titus 2:13, Jude 14, 15.

• The Millennial Kingdom: Isaiah 2:1-4, 11:5-10, Zechariah 9:10, Revelation 19:20, 20:3-10.

• New Heavens and New Earth: Isaiah 65:17, 66:22, 2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 21:1.

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DEVOTIONAL

SUMMARY Search us on:

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6.- Cover WHY IS THERE SUCH THING AS EVIL? God let us go through certain painful circumstances for a reason, but this reason may be beyond our understanding. That is why He calls us to trust Him. 14. Infographics CONSEQUENCES OF EVIL IN THE WORLD Today, humanity is paying the consequences of its bad actions.

16. International POWEHI, THE BLACK HOLE The world’s first photograph of a black hole, located more than 50 million light-years from Earth, has been revealed.

18. Science JAMES, THE DARWIN SKEPTIC This world-class scientist has revolutionized one of the most challenging fields of science.

22. Woman THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING A MOTHER Some feminists belittle motherhood as if it was an obstacle to women’s goals and self-fulfillment. Nothing could be further from the truth. Mothers play an essential role in family and society.

24. Music MASTER, LET ME WALK WITH THEE The hymn highlights that the service to the Lord must be based on an intimate communication with the Redeemer.

26. Literature A SURVEY OF OLD TESTAMENT INTRODUCTION

This precious book addresses topics such as canonicity, historicity, inspiration, textual problems, higher criticism, among others.

30. Hero of faith THE SPANISH REFORMER Cipriano de Valera, first editor of the so-called Bear Bible, contributed to the expansion of Christianity in the 16th century.

34. Life Story THE REPENTED GANGSTER He became part of a dangerous gang in Honduras and spent ten years in prison, left behind by everyone. But one day he found salvation.

40. Interview “LET’S NOT NEGLECT NEW GENERATIONS” Pastor Carlos Guerra, international officer of the WMM, urges leaders not to lose God's direction and to follow the example of those who have led the Work.

42. Apologetics CHRISTIAN SCIENCE Its followers argue that this so-called “science” interprets and proves God’s laws.

44.- Devotional SEND ME 46.- Devotional MARY 48.- Devotional JOCHEBED 50. Event THE EVANGELIZING WORK DONE BY THE WMM IN THE WORLD 66. Letters LETTERS FROM OUR READERS

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COVER NOTE

WHY IS THERE SUCH THING AS EVIL?

Under which criteria something is judged to be evil in the first place? How does one judge some things to be evil and other things not to be evil? What is the moral measuring stick by which people and events are morally appraised? By what process is evil distinguished from good and vice versa?

Ron Rhodes

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COVER NOTE

Evil is the absence or privation of something good. Rot, for example, can only exist as long as the tree exists. Rust on a car and a decaying carcass illustrate the same point. Evil exists as a corruption of something good; it is a privation and does not have essence by itself1. Norman Geisler tells us, “Evil is like a wound in an arm or moth-holes in a garment. It exists only in another but not in itself.”2 Certainly if God made no claims to being good, then the existence of evil is easier explained. If God was lim-

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ited in power and was simply not strong enough to withstand evil, then the existence of evil is easier explained.

If evil were just an illusion that had no reality, then the problem does not really exist in the first place. But evil is not an illusion. It is real.3 Today we face the reality of both moral evil (evil committed by free moral agents, like war, crime, cruelty, class struggles, discrimination, slavery, and various injustices) and natural evil (involving such things as hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and the like).

Today we face the reality of both moral evil (evil committed by free moral agents, like war, crime, cruelty, class struggles, discrimination, slavery, and various injustices) and natural evil (involving such things as hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and the like).

Prominent thinkers like David Hume, H.G. Wells, and Bertrand Russell have concluded, on the basis of their observations of suffering and evil, that the God of the Bible does not exist.4 Hume put it succinctly when he wrote of God: “Is he willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is impotent. Is he able, but not willing?

Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing: whence then is evil?�5 As many thinkers have pointed out, if one is going to claim there is evil in the world, one must ask by what crite-

ria something is judged to be evil in the first place?6 How does one judge some things to be evil and other things not to be evil? What is the moral measuring stick by which people and events are morally appraised? By what process is evil distinguished from good and vice versa?

The reality is that it is impossible to distinguish evil from good unless one has an infinite reference point that is absolutely good. The infinite reference point for distinguishing good from evil can only be found in the person of God, for God alone can exhaust the definition

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COVER NOTE

of “absolutely good.” If God does not exist, then there are no moral absolutes by which one has the right to judge something (or someone) as being evil. Seen in this light, the reality of evil actually requires the existence of God, rather than disproving it.

THE ORIGIN OF EVIL

The original creation was “very good” (Genesis 1:31).

There was no sin, no evil, and no death. Yet today, the world is permeated with sin, evil, and death. What brought it about? Scripture indicates that the turn downward came the moment Adam and Eve used their Godgiven free wills and volitionally chose to disobey God (Genesis 3).

Some people wonder why God could have not created man in such a way that he would never sin, thus avoiding evil altogether. The fact is, such a scenario would mean that man is no longer truly man. He would no longer have the capacity to make choices and to freely love. This scenario would require that God create robots who act only in programmed ways. That is why God gave Adam and all other human beings a free will.

Ever since Adam and Eve made evil actual on that

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Some people wonder why God could have not created man in such a way that he would never sin, thus avoiding evil altogether. The fact is, such a scenario would mean that man is no longer truly man. He would no longer have the capacity to make choices and to freely love. first occasion in the Garden of Eden, a sin nature has been passed on to every man and woman (Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:22). We must not forget that we are living in a fallen world, and because of that, we are subject to disasters in the world of nature that would not have occurred had man not rebelled against God in the beginning (Romans 8:20-22).7 GOD’S PURPOSE

Too often people fall into the trap of thinking that because God hasn’t dealt with evil yet, He is not dealing with it at all.

One day in the future, Christ will return, strip power away from the wicked, and hold all men and women accountable for the things they did during their time on earth (Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 20:11-15). Justice will ultimately prevail. Those who enter eternity without having trusted in Christ for salvation will understand just how effectively God has dealt with the problem of evil.

Should God not do away with all evil immediately?

Paul Little has pointed out, “If God were to stamp out evil today, he would do a complete job. His action would have to include our lies and personal impurities, our lack of love, and our failure to do good. Suppose God were to decree that at midnight tonight all evil would be removed from the universe, who of us would still be here after midnight?”8 Even though God’s ultimate solution to the problem of evil awaits the future, as I have argued, God has even now taken steps to insure that evil does not run utterly amok. Indeed, God has given us human government to withstand lawlessness (Romans 13:1-,7). God founded the church to be a light in the midst of the darkness, to strengthen God’s people, and even to help restrain the growth of wickedness in the world through the power of

the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:5; 1 Timothy 3:15). God has in His Word given us a moral standard to guide us and keep us on the right path (Psalm 119). He has given us the family unit to bring stability to society (Proverbs 22:15; 23:13). And much more!9 Is evil just an illusion? Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, argued that matter, evil, sickness and death are unreal and are illusions of the mortal mind.

Unity School of Christianity writer Emily Cady likewise wrote: “Evil does not exist ... Pain, sickness, poverty, old age and death are not real, and they have no power over me.”10 Ernest Holmes, founder of Religious Science, wrote, “All apparent evil is the result of ignorance, and will disappear to the degree that it is no longer thought about, believed in, or indulged in”11.

If evil is just an illusion, however, then why fight it?

Even though Mary Baker Eddy said the evils of bodily sickness and death are illusions, it is a historical fact that in her declining years she was under a doctor’s care, received morphine injections to ease her pain, wore eyeglasses, had teeth extractions, and eventually died, thus “giving the lie” to all she professed to believe and teach12.

When people claim that evil is an illusion, I think it

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Sometimes we humans wonder why God allows us to go through certain painful circumstances. But just because we find it difficult to imagine what reasons God couldhave does not mean that no such reason exists.

That is why God calls us to trust Him (Hebrews 11)

is fair game to ask them if they lock their front door at night. (If they do, I ask them why). Do they go to the dentist? (Why? Tooth pain is an illusion, right?) If evil is an illusion, then such things are completely unnecessary.

Jesus certainly believed in the reality of evil. In the Lord’s Prayer, he did not teach us to pray “Deliver us from the illusion of evil”, but taught us to pray: “Deliver us from evil.”

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For us to accept the view of Christian Science that evil is an illusion, we would have to deny our own senses and personal experiences. We read in 1 John 1:1 that John and the apostles spoke of that “which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched, this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.” The same senses that so

COVER NOTE have does not mean that no such reason exists. From our finite human perspective, we are often only able to see a few threads of the great tapestry of life and the will of God. We do not have the full picture. That is why God calls us to trust Him (see Hebrews 11). As the apostle Paul put it, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18; see also 2 Corinthians 4:17; Hebrews 12:2; 1 Peter 1:6-7).

And let us not forget that even when we encounter suffering, God has the ability as the sovereign Ruler of the universe to bring good out of it (Romans 8:28). An example of this is the life of Joseph. His brothers were wrongly jealous of him (Genesis 37:11), hated him (Genesis 37:4,5,8), wanted to murder him (Genesis 37:20), cast him into a pit (Genesis 37:24), and sold him into slavery (Genesis 37:28). Yet later Joseph could say to his brothers, “God sent me before you to preserve life” (Genesis 45:5), and “you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (Genesis 50:20).

The apostle Paul certainly did not like it when he was put into prison. But God had a providential purpose in allowing it to happen. After all, while in prison Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon (see Eph. 3:1; Phil. 1:7; Col. 4:10; and Philemon 9).

God very clearly brought good out of Paul’s suffering.

Sometimes the “good” that God brings out of our suffering involves a positive change in our character. Joni Eareckson Tada, who broke her neck in a swimming accident and became quadriplegic, said her tragedy drew her much closer to God. She is even quoted as saying she would rather be in a wheelchair with God than be able to walk without God.

convincingly testify to the resurrected Christ testify to the reality of evil in our world.

TRUSTING GOD

Sometimes we humans wonder why God allows us to go through certain painful circumstances. But just because we find it difficult to imagine what reasons God could

NOTES 1. Ken Boa and Larry Moody, I'M GLAD YOU ASKED (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor Books, 1994), p. 129 2. Norman L. Geisler, BAKER ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1999), p. 220.

3. Norman L. Geisler and Ronald M. Brooks, WHEN SKEPTICS ASK (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1990), p. 59-60.

4. Ken Boa and Larry Moody, I'M GLAD YOU ASKED (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor Books, 1994), p. 122.

5. Millard J. Erickson, INTRODUCING CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1996), pp. 138-39.

6. Robert Morey, THE NEW ATHEISM AND THE EROSION OF FREEDOM (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers, 1986), p. 153.

7. Rick Rood, THE PROBLEM OF EVIL: HOW CAN A GOOD GOD ALLOW EVIL? (1996), Probe Ministries website: www.probe.org.

8. Paul E. Little, KNOW WHY YOU BELIEVE (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1975), p. 81.

9. Dan Story, DEFENDING YOUR FAITH (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1992), pp. 176-177.

10. Mary Baker Eddy, MISCELLANEOUS WRITINGS (Christian Science Publishing Society, Boston, MA, 1896), p. 27.

11. Emily Cady, LESSONS IN TRUTH (Unity School of Christianity, Kansas City, MO, 1941), p. 35.

12. Ernest Holmes, WHAT RELIGIOUS SCIENCE TEACHES (Science of Mind Publications, Los Angeles, CA, 1974), p. 13.

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ALCOHOLISM: More than SUICIDE:

800

thousand

people commit suicide every year, half of which in developed countries.

Source: WHO

3

million

people died as a result of harmful use of alcohol in 2016.

Source: WHO

DEPRESSION: About

300

ABORTION: Approximately

25

million

14

million

worldwide people suffer from depression.

Source: WHO

abortions are perfomed every year.

Source: PAHO

WORLDWIDE MISSIONARY MOVEMENT America • Europe • Oceania • Africa • Asia

DRUG ADDICTION: Some

275 million

people worldwide, which is roughly 5.6% of the global aged 15-64 years, used drugs at least once during 2016.

Source: UNODC

NEW DISEASES: The World Health Organization

(WHO)

has identified the top 8 emerging diseases that are likely to cause severe outbreaks in the near future, among which are the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever and Ebola.

DIVORCE: In 2007,

102,341

couples in Spain alone decided to get a divorce or interrupt their cohabitation.

CHILD ABANDONMENT: Around

400 million

abandoned children live on the streets of the main cities around the world.

Source: Child Abandonment Project

CONSEQUENCES OF EVIL IN THE WORLD: Since man inhabited the world and committed the first sin, the consequences of evil triggered a series of curses, which affected not only people from those times but also the subsequent generations that, instead of mending their ways, became more and more wicked. Now we see humanity suffer the consequences of its bad actions.

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INTERNATIONAL

POWEHI, THE BLACK HOLE The scientific community is in awe. The world’s first photograph of a black hole, located more than 50 million light-years from Earth, has been revealed.

This is direct evidence that black holes exist and the confirmation of Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity.

The famous picture shows bright matter falling into the black hole, more precisely into the event horizon, which is the dark region from which no light can escape.

This was explained by Spanish astronomer José Luis Gómez, a researcher from the Andalusia Institute of Astrophysics (IAA) who contributed to the development of one of the algorithms that allowed taking the photograph.

Through an international collaboration for the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT), astronomers have captured the first-ever image of a black hole, that was unveiled on Wednesday, April 10.

The telescope array collected 5,000 trillion of bytes in a span of two weeks, which was processed through supercomputers so that the scientists could retrieve the images.

As noted by the Spanish astronomer, a bright ring is shown in the picture because the matter falling into the black hole is compressed. “The friction causes the matter

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to heat up and generate radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum,” explained Gómez.

In the meantime, the dark region captures all the light inside. And such darkness can only be seen when outlined by the matter that is falling into the black hole.

This dark circle surrounded by a bright ring is referred to as the black hole’s shadow.

When talking about the red hues, Gómez clarified that “it is not a real color, it was added because the image has been taken at wavelengths that our eyes cannot see.”

EINSTEIN’S THEORY

The circular shape of the matter falling into the black hole is consistent with the predictions of Einstein’s Relativity Theory, according to Gómez.

Some other theories posit that if gravity behaved differently from the General Theory of Relativity, the shape would be flatter, similar to a rugby ball.

In the words of the astronomer, the shape is spherical because gravity depends only on the distance to the

HAWAIIAN NAME Two of the eight telescopes used to capture the photograph are located in Hawaii. The astronomers involved with the project collaborated with renowned Hawaiian language and cultural practitioner Dr. Larry Kimura for the naming of the black hole. “Powehi,” meaning “embellished dark source of unending creation,” is a name sourced from the Kumulipo, an 18th-century chant that describes the creation of the Hawaiian universe. “Pō,” which means “profound dark source of unending creation,” is a concept emphasized and repeated in the Kumulipo, while “wehi” (or “wehiwehi”) means “honored with embellishments” and is one of many descriptions of “pō” in the chant.

WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE? The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) defines black holes as a place in space where

gravity pulls so much that even light cannot get out. The gravity is so strong because matter has been squeezed into a tiny space.

Black holes are invisible. Because no light can get out, people cannot see black holes. However, space telescopes with special instruments can help find black holes. NASA explains that they can observe the behavior of material and stars that are very close to black holes.

How big are black holes? Not every black hole is massive in the cosmos. The smallest ones are known as primordial black holes.

Scientists believe this type of black hole is as small as a single atom but with the mass of a large mountain. The most common type of medium-sized black holes is called “stellar.” The mass of a stellar black hole can be up to 20 times greater than the mass of the sun.

The largest black holes are called “supermassive.” These black holes have masses greater than 1 million suns combined.

object, and not on the direction you are. This same phenomenon explains why the planets and stars are spherical.

The same applied to black holes, according to Gómez, “but gravity is so intense that produces this hole in space and time, but the shape is still circular.”

The Spanish scientist explained that when the black hole rotates at maximum speed, the circular shape is slightly flattened, but this is also predicted by the Relativity Theory.

“The image revealed yesterday does not have sufficient resolution to allow us to determine whether there is actually a slight deviation in the circularity that may be associated with rotation, but we knew already that it had to be fundamentally circular.”

THE PHOTOGRAPH

There are different ways to take a photograph. Smartphones cameras, for example, capture light photons in pixels.

In the case of the black hole, “the photo is obtained thanks to an interference pattern, which through a perfectly known mathematical method gives an image using what is called a Fourier transform.”

“Perhaps the most visual example is that this technique – called interferometry – is also applied in medicine. A CT (computed tomography) uses this same technique we used for obtaining this image,” he added.

“It is a real image. But our eyes do not have the resolution of instruments,” he explained. “We cannot see it because it is very far away. To give you an idea, we would need to have eyes that were able to read a newspaper that someone holds in Paris while sitting in New York.”

The supermassive black hole is located over 320 quintillion miles away in the heart of the Messier 87 galaxy.

(*) Based on information retrieved from the Internet.

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SCIENCE

JAMES TOUR, DARWIN SKEPTIC Jerry Bergman

His life-long research has helped him understand major scientific problems. Born and raised a Jew in New York City, he became a Christian in college, and this worldview has played a significant role in his family life and successful career as a scientist.

Professor James M. Tour teaches chemistry, computer science, mechanical engineering, and materials science. A renowned leader in his field, he is the premier scientist at Rice University, and his work is often cited in leading scientific journals. After Nobel Laureate Rick Smalley’s untimely death, the prolific Tour has successfully carried on Smalley’s groundbreaking nanotechnology research. This world-class scientist has revolutionized one of the most challenging fields of science.

Of the more than 720,000 scientists who published chemistry papers in academic journals during the last decade, Tour was among the ten most-cited authors in the world. He authored 135 papers during this time, and the Thomson-Reuters list of research most referenced by other scientists in their scientific or professional work ranked him in the top ten.

Tour’s scientific achievement “spans an incredible breadth, from building tiny cars and trucks out of molecules, to making computer memory from graphite, building tiny missiles that carry drugs to tumors and trying to cure radiation sickness.” Wade Adams, director of Rice’s Smalley Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, noted that Tour is an “incredibly creative … chemist. He makes molecules dance.”

HIS BACKGROUND

Tour’s B.S. in chemistry is from Syracuse University, and his Ph.D. in organic chemistry is from Purdue Universi-

ty. He completed his postdoctoral work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1986–1987) and at Stanford University (1987–1988). As a student, he “just loved organic chemistry” and spent countless hours writing chemical structures and dreaming up methods that could be used to synthesize his creations.

After he graduated from Purdue, Tour rapidly became a leading organic chemist, synthesizing molecules with important applications. Tour was then a professor at the university of South Carolina and, as a result of his enormous success, offers and counter-offers soon poured in. He ended up at Rice as one of the world’s first academic nanotechnologists.

HIS CHRISTIAN TESTIMONY

Professor Tour credits his success to his Christian faith.

Colleagues say that Tour, a Messianic Jew who attends West University Baptist Church, does not push his faith on others but will freely discuss it if asked.

Tour's scientific achievement “spans an incredible breadth, from building tiny cars and trucks out of molecules, to making computer memory from graphite (…)”

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When he speaks about his Christianity, Tour becomes emotive: “I believe, fundamentally, that God creates us all.” Although fully committed to his scientific work, “he is passionate about God.” Tour derives his inspiration from deep faith.

When he speaks about his Christianity, Tour becomes emotive: “I believe, fundamentally, that God creates us all.” Although fully committed to his scientific work, “he is passionate about God. In a world that increasingly associates scientists with atheism or agnosticism, Tour derives his inspiration from deep faith.”

Although he puts in 12 hours a day at the chemistry lab, he is careful not to neglect his family. His family devotions begin at 5:30 am and last until 6:00 am, when he leaves for the university. His children have remarked on more than one occasion that this devotional time was one of their most important activities in growing up.

He is also active in his ministry at Rice University, both by example and activity. For example, he purchases full-page ads in the local paper about the message of Christ. Also, from the time he was in college, he and his wife have hosted a weekly meal in their home to which they’ve invited some 30 to 40 students at a time to discuss the scriptures and apologetics.

HIS CONCERNS ABOUT DARWINISM

Professor Tour has also been open about his scientific concerns about evolution, noting that “I stand in awe of God because of what he has done through his creation.

My faith has been increased through my research.”

He also observed that, in recent years, a growing number of scientists have raised significant issues that challenge various aspects of neo-Darwinian theory and thus he concluded, “The best science education will present students with both the strengths and weaknesses of neo-Darwinian theory.”

Although a professor for over two decades, he has only recently seen the level of antagonism to his views on evolution escalate. He stresses that we should research this theory. He once signed a statement that said there are enough questions about evolution to warrant further investigation, an act that has caused him some problems.

Source: https://creation.com

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WOMAN

THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING A MOTHER Eliseo Aquino

In recent years, some feminist organizations have belittled motherhood as if it was an obstacle to women’s goals and self-fulfillment. Nothing could be further from the truth. Mothers play an essential role in family and society.

In a Bible teaching called “Mothers that Leave a Legacy,” Sister Carmen Valencia de Martínez describes the important role that mothers play for God. “A good mother is the purest representation of love. In the Bible, God’s love is compared to mother’s love because she gives without expecting anything in return, and God values her efforts,” she said.

“Don’t you ever stop explaining your children, whether boys or girls, about the importance of being a mother, because this message will pass on to the generations to come,” she also explained.

Being a mother is more than just procreating; giving birth is the first step to hold the title of mother. To be worthy of being called a mother, we need to make sacrifices, as it is a 24/7 job. A mother plays different roles; she is a counselor, a nutritionist, a teacher, a friend, a nurse, etc.

Many wonders exist in the universe, but the masterpiece of all creation is a mother’s heart. Mothers begin to write their love story after having a child: conception is a wonder, but maternity is a gift from God. When a mother knows her purpose, her children know theirs as well. A mother’s task is to be the Lord’s voice for her children. Maternal instinct is a gift bestowed by God so that mothers can take good care of their children.

Mothers have a big influence on children. Abraham Lincoln acknowledged that his mother had deeply marked his life by saying, “All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” And John Wesley said “My mother was the source from which I derived the guiding principles of my life.”

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These statements shatter what some feminist organizations have been claiming for years based on arguments that contradict nature itself and denigrate the gift of motherhood given to women.

In her article “The Hardest Job: Being a Mother,” family counselor Alva Contreras mentions how important is motherhood for women.

“It is time for us women not to look down on what we do at home, but to talk it out with courage, without explaining or justifying ourselves for the decision of becoming mothers,” she upholds.

“The task of raising children is so valuable that the quality of society depends on our efforts. I consider this is the evidence of the upmost importance of our task. You are raising future lawyers, engineers, doctors, and so on, people with precious values and principles,” she emphasizes.

According to writer César Vidal, the role of mothers in society has been disregarded at some points in history.

“The work of anonymous and poorly recognized mothers has been much more significant for social stability and progress than any feminist movement. The simple task of socialization at home has saved our society astronomical amounts of money in judges, police officers and prisons, just the exact amounts needed to maintain stability in a society that mocks the role of mothers,” he says.

What mothers give of themselves cannot be compared to what institutions can do for us. Motherhood is extremely positive for the survival of humankind and society, so we must thank God for mothers.

When a mother knows her purpose, her children know theirs as well. A mother’s task is to be the Lord’s voice for her children. Maternal instinct is a gift bestowed by God so that mothers can take good care of their children.

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MUSIC

O MASTER, LET ME WALK WITH THEE This hymn by Washington Gladden was not originally intended to be a gospel song. Its core message emphasizes that the service to the Lord must be based on an intimate communication with the Redeemer.

Published in 1879, “O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee” comes from the times of the Social Gospel Movement in the American spiritual history. Washington Gladden, a renowned American Christian leader, wrote this hymn to convey in a simple language what it feels like to walk besides God. This poem was not originally intended to be set as a hymn, but was meant as a daily devotion. It appeared for the first time in Sunday Afternoon, a magazine prepared by the author. This praise was made popular by Charles Herbert Richards, who included it in his 1880 hymnal Christian Praise.

Set to music by Henry Percy Smith, this hymn was welcomed by Christians since its first appearance thanks to its heartfelt message. It teaches that the service to the Lord must be based on an intimate communication with the Redeemer. Filled with biblical references, it also proclaims that hope and love are essential in the life of believers.

Gladden was one of the most important preachers in the American pulpits. He claimed that the Savior was there in every earthly matter and that the Word was relevant for all key aspects of mankind. Born on February 11, 1836 in a farm in Pottsgrove, he served the Almighty as pastor for as long as 59 years.

Reverend Gladden, who was friends with Christian politician such as Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson and William Jennings Bryant, with whom he shared the love for the Almighty, lectured at many prestigious uni-

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O MASTER, LET ME WALK WITH THEE 1 O Master, let me walk with Thee in lowly paths of service free; tell me Thy secret; help me bear the strain of toil, the fret of care.

2 Help me the slow of heart to move by some clear, winning word of love; teach me the wayward feet to stay, and guide them in the homeward way.

3 Teach me Thy patience, still with Thee in closer, dearer company, in work that keeps faith sweet and strong, in trust that triumphs over wrong.

4 In hope that sends a shining ray far down the future's broad'ning way; in peace that only Thou canst give, with Thee, O Master, let me live.

versities such as Notre Dame, Yale, Oxford and Harvard, and received 35 honorary doctorates. He was ordained minister for Christ in 1859 and was the author, among others, of at least 66 books and pamphlets.

As part of his evangelizing work, this missionary became an energetic promoter of the moral reformation in the industry, trade and politics. Wielding the Holy Scriptures as a powerful sword, he fought against wicked figures such as William Tweed, who was the third largest landowner in New York City and is one the most corrupt men in the history of America.

Known back in his days for his influential sermons, Washington Gladden is remembered today for “O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee.� However, his prestige goes beyond music and comprises his particular worldview through the faith in the Lord. Arbitrator in many conflicts and strikes, and a detractor of wealth gotten by vanity, he died on July 2, 1918.

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LITERATURE

A SURVEY OF OLD TESTAMENT INTRODUCTION This priceless book by theologian Gleason L. Archer addresses topics such as canonicity, historicity, inspiration, textual problems, higher criticism, among others.

Before commencing a higher critical study of the Old Testament, it is appropriate for us to come to terms with the basic question of what kind of book it is. If it is merely a product of human genius, like many other documents upon which religions have been founded, then the data which it presents must be handled in one specific way. That is, these holy writings must be dealt with in purely literary terms, and naturalistic explanations must be found for every feature which appears to be supernatural (such as fulfilled prophecy). If, on the other hand, the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament are inspired by God, employing human instruments to record the truth He revealed to man, then the data must be handled in a quite different fashion. That is to say, everything which might appear to be inconsistent with that standard of accuracy and truth which divine inspiration presupposes must be carefully investigated in order to arrive at a satisfactory reconciliation of apparent discrepancies.

Published in 1964 by the Moody Bible Institute, A Survey of Old Testament Introduction is one of the past century’s most relevant introductory books on the first part of the Holy Scriptures. Written by American theologian Gleason L. Archer, it provides valuable information to the worldwide Christian Evangelical community from an orthodox viewpoint.

We no longer have access to infallible originals of the various books of the Hebrew Scriptures. The earliest copies which have been preserved to us are in some instances no closer than a thousand years to the time of original composition. Nevertheless, they constitute our primary authority today as to the inspired Word of God, and all our copies and translations of the Holy Scriptures are necessarily dependent upon the earliest and best available manuscripts of the Hebrew and Aramaic originals. We must therefore review the written evidence upon which our modern printed editions of the Hebrew Bible are based, and have some idea of the large and varied body of evidence with which Old Testament textual criticism has to deal.

Apart from dealing with subjects such as canonicity, historicity, inspiration, textual

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In its earlier form, the Hebrew Bible seems to have regarded the two volumes of Samuel as a single book.

The same was true of 1 and 2 Kings.

It was on this basis that Josephus in the first century a.d. reckoned the books of the Old Testament as twenty-two in number.

problems and higher criticism, A Survey of Old Testament Introduction also focuses on the difficulties specific to each book of the Bible. Experts considered this piece of literature a priceless tool for students, scholars, believers, and laymen willing to understand the conservative view of the Old Testament.

SIMPLE AND USEFUL

According to the Wellhausen hypothesis, the decline and fall of the Jewish monarchy, with the subsequent deportation of the Israelites into captivity, compelled them to surrender political aspirations and look to their religious institutions as a basis for continuing existence as a nation. For this reason, the professional priesthood of the tribe of Levi assumed increasing importance, and the ritual practices were elaborated into the form in which they were finally codified in Document P. Prior to the Exile, according to this theory, there

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LITERATURE

According to the Wellhausen hypothesis, the decline and fall of the Jewish monarchy, with the subsequent deportation of the Israelites into captivity, compelled them to surrender political aspirations and look to their religious institutions as a basis for continuing existence as a nation.

They point to motifs and emphases in Daniel which they believe to be akin to those characterizing the apocryphal literature of the Inter-testamental Period (such works as the Book of Enoch and the Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs, or even such books of the Apocrypha as Tobit and Susanna). These emphases include the prominence of angels, the stress upon the last judgment, the resurrection of the dead, and the establishment of the final kingdom of God upon earth with the Messiah as the supreme ruler of the world.

had been no really standardized regulations binding upon all the faithful, but worship and sacrifice were conducted according to simple and flexible patterns.

On the preface of his book, exegete Archer stated that his purpose is to provide a simple and useful tool for disciples and seminarians with little knowledge about the Scriptures. Similarly, the author aimed to offer an overview of the Old Testament for pastors and scholars of the Bible, as well as for new believers, adhering to a distinctly evangelical position.

In its earlier form, the Hebrew Bible seems to have regarded the two volumes of Samuel as a single book.

The same was true of 1 and 2 Kings. It was on this basis that Josephus in the first century AD reckoned the books of the Old Testament as twenty-two in number. But the Alexandrian Jews brought both Samuel and Kings together as books of “Kingdoms” and then sub-divided each of them so as to form four books of “kingdoms.” The Latin Vulgate in the course of time dropped the term books of kingdoms and shifting to the Hebrew division between Samuel and Kings, came out with the titles which the Western church has employed ever since. But the Eastern Church still speaks of 1 and 2 Samuel as 1 and 2 Kingdoms and refers to 1 and 2 Kings as 3 and 4 Kingdoms.

The American author, born on May 22, 1916, in Massachusetts, expresses in the preface his personal opinion that only an orthodox position concerning the content of the Holy Scriptures does true justice to the biblical text itself. He also revealed that his study, which deals with core subjects on the Old Testament, has been prepared in all impartiality and honesty.

Adherents of the Maccabean theory customarily lay great emphasis upon the supposed development or evolution of religious thought of the Israelite nation.

Gleason Archer Jr. received a Ph.D. in Classics from Harvard University, an LL.B from Suffolk Law School and a Bachelor of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary.

He asserts in the introduction to his book that the Holy Bible is different from other books because it is the only source of revelation of the one and true God and because its main purpose is humankind’s salvation.

Many nineteenth-century critics assumed that the Hebrews were incapable of cultivating hymnic, lyric, or didactic poetry until a fairly late period, and then only under the influence of their more cultured neighbors.

The more radical representatives of the Rationalist School felt confident in ruling out not only Davidic authorship of any and all of the Psalms, but even the composition of any of them prior to the Babylonian Exile. They did not hesitate to assign a substantial number of them to the Maccabean period (ca. 160 b.c.). The same is true of the other poetical books; Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon were all considered definitely post-exilic.

A Survey of Old Testament Introduction is divided in two parts. The first one is a general introduction to the subject with information on the Hebrew manuscripts and first versions. The second one examines the Bible from Genesis to Ecclesiastes and introduces Hebrew poetry. The book also includes seventeen illustrations.

The purpose of Ecclesiastes was to convince men of the uselessness of any world view which does not rise above the horizon of man himself. It pronounces the verdict of “vanity of vanities” upon any philosophy of life which regards the created world or human enjoyment as an end in itself. To view personal happiness as the highest good in life is sheer folly in view of the preeminent value of God Himself as over against His created universe. Nor can happiness ever be attained by pursuing after it, since such a pursuit involves the foolishness of self-deification. Having shown the vanity of living for worldly goals, the author clears the way for a truly adequate world view which recognizes God Himself as the highest value of all, and the meaningful life as the one which is lived in His service.

SOURCE OF SALVATION

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HERO OF FAITH

THE SPANISH REFORMER Arthur Kinder

Cipriano de Valera is widely renowned not only for contributing to the expansion of Christianity in the 16th century, but also for being the first editor to perform a major revision of Casiodoro de Reina’s so-called Bear Bible. He thus became the author of one of the most popular Bible versions among Spanish-speaking Christian denominations.

Cipriano de Valera is widely known as the first editor of the standard Bible for Spanish-speaking evangelical Christians: the Reina-Valera Bible. The former monk from Seville is one of the most relevant characters in the history of Christianity who contributed to the expansion of God’s Word in the 16th century. His life and work are an interesting example of a movement that is often ignored.

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Cipriano’s life took a drastic turn in 1588, the year when the Spanish Armada attacked England. The publication of his first book was the first link in a long chain. All his texts were written in Spanish. They seem to have been intended as much for use in propaganda against Spain as for the edification of his fellow exiles.

A few of the Spaniards who embraced the Reformation in their homeland managed to escape from the threat posed by the Inquisition by finding refuge in a safer and more congenial theological climate in Protestant lands. The story is perhaps not as well known as some may think. One such refugee was Cipriano de Valera.

Cipriano de Valera was born around 1532, probably in Fregenal de la Sierra. He spent some six years at the university in his hometown of Seville, studying dialectics and philosophy. In his twenties, he was member of the Order of Observantine Hieronymites in the monastery of San Isidoro del Campo, where he learnt from the doctrine of the Dutch theologian Erasmus of Rotterdam. He also became member of a group of believers that was accused of heresy by the Inquisition in 1557 because of their faithfulness to the Holy Scriptures.

NOMAD CHRISTIAN

Cipriano de Valera, one of the Spanish supporters of the Reformation, fled from his homeland together with some evangelical companions from the monastery. They left the country just in time to embark on his one-way trip to the heart of Europe. Later on, Cipriano was judged in absentia on April 26, 1562 and he was found guilty of apostasy by the Inquisition. He was burnt in effigy at a stake.

Cipriano’s situation was, in no case, unique. About a dozen of his Sevillian friends fled through winding and usually unknown roads towards Geneva, which was at the time a refuge and bastion of evangelical faith.

Labelled as “the Spanish heretic,” he was welcomed in Switzerland together with the pious Juan Pérez de Pineda, Christian writer and translator, and other six Spaniards on October 10, 1558.

After a short stay in Switzerland, Cipriano decided to go to England, which was ruled at the time by Elizabeth I, as it would be a better place to live. Once there,

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HERO OF FAITH Cipriano met the Spanish congregation led by Casiodoro de Reina, an old friend from the Order of Saint Jerome, but he did not fit in completely, so he ended up at the University of Cambridge, where his degree from Seville was validated on February 9, 1559.

On January 12, 1560, he was made a Professor of Theology at the University of Cambridge and became a Fellow of Magdalene College, one of the constituent colleges of Cambridge. He remained there until 1567, when he moved to London. Described as a master of Christian doctrine and professor in a document dated May 5, 1571, Cipriano took charge of Reina’s temple in 1563 when his countryman was forced to flee the British Isles.

Cipriano de Valera’s masterpiece was published in Amsterdam in 1602: “The Bible. That Is, the Sacred Books of the Old and New Testament. Second Edition. Revised and Collated with the Hebrew and Greek texts and various translations.” As mentioned in its long title, this edition was his revision of Reina’s Bear Bible.

PROLIFIC AUTHOR

Cipriano’s life took a drastic turn in 1588, the year when the Spanish Armada attacked England. The publication of his first book was the first link in a long chain. All his texts were written in Spanish. They seem to have been intended as much for use in propaganda against Spain as for the edification of his fellow exiles.

With his literary work, Cipriano de Valera wanted to make the Word accessible to everyone as an effective weapon against the Antichrist. His first publication, which was financed by two Christian Flemish traders, was “The Two Treatises.” In its almost 500 pages, the author objected to the figure of the Pope and questioned the validity of the mass. It was the first original version of a Spanish book and the second book in Spanish published in Great Britain.

This servant of the Almighty opposed the cruelty brought to the New World by the Catholic Monarchs since its discovery. He published in 1594 his second book: “A Treatise to Confirm the Poor Captives of Barbary in the Catholic and Ancient Faith of the Christian Religion, and to Console Them with the Word of God in the Afflictions which They Suffer for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” His publication tackled doctrinal ignorance and provided arguments to keep faith.

Two years later, a New Testament in Spanish was published. It was edited by Cipriano from the 1569 version by Casiodoro de Reina. It contained not only the revision of the original text, but also an 11-page preface justifying the biblical translation based on the Holy Scriptures and a historical background of the Spanish version of the Bible.

In 1596, the exegete published a second edition of “Catechism, Which Means Form of Education: It Contains the Principles of God’s Religion, Useful and Necessary for every Faithful Christian. In the Form of a Dialogue between Minister and Child.” It is very like Juan Pérez de Pineda’s translation of John Calvin’s Cat-

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echism published in Geneva in 1559; Valera even kept Pérez’s preface.

His translation of the fifth edition of John Calvin’s Institution was published in 1597: Institution of the Christian Religion. The volume had 1090 pages, including a 13-page preface addressed “to all the faithful of the Spanish nation.” He also stated that Christ had raised up Calvin, “the most learned interpreter of the sacred Scripture,” to be one of many “instruments of grace” in His church.

MASTERPIECE

Cipriano de Valera’s masterpiece was published in Amsterdam in 1602: “The Bible. That Is, the Sacred Books of the Old and New Testament. Second Edition. Revised and Collated with the Hebrew and Greek texts and various translations.” As mentioned in its long title, this edition was his revision of Reina’s Bear Bible, to which he devoted twenty years of his life.

Motivated by the lack of copies of Reina’s Bible as a result of the of the Spanish Inquisition’s repression, the evangelist thought that a second edition was much needed; it would include notes explaining the sense of biblical texts so that the Spanish-speaking community could read the Word in their own language. It is currently the most used translation in many Spanishspeaking Christian denominations.

The life and publications of Cipriano de Valera, who died around 1602, played their part in the history of the second phase of the Reformation. He lived a useful life in the land of his adoption. He tried to help his countrymen at tome, and those in exile in Europe, in accordance with his convictions, by assuring a supply of evangelical literature, and to further the cause of the Reformation by issuing pamphlets useful in controversy.

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LIFE STORY

THE REPENTED GANGSTER Growing up without the love and care of his parents led him to a life of crime and drugs. He became part of a dangerous gang in Honduras and spent ten years in prison, left behind by everyone. But one day he found salvation.

STEVEN LÓPEZ PHOTO: ARCHIVO FAMILIAR

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Edwin Orlando Pastor had been isolated from the other inmates because he was considered very dangerous. He could be seen pacing back and forth in his cell like a caged beast. Only his daily dose of drugs made him forget the world and the fact that he had been completely forgotten by his family. He had been member of a vicious gang in Honduras, and he was spending his days in a dark, filthy cell.

One afternoon, the loudspeakers announced an evangelistic campaign that was to take place in the prison’s yard. The call was made for many minutes and he could not help but listen the voice that was inviting everyone to learn about the path of Jesus.

Edwin felt compelled to go, but an inner voice tried to discourage him. “Don’t go, God will not forgive you.

You’re evil and you’ve done great harm to many people,” it said. Nonetheless, he was too curious and he asked to leave his cell.

He crossed the long corridors between the cellblocks, but each step demanded him great effort. He barely managed to arrive to the meeting place. When he finally did, he sat among the converted prisoners and other curious people, who were surprised to see him in such a dreadful condition. He was no longer the frightening criminal everybody feared, but some weak, skinny, dirty man.

The pastor started to preach God’s Word with a voice stronger than any resistance. The message seemed to be directed to him, to refer to the unfortunate life he had known since he was a child. He attentively listened to the preacher’s words reminding him of his tragic past, and something within his heart changed.

EDWIN’S CHILDHOOD

Edwin was taken away from his parents and raised by his paternal grandmother at the age of two. The uncles and cousins with whom he lived mistreated him both physically and psychologically. He was treated as some sort of servant.

This caused him to feel resentful towards them. He never knew kindness or love when he most needed it. As he was not strong enough to stand up for himself and he had nobody to protect him, his heart filled with hatred towards his neglecting parents.

He spent his childhood in the small city of Danlí, in the department of El Paraíso, Honduras. Although his grandmother did not have much, she managed to enroll him in school. However, school was far from being a happy place for Edwin: his classmates would mock him because he had no parents. Hatred grew stronger in his heart.

By the time he turned 15, Edwin was so tired of the mistreatment of his family, that he decided to run away

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LIFE STORY

from home and live on the streets. Together with other teenagers, he went down the path of debauchery that would later lead him to prison.

He met the wrong kind of people and started drinking and using drugs. He even began to steal to pay for his addictions. As the bold thief he was, he was reported so many times that the police went after him. Edwin moved to another city to avoid being captured.

He went to the city where his father lived, thinking

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Edwin was taken away from his parents and raised by his paternal grandmother at the age of two. The uncles and cousins with whom he lived mistreated him both physically and psychologically. He was treated as some sort of servant.

viciousness made him climb up very quickly and he became an important leader of one of the most infamous gangs of Honduras.

Just like other members, he had his body tattooed.

He committed armed robbery and hired murder. His fellow gang members were now his new family. Edwin was but 17 and he already had an arrest warrant on him. He fled back to his hometown but did not give up on crime and drugs.

One day, he was riding his bike on the streets of Danlí when a car at very high speed ran him over. He was lying on the pavement, and those who had gathered around him could not help but watch the scene, unable to help.

Half-conscious as he was, he caught sight of some dark shadows coming to take him. He tried to scream, but no sound came out. That is when he looked up at the sky and asked God for a chance to be saved. He regained consciousness 10 minutes later, while he was being attended to by paramedics.

God listened to his pleas and saved him. He recovered soon after, but he forgot his promise and got even more involved with gangs.

KEEP YOUR PROMISE

that he would find love and support from him. Once in San Pedro de Paula, one of the most dangerous cities of Honduras, his father welcomed him, but Edwin did not stay too long. He soon became a dangerous criminal and drug dealer.

THE MARAS

As a drug dealer, Edwin met members of many gangs, such as the Maras, and he soon joined one of them. His

Sometime later, he met some youngsters from rock bands that introduced him to the world of darkness. He would now wear black clothes with skull prints and long hair. He was lost. He even took part in satanic rituals where participants would blaspheme against God and use pages of the Bible to get high.

Such was his life until one day Edwin met a friend from his childhood that gave him a Bible. He received the Holy Scriptures, but left them on his nightstand and forgot about them. He did not care about God things.

He was using drugs one night when he saw the Holy book. Led by curiosity, he opened it and read a verse that moved his heart. “Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing” (Matthew 5:25-26). This message made him think but he did not change.

Edwin was imprisoned for the first time when he was twenty, but he was released three weeks later thanks to a friend. Freedom would not last long, though. Two years later, he was locked away and sentenced to ten years. He underwent a harsh treatment in prison for his past records.

YOU WILL LOOK FOR ME

It was in these circumstances that Edwin attended the

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LIFE STORY

He met the wrong kind of people and started drinking and using drugs.

He even began to steal to pay for his addictions. As the bold thief he was, he was reported so many times that the police went after him. Edwin moved to another city to avoid being captured.

Christian campaign and listened to the preaching of the pastor: “It doesn’t matter if you’ve been a gang member or if you have hurt people. God loves you. He died for you. He wants to see you happy,” preached Pastor Whiston Lagos.

The memories of his lonely life came to him all at once. He was alone in the world, far from his family, and nobody cared if he lived or died in prison. But the preacher had said that he was loved, and the words had touched his heart.

The pastor made a call for repentance, but Edwin resisted the impulse to step up. A brother filled with God’s spirit approached him and told him: “God can change you. Accept Jesus Christ in your life and everything will be different,” he said.

Edwin nodded and all the brothers came near to pray. During the prayer, he saw as some black balls left his body. He then fell to the feet of Christ. He confessed his sins and asked the Almighty for a new opportunity.

From that moment on, his life changed. He stopped using drugs and being friends with criminals and became a preacher of God’s Word.

His good behavior allowed him to go out on weekends. After serving his sentence, he was released from both his social and spiritual prison.

He currently serves Jesus Christ with all his heart and preaches God’s Word in the most dangerous streets of Honduras together with his wife, Damaris Suyen Duarte Maradiaga, and his children. He was forgotten by everybody, except by God.

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INTERVIEW

“LET’S NOT NEGLECT NEW GENERATIONS” Eliseo Aquino Curi

Reverend Carlos Guerra, international officer of the Worldwide Missionary Movement (WMM), urges leaders not to lose God's direction and to follow the example of those who have led the Work.

In the recent Pastors Retreat held in northeastern Peru, Reverend Carlos Guerra reflected on the future of the Church and the formation of new generations, which will inherit our legacy to prepare for the coming of the Lord.

In the book of Judges, a new generation emerged that did not know the Lord.

How dangerous is it when new generations do not have the same vision as their predecessors?

Joshua was a determined, visionary man, a general who knew how to face his enemies; however, he failed to train a successor. As a result, there was a gap between the generation of the conquest and the one that came later; the latter had no knowledge of God, and this had dire consequences.

We focus so much on our projects that we forget that we will not be here forever.

Another generation will take the reins of the Work of the Lord and we must train it, equip it, and most of all, inspire it. If the vision is not absorbed, the work done by so many men before, who struggled, sowed and even offered their lives, will be lost. If the vision is lost, all this work will have been in vain.

What degree of responsibility do leaders have when a generation forgets God? Leaders are responsible for achieving salvation, but also for making disciples. We must transfer what we have received from God. We are the result of the legacy that other men left in our lives. For me, those other men are Luis M. Ortiz, Yiye Ávila, Rodolfo González, my pastor, Brother Manuel Zúñiga. They have inspired and motivated me to carry on.

We have the responsibility to teach others, not only with the Scripture, but also with facts. It is our responsibility to set the best example and walk with righteousness, so that they learn the path of holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

You met Pastor Luis M. Ortiz. What was the vision of the founder of this Work?

Brother Luis M. Ortiz was a man of God, a man of much spiritual authority, but at the same time of praiseworthy simplicity and humility. He taught us to grow, not only inside, but also outward. His passion was missionary work and the missionary training of workers. He taught us to build churches and to make them grow into other parts of the world.

We learned from him the love for missionary work. He was a man of vision, and we respected him and willingly submitted to him. He was like a father who inspired us and

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marked our lives to continue doing the work of the Lord.

Several councils have fallen because their new leaders lost their vision. What should we do to prevent that from happening to us?

We have to fuel our intimacy with God. We can get so involved in the Work of the Lord that we neglect the Lord of the Work. We can have our agenda so full of activities and projects that we neglect the most essential, which is our communion with God. We cannot let what happened to the church of Ephesus in Revelation happen to us. They did many good things and worked hard, but they neglected something very important: their first love. The Lord said to them, “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent...”

(Revelation 2:5). That church was always on the go, but God saw that they had fallen and ordered them to repent.

If we are not careful, we could lose everything.

In order not to lose direction, we have to keep our intimacy with God. If we are careless, we will lose contact, vision and mission and everything will fall apart. When leaders lose their intimacy with God, there comes chaos. Any ministry can grow financially, in activities and other, but we cannot lose our vision and love for missionary work.

What is the most important legacy to leave to the next generations?

We must leave the legacy that our predecessors left us: the love for God’s Work, the sound doctrine, the old path and, above all, the love of God. Another very important thing is the service to God. Jesus Christ said, “If any man serve me, him will my Father honour” (John 12:26). Glory to God for the doctors, the judges, the professionals; we need them. The best and greatest legacy we can leave to this next generation is the service to God. We will be rewarded here and now and also in eternal life.

Some final thoughts and a message for the readers of the Impacto Evangelistic magazine.

We are in the last days. The trumpet is about to sound very soon. For this reason, it is necessary to understand the time we are living and teach generations to understand it as well. In this way, they will obtain the guidance of our Creator, so that they know what they have to do and prepare for the rapture of the Church.

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APOLOGETICS

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE Christian Science is a system of religious and spiritual beliefs established in the nineteenth century by Mary Baker Eddy, which according to its adherents serves to cure diseases.

Its church is called the Church of Christ, Scientist, and its followers argue that this so-called “science” interprets and proves God’s laws.

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Christian Science was begun by Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910), who pioneered new ideas about spirituality and health. Inspired by her own experience of healing in 1866, Eddy spent years in Bible study, prayer, and research of various healing methods. The result was a system of healing she dubbed “Christian Science” in 1879.

Her book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, broke new ground in the understanding of the mind-body-spirit connection. She went on to found a college, a church, a publishing enterprise, and the respected newspaper “The Christian Science Monitor.” Because of its similarity to other groups, many believe Christian Science to be a non-Christian cult.

Christian Science teaches that God—FatherMother of all—is completely good and wholly spiritual and that all God’s creation, including the true nature of every person, is the flawless spiritual likeness of the Divine. Since God’s creation is good, evils such as disease, death, and sin cannot be a part of fundamental reality. Rather, these evils are the result of living apart from God. Prayer is a central way to come closer to God and heal human ills. This differs from the Bible, which teaches that man is born in sin inherited from Adam’s fall and that sin separates us from God. Without God’s saving grace through the death of Christ on the cross, we would never be healed of the ultimate sickness— sin.

Rather than teaching that Jesus heals our spiritual sickness (see Isaiah 53:5), Christian Scientists see Jesus’ ministry as their own paradigm for healing, believing it demonstrates the centrality of healing in regard to salvation. Christian Scientists pray to realize more of the reality of God and God’s love daily and to experience and help others experience the harmonizing, healing effects of this understanding.

For most Christian Scientists, spiritual healing is an effective first choice and, as a result, they turn to the power of prayer in lieu of medical treatment. Government authorities have occasionally challenged this

Christian Science has no ministers.

Rather, the Bible and Science and Health act as pastor and preacher.

Bible lessons are studied daily and read aloud on Sunday by two elected lay members of each local congregation.

approach, especially in circumstances when medical treatment is withheld from minors. However, there is no church policy mandating members’ health-care decisions.

Christian Science has no ministers. Rather, the Bible and Science and Health act as pastor and preacher.

Bible lessons are studied daily and read aloud on Sunday by two elected lay members of each local congregation. Christian Science churches also hold weekly testimonial meetings, at which congregation members relate experiences of healing and regeneration.

Eddy made Boston the headquarters of the church in 1881. In 1892, the church was named The First Church of Christ, Scientist, or The Mother Church; local churches are considered branches. The Christian Science Board of Directors runs The Mother Church and local branches function on a democratic basis.

The Mother Church and its branches operate under the guidance of the Manual of the Mother Church by Mary Baker Eddy.

Source: https://www.gotquestions.org

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DEVOTIONAL “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me” Isaiah 6:8.

Rev. Luis M. Ortiz

SEND ME Catholic as we were, after God worked a miracle for our family, my mom and I went to church. I was ten years old. The preacher, who was a powerful evangelist full of the anointing of the Holy Spirit, preached the message of the Word of God. About twenty five souls raised their hands to accept the Lord as Savior, and so did I. The preacher invited me to go up the platform. He spoke a few words and, filled with the Holy Spirit, put his hands on my head, prayed to the Lord, and devoted me to His service: “Lord, if you are not to come just yet, make this child a preacher of Your Gospel.”

The years passed and, when I finished my studies, I got a job in the most important news media company in the country. I earned a lot of money and had a very bright future ahead. I felt fulfilled, but there was dissatisfaction within my spirit. After God dealt with me on different occasions, I obeyed Him and quit my job and entered a Biblical Institute.

While in my freshman year, God called me to the mission field. Whenever I prayed, God called me, and so I decided not to pray with much zeal so as not to hear the voice of God calling me. But there came a time of crisis in my life, and I began to seek the face of the Lord. God spoke to me again and called me, but I responded that I did not want to go out to the mission field, that it was very hard for me to leave my family, my country, everything.

One day while I was praying, I felt the powerful hand of God on my chest and back, like someone taking a pencil in their fist. He said, “I need you. Are you coming?” I replied, “No, Lord, send another.” His hand pressed me a little more, and he asked a second time, “I need you. Are you coming?” I replied, “No, Lord, I’m not.” His hand pressed even harder and he asked once again, but I kept resisting.

Finally, His hand squeezed me in such a way that I felt like crushing, and he said, “Son, and now, are you ready to come?” It was then that I replied, “Yes, Lord, I’ll go. You will open doors for me, and I will go through them.”

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When I decided to obey, His hand released me, and a feeling of peace, joy, harmony and victory took over me and has never left me ever since. And the truth be told, the memory of God’s merciful grip and loving voice in my heart makes me follow with joy the path that He has set for me. Although while doing my best to fulfill my mission and responsibility in this world I have received squeezes from demons and men, from nonbelievers and believers, from lay people and workers, that merciful grip has always reminded me that my dealings are with the Lord and that only to Him I am accountable.

I remember once that I was in the mission field under fire from all sides. It was the times of revolution in Cuba, but the shooting, the bombs, the fire and the dead on the streets were not as upsetting to my mind as the spiritual and moral fight that I was fighting for obeying God. The pressure was such that I felt like giving up. I would always wonder if I should remain in the mission field or leave.

The fight was not only outside, but also within.

Feeling weak and thinking of leaving the mission field to please human and council interests, I was praying one morning. God, whom I serve with a clear conscience, came through His Spirit to strengthen me and putting His hand on me, He said: “My servant, I need you in Cuba until I tell you otherwise. I will be with you.�

We continued to win souls for Christ and in only four years, God helped us build 45 new churches and a body of 60 workers of the Lord. Glory to God! We were having the best time of our life in this great work when the Holy Spirit ordered us to leave Cuba. Although we did not understand very well, we obeyed the Lord and left the Work with everything sorted out. After our departure, 25 new churches have been established, making a total of 70, and there are about 100 workers of the Lord.

God ordered us to leave for many reasons: to financially help the Work in Cuba; to continue to establish churches in other countries (Portugal, Colombia, Puerto Rico, and so on); to continue to carry the message all over the world; for God to build a great Worldwide Missionary Movement. Amen.

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DEVOTIONAL “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word… My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.” Luke 1:38: 46-49.

bear the Lord’s child. The young woman understood that being mother to the Messiah would make her a specially blessed woman among all past and future generations (Luke 1:48). Only a mother can convey the tenderness and kindness that comes from God. This is what makes them such special human beings.

MARY, A TRUSTWORTHY WOMAN

Rev. Rubén Concepción

MARY The Bible acknowledges many brave, humble, selfless, and faithful women, but Mary stands out among them all. Though we do not idolize nor worship her, we know that God chose her to carry out the greatest of plans: the redemption of humankind.

Mary was a woman chosen by God to become a mother. Certainly, this Hebrew maiden had many good qualities that prompted God to choose her to fulfill the great mystery of the incarnation of Jesus.

It is important that women acknowledge that the privilege and honor of giving birth to another human being comes directly from God. Unfortunately, some women do not value the divine gift of motherhood and think that children are a bother and a burden and they go as far as to take their life.

MARY, A HUMBLE WOMAN

A distinct feature of the 21st century is the dramatic increase in pregnancy rates due to premarital sex. Pregnancy in teenagers puts a sudden end to childhood and innocence, and marks the beginning of the responsibilities of adulthood.

Mary had not known a man, and pregnancy outside marriage was a crime punishable by death at her time.

Therefore, she knew that she was risking her life by accepting to carry in her womb what would seem to be the result of not only fornication, but also unfaithfulness, as she was engaged to Joseph. Nevertheless, Mary said these beautiful words when she received angel Gabriel’s message: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38).

MARY, A FAITHFUL AND PIOUS WOMAN

Mary trusted God completely, and so she accepted to

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This phrase appears in different parts of the Gospel: “But his mother kept all these sayings in her heart” (Luke 2:51). Mary’s heart had a natural predisposition for service, and she kept in secret the angel’s message about Jesus and his messianic mission.

Since the birth of Christ, Mary was aware that she would experience a great pain. In fact, when Joseph and she took Jesus to the temple to be circumcised, Simeon prophesied: “Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul…” (Luke 2:35).

Mary was Christ’s mother and as such she trusted Him. At the wedding at Cana, she turned to Jesus like a mother who knows her child’s abilities and skills. She put her trust in Him because she knew that He was able to help her. For this reason, she told the servants: “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it” ( John 2:5).

Mary taught Jesus strong moral principles, and she was sure that He would never do anything to dishonor his testimony or his home. We have to be aware that the most essential values and principles are mainly taught at home, not at church or school.

MARY, A LOYAL WOMAN

This verse depicts Mary’s character perfectly: “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene” ( John 19:25). Despite her pain and suffering, Jesus’ mother stood at the foot of the cross like a mother that supports her son.

Jesus was also aware of his duty as son: “When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home” ( John 19:26-27).

Despite his cruel agony, Jesus looked kindly at his mother. He was worried about her wellbeing and future, and so He entrusted her to Apostle John, his most beloved disciple, so that she would not be alone. Christ knew how to take care of her mother until his departure from this world.

Mary is a source of inspiration. She stood by the cross when all of Jesus’ friends and disciples abandoned Him. She was brave, loyal, willing, discreet, faithful and pious.

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DEVOTIONAL “And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi. And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.” Exodus 2:1-2.

Rev. Alberto Ortega

JOCHEBED In Exodus, we read how Satan was working through Pharaoh,

king of Egypt, to kill Hebrew children (Exodus 1:22). Some parents refused to obey the king’s commandment (Exodus 2:1-2), and that is why Moses was saved and later carried out one of the most extraordinary ministries as told in the Bible.

JOCHEBED, A MOTHER FOR THE CRISIS

Devoting to the faith. “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment” (Hebrews 11:23).

To overcome the crisis, Jochebed and her husband out their complete trust in the living God. Despite the Pharaoh’s commandment ordered them to deliver their child to death, they hid him and risked their lives in the process.

Devoting her feelings. Jochebed surrendered her feelings to the Lord: “And when she could not longer hide him… ” (Exodus 2:3).

She was in great pain and her heart was broken, as she was aware that she was not capable of saving her son. Faith has not to do with our feelings; it is about who we look to: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith… ” (Hebrews 12:2).

The name Moses, which means “taken from the waters,” was not given by Jochebed but by the Pharaoh’s daughter. She did not even get to name her child. How terrible it must be for a mother! But she overcame the pain by casting her feelings on the Lord and letting Him

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have the final say. Parents sometimes get in the way of God’s purposes and plans for their children as they believe that they know better.

Devoting him to the waters. “… She took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s brink” (Exodus 2:3). Bulrushes were

the main raw material used for vessels in Egypt. Jochebed daubed the vessel with slime and pitch for double protection. She made sure that it was well built and would resist the rough crossing through the Nile.

Similarly, our children will have to face a “rough crossing” at school, college or work. They will be surrounded by a decaying environment that is hostile to

morality and where the Bible is questioned by teachers and friends. These are the last days and the polluted waters of sin have taken over the world. Are we rowing against this mighty, polluted river? Are we equipping our children with sufficient bulrushes?

Jochebed delivered her condemned child to the Nile and entrusted him to the Lord so that He would lead him to a safe harbor. The river was plagued with crocodiles, but the powerful hand of the Lord guided little Moses towards the Pharaoh’s daughter.

No place was safer than the house of the Pharaoh who had condemned Moses.

Moses went from facing certain death to being under royal protection.

God touched the heart of Pharaoh’s daughter so that she would give Moses back, if only for a while, to his real mother without even knowing it: “Then said his sister to Pharaoh’s daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee? And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child’s mother. And Pharaoh’s daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the women took the child, and nursed it” (Exodus 2:7-9). Jochebed was even payed by the Egyptian kingdom to take care of her child. How great is the Lord!

Renewing her devotion. “And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water” (Exodus 2:10).

Jochebed spent some years with her child, but then came the time for her to let him go once again. She had to sacrifice her feelings so that God could fulfill His plan for Moses and Israel. Such a hard decision.

It is from the times of sacrifice and suffering that great liberation comes.

A whole enslaved nation was freed thanks to the decision of a mother who renewed her devotion.

Jochebed gave the river her condemned child, who became a tool in the hands of God, and the Lord gave Israel a liberator. Moses never rejected the name given by Pharaoh’s daughter, but he embraced it. He fulfilled God’s plans because his mother overcame the times of crisis.

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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).

CHOSEN TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE Event: 9th anniversary of the Women Society of Barcelona Date: February 20 - February 21 Place: Barcelona, Spain

With the presence of Reverend Carlos Medina,

national supervisor of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Spain, and Pastor Alexander Montes, head of the church of Castellón, the Women Society of the Work in Barcelona celebrated its 9th anniversary in the temple of La Sagrera.

The two-day event was held under the theme “Cho-

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sen to Make a Difference,” and was attended by more than a hundred believers from the churches of San Juan Despí, Hospitalet, Lleida, Zona Franca and Castellón. The faithful came to Barcelona to listen to the Almighty’s message and to be nourished on the Word of Jesus Christ in a meeting in which the name of God was praised.

EVENT

Event: Visit to the island of Menorca Date: March 2 Place: Menorca, Spain

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN GOD VISITS US With the aim of spreading the Gospel in the Balearic archipelago, Reverend Ovidio Romero, presbyter of Zone 3 of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Spain, visited the island of Menorca and conveyed the message of the Almighty.

In Menorca, which is part of the Balearic Islands, Pastor Ovidio made a one-day missionary journey and preached the Word of God to thirteen people through the message entitled “What Happens When God Visits Us and the Importance of His Visitation,” based on Jeremiah 29:10-12.

In his preaching, the minister of Jesus Christ analyzed the Gospel and told that the Lord promised the people that Nebuchadnezzar took prisoner from Jerusalem to Babylon that He would visit them within seventy years.

In his visit to the island of Menorca, Reverend Ovidio Romero took the opportunity to look for a place to found a church. In addition, he had the opportunity to spend time with brothers from the churches of Alicante and Mallorca, and with Pastor Alberto Pérez.

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Event: United Service Date: February 23 Place: A Coruña, Spain

PUT TO THE TEST In order to make the Work of the Almighty grow in the Iberian Peninsula, the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Spain held a United Service in the central church of A Coruña. The event was attended by about twenty brothers from the local church and the church of Oviedo.

Reverend Oswaldo Romero, presbyter of Zone 7 of the WMM in Spain and leader of the church of Oviedo, announces the good news of the Lord and shared the sound doctrine with the faithful.

Based on 1 Timothy 3:10, Pastor Romero developed the preaching “Put to the Test,” and he stressed that God has a job for anyone who wants to serve Him. He also said that we must always be tested by the Lord to demonstrate our faith.

After Pastor Romero’s presentation, Pastor Daniel Llados, head of the church of A Coruña, thanked him and saluted the participation of the believers from the church of Oviedo. In addition, he stressed that the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Spain works tirelessly in favor of the Gospel.

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EVENT WORD OF GOD

In the opening worship, Sister Estefanía de Montes, wife of Pastor Montes, national treasurer of the WMM in Spain, announced the Gospel of the Lord. Based on Esther 2:17 and 4:14, she shared the message “For Such a Time as This You Were Chosen.” She spoke about the life of Esther, who went through several tests of faith and was an instrument of God. In addition, she pointed out that the Lord wants to have people of good testimony.

Then, in the second service, Sister Estefanía shared the good news once again through the message “Chosen to Raise the Family in God,” based on 2 Kings 4:112. She encouraged sisters to offer the Lord what they have in order to see the glory of God, and emphasized that He can do great things for Christian families.

During the last worship, the new board of the Women Society of the WMM in Barcelona was appointed. The new members committed to work to make the Work grow, and the former members thanked for the support received to achieve the goals for the expansion of the Gospel in Spain.

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KINGDOM OF HEAVEN Evento: Campaña evangelística.

Fecha: 23 de marzo.

Lugar: Padua, Italia.

With the aim of preaching the Gospel of God in Padua, a group of believers of different nationalities from the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Italy held an Evangelistic Campaign in this city located in Veneto.

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The Colombian, Peruvian and Dominican faithful, led by Pastor Clementi Valter, head of the church of San Donà di Piave, preached the Word in the streets of Padua and distributed copies of the Impacto Evangelistic magazine.

The activity took place first at the central station located in the heart of Padua, where the name of the Almighty was praised and the good news was announced to passers-by, who listened to the message of Christ.

Then, the members of the WMM in Italy moved to the Europa Park, located at the intersection of Via Venice, Via Zamboni and Via Maroncelli. There, Pastor Valter shared the Gospel through a preaching based on Matthew 18:1-7.

EVENT

Event: Marriage Week Date: February 6 - February 10 Place: Busto Arsizio, Italy

WHY DO MARRIAGES FAIL? The Worldwide Missionary Movement in Italy celebrated the Marriage Week in the church of Busto Arsizio. Reverend Hugo Lope, national treasurer of the Work in Italy, preached the Word of God. In the first worship, Pastor Lope shared the message “How to Solve Marital Problems,” based on Ephesians 4:25-32. He explained the basic laws of communication in marriage: do not lie, do not make problems worse, attack the problem, and be supportive.

In the second service, Reverend Lope developed the preaching “The Role of the Husband,” based on Ephesians 5:23-27. He spoke about the role God has assigned to man as husband and head of the home.

In the third worship, he presented the message “The Role of the Wife,” based on Genesis 2:18. He stressed that wives should not judge nor ridicule their husbands, but they should edify their marriages.

In the last service, Pastor Hugo Lope and his wife, Sister Lizet de Lope, shared the message “Why Do Marriages Fail?” based on Genesis 2:24. They urged married couples to help each other.

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EVENT

CHRIST WAS RAISED UP FROM THE DEAD BY THE GLORY Event: Baptism Ceremony Date: February 9 Place: Willemstad, Curacao

The Worldwide Missionary Movement in Curacao held a baptism ceremony in Kokomo Beach, located

eleven miles from Willemstad. Eight brothers converted to Christianity after receiving the sound doctrine of the Work of God and publicly accepted to serve Jesus Christ for the rest of their lives.

The opening ceremony was led by Sister Gladys de Vergara, wife of Reverend Clemente Vergara, international officer of the WMM. She gave a short message in which she highlighted the progress of the Gospel in Curacao.

NEW LIFE

Later, Pastor Vergara preached the Word of the Lord

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with a message based on Romans 6:4. In his preaching, the minister stressed how important it is to receive the sacrament instituted by Christ in his earthly life. He also pointed out that those who are baptized can experiencing a new life with the Lord.

After the speech by Reverend Vergara, the faithful who decided to descend into the baptismal waters offered testimony of how their life was like before knowing the Lord. Likewise, the new members of the WMM in Curacao spoke about the way in which the Lord changed them and turned them into good people.

Pastor Mith Ilario and Brother Jimmy Ogenia were in charge of immersing the believers who committed to follow Jesus and obey the Word of God. In this way, the Work demonstrated, once again, that Christianity is gaining ground in Curacao and the Antilles thanks to the tireless work done by the members of the Work.

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EVENT

SPIRITUAL MOTIVATIONS AND GOALS IN MY LIFE Event: 24th National Convention Date: March 14 - March 17 Place: Melbourne, Australia

The Worldwide Missionary Movement in Australia held its 24th National Convention at the Collingwood Town Hall, located in Abbotsford, Melbourne. The event, whose theme was “Shekhinah 2019,” was attended by Reverend Clement Vergara, international officer of the WMM. In the opening service, Pastor Vergara, missionary who preaches the Gospel in Africa, announced the good news of the Almighty with the message “We Need the Glory of God to Ignite Us with the Divine Fire,” based on Luke 2:9.

At the beginning of the second day, Reverend Roberto Archila, member of the WMM in the U.S., preached the Word. Based on 2 Kings 2:1-10, he shared the message “Let’s Go After a Double Anointing,” in which he explained how to obtain God’s shekhinah.

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MESSAGES OF FAITH

The next day, in the morning service, Pastor William García, officer of the WMM in New Zealand, preached the Gospel. Based on Mark 8:22-31, he shared the preaching “The Three Touches of God” and pointed out that in the name of the Lord, all things happen for a good reason.

In the evening, Reverend Vergara preached again to the faithful who answered to the call of the Lord. Based on Acts 18:5-11, he gave the speech entitled “The Virus that Gnaws the Spirit and Faith of Christians.”

On the last day, Pastor Vergara evangelized God’s people for the third time. Based on Exodus 3:1-6 and 10-12, he shared the message “Spiritual Motivations and Goals in My Life.”

In the closing ceremony of the event, Brother Héctor Montoya was recognized as lay pastor. Likewise, Pastor Daniel Cuéllar was appointed national supervisor of the WMM in Australia, thus replacing Reverend Enoc Ramos.

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EVENT

BE STRONG AND OF A GOOD COURAGE Event: Men Fellowship Date: March 7 - March 10 Place: Berlin, Germany

The Worldwide Missionary Movement in Germany held its Men Fellowship in Berlin under the

theme “Be Strong and of a Good Courage.” During the four-day spiritual event, Reverend Roberto Riojas, officer of Europe Block C and pastor of the church of London, preached the Word of God. In the first worship, Reverend Riojas shared the message “Pillars of Christian Leadership,” based on 1 Timothy 3:14-15. He stated that, “a good leader knows how to control their temper and uses the gifts and talents God has given them to serve others. These are the five virtues of a good leader: humility, obedience, righteousness, maturity and responsibility.”

The next day, in the second service, Pastor Riojas evangelized the people once again through the message entitled “A Woman Touched by the Power of the Word,” based on Acts 16:14. He talked about Lydia, a courageous and hardworking woman who worshiped God, and pointed out that the Lord opened her heart to be baptized.

The third worship was led by Reverend Riojas who, based on 1 Kings 10:14-16 and 14:25-27, developed the speech “God Seeks Men with a Golden Shield,” The preacher announced the good news and spoke about the right way to defend ourselves against the tricks of the enemy.

At the closing service, Pastor Roberto shared one last message, “Builsing Healthy Families,” based on Ephesians 6:1-4. “Parents are the pillars of a home and the role model of children. We have to ask God to guide so that we can guide our families,” he noted.

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EVENT

MAY WE NOT MISS HIS PRESENCE

Event: Fellowship of Scandinavia Date: March 29 - March 31 Place: Stockholm, Sweden

With the attendance of more than fifty faithful, the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Sweden held the Fellowship of Scandinavia in Stockholm, the largest city of the country.

In the first service of the second day, Pastor Ovidio Romero, presbyter of Zone 3 of the WMM in Spain, shared the message “How to Get to the Land of Uprightness,” based on Psalm 143:10-11.

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Later that day, in the second worship, Reverend Romero was the instrument chosen by the Lord to preach His Word. Based on Psalm 21:5-7, the preacher presented the message “May We Not Miss His Presence.”

The next day, at the beginning of the last day, Pastor Romero developed his third preaching: “Open the Doors, Light the Lamps and Burn Incense,” based on 2 Chronicles 29:1-8.

At the closing service of the Fellowship of Scandinavia, Pastor Morten Christensen from the Church of Denmark, preached the Gospel with the message “Deborah,” based on Judges 5:1-3.

I PROMISE TO LOVE YOU FOREVER Event: Marriage Fellowship Date: March 3 Place: Hamamatsu, Japan

With the special attendance of Reverend Ricardo Cueto, member of the Work in Peru, and his wife, Sister Ana María de Cueto, the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Japan held a Marriage Fellowship in the temple of Hamamatsu.

The spiritual meeting took place with the theme “I Promise to Love You Forever,” and Pastor Cueto shared the Word of God. Based on Matthew 19:3-9, the preacher presented a message about what Jesus taught about divorce.

Guided by the Lord, Reverend Ricardo stressed that marriage was established by God, and what He joins together no man can separate. He also emphasized that only Jesus has the power to put together families destroyed by evil.

The Marriage Fellowship, organized by the WMM in Hamamatsu, was attended by more than twenty Christian married couples who used the opportunity to renew their faith in Christ and to commit to continue fighting the good fight.

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EVENT

WE COME TO LEARN, WE GO TO SERVE Evento: Event: 3rd graduation ceremony of the Elim Bible Institute Date: February 16 Place: San Miguel, El Salvador

Under the theme “We Come to Learn, We Go to Serve”, the Worldwide Missionary Movement in El Salvador held the 3rd graduation ceremony of the Elim Bible Institute (EBI). 53 believers were recognized for having successfully finished their theological training.

The graduation ceremony of the institution of the Work of God was attended by Reverend Edwin Parada, national supervisor of the WMM in El Salvador, and

by Sister Patricia Vargas, director of the EBI of Central America and Mexico, and Sister Blanca Parada, director

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of the EBI of El Salvador.

Based on Joshua 1:1-9, Sister Vargas shared the message “Be Strong and Courageous” with the attendees, and she encouraged the students to take on the challenge of preaching the Word of God. Similarly, Sister Vargas delivered a speech in which she saluted the efforts of the Worldwide Missionary Movement to announce the sound doctrine in America, and she congratulated the graduates from the four branches of the Elim Bible Institute in El Salvador.

OTHER EVENTS

BOLIVIA 15th Anniversary of the Church of Oruro With the attendance of a large group of faithful, the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Bolivia celebrated the 15th anniversary of the central church of Oruro with an evangelistic campaign on February 23 and February 24.

In the first service, Reverend Santiago Guaji, presbyter of Gran Chaco, preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Based on John 6:9, he shared the message “Serving God from a Young Age.” In the second service, Pastor Guaji was the Lord’s messenger once again. Based on Matthew 17:19, he shared the message “Willing, but Not Anointed.”

In the third service, he developed his last preaching aimed at Christian families. Based on Ezekiel 36:1-2, the pastor shared the message “What Has God Planned for My Family this Year?”

At the closing ceremony, Reverend Enrique Valenzuela gave the last message. Based on Romans 8:39, he preached the Word with the speech entitled “A Father’s Unconditional Love and Acceptance.”

NICARAGUA

SWITZERLAND

2nd National Fellowship

Settlement of Workers in Buchs

On March 10, the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Nicaragua held the 2nd National Fellowship 2019 in the Peniel Convention Center of the Work of God, located in the city of Granada.

The meeting of faith was attended by faithful from across the country, and the officers of the Work in Nicaragua talked about the evangelistic work done by the WMM in the Central American nation.

The leaders of the church in Nicaragua we glad to inform of the progress in the white fields of Sapoá (in the department of Rivas), La Flor Blanca (in the municipality of Buenos Aires) and Niquinohomo (in the department of Masaya) and in the church of San Marcos (in the department of Carazo).

Reverend Evangelisto Sánchez, national supervisor of the WMM in Nicaragua and pastor of the church of Rivas, was the preacher of the Word of God. Based on 1 Kings 18:30, he presented the message “Fixing Our Altar.”

On March 15, Reverend Jimmy Ramírez, national supervisor of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Switzerland, welcomed Guatemalan Sister Mayra Alduver Alvarado in the city of Buchs, located in the canton of San Galo. There, she will work to spread the Gospel and the Work of God. The settlement ceremony was attended by Sister Mercedes Lechón, from the church of Basel, and Sister Elizabeth Vargas and her husband, Pasquale Ponticelli, from the church of Ticino. Pastor Ramírez was the main preacher. Based on Ephesians 4:11, he shared the Word with the message “God Raised Pastors.”

UGANDA Clothing Donation Thanks to the support of faithful from the Work in Peru, on March 3, the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Uganda gave away clothes to more than one hundred children. The little followers of Jesus Christ we happy to receive this donation from the church of the Andean nation.

The Work always provides social aid to the brothers and the community through spiritual support and donations, if possible, just as the Lord commands.

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LETTERS FROM OUR READERS CARTAS@IMPACTOEVANGELISTICO.NET

JANUARY 3-10 CONVENTION COLOMBIA, Medellín 21-24 CONVENTION NICARAGUA 25-27 CONVENTION PARAGUAY, Montevideo 31-3 (Feb.) CONVENTION BOLIVIA, Tarija

CELIO ALMIRA Dear brothers of the WMM, God bless you. The magazine is of great blessing and spiritual help. My family and I read the articles together and they have helped us a lot. They have answered many questions and we thank the Lord and the Worldwide Missionary Movement for making Impacto Evangelistic.

From La Habana, Cuba.

FEBRUARY 7-10 CONVENTION BELIZE (ORANGE WALK).

21-24 CONVENTION ARGENTINA (BUENOS AIRES).

MARCH 2-5 CONVENTION PANAMA 14-17 CONVENTION HONDURAS (SAN PEDRO SULA).

14-17 CONVENTION AUSTRALIA (MELBOURNE).

APRIL 11-13 17-21 18-20 25-27 25-28

CONVENTION NEPAL. CONVENTION GUATEMALA (GUATEMALA CITY).

CONVENTION SRI LANKA. CONVENTION DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. CONVENTION GUYANA, SURINAME AND MARTINIQUE, (SURINAME).

26-28 FELLOWSHIP EAST AFRICA PRESBYTERY, CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE).

ROBERTO RODRÍGUEZ Beloved brothers, may the Lord bless you and help you. I’m writing to thank you from the bottom of my heart for Impacto Evangelistic. Since I first read it, God has touched my life in an amazing and special way and has changed the way I am and the way I think. My faith and hope in Christ have grown and now I’m very active in the Work of the Lord, if only from prison. When I received the magazine for the first time, I took the path of the Lord and I’ve lived a victorious life in Christ ever since. God bless the team of the magazine. From Florida, U.S.

ANA LUISA MARTÍNEZ God bless the brothers that work for Impacto Evangelistic. Thank you for sending me the magazine. It’s such a great blessing to my life, just like it is being in the path of my Heavenly Father. When I receive the magazine, I feel blessed and so do my brothers, and we all want to read it at the same time.

Greetings to all members of the magazine. From Holguin, Cuba.

EMMA NIEVES God bless you. Congratulations for your work in the magazine. Impacto Evangelistic is the second most important read in my life after the Holy Scriptures.

Its testimonies and reports of events held in different parts of the world mean that the Work of the Lord is unstoppable. From Arauca, Colombia.

ROLANDO DUARTE God bless you for this wonderful work. Through this magazine, the Lord is blessing many souls. Impact Evangelistic is such an important magazine that has edified the lives of thousands of readers, and God has made many miracles through it. May Jesus Christ continue to help the precious team of this magazine.

Blessings. From Miami, U.S.

GLOBAL AGENDA 2019

MAY 3-5 CONVENTION JAPAN (TOKYO NARITA).

16-19 CONVENTION SWITZERLAND (GENEVA).

16-19 CONVENTION GERMANY AND BLOCK C (HAMBURG).

ALFREDO DOMENECH Blessings, brothers. May God give you the strength and wisdom to keep reaching the lost and helping train the faithful. The magazine is a great blessing for my spiritual life. I thank you deeply, you’re in my prayers.

I ask God to continue supporting the team that makes Impacto Evangelistic. A big hug in the love of Christ.

From Holguin, Cuba.

CARLA BATISTUTA The messages in this magazine are truly edifying. In my congregation, which doesn’t belong to the WMM, we look forward every month to every new issue of Impacto Evangelistic. We share its content as a valuable treasure in our hands. Thanks to its editors. Keep going, may the Lord reward you. From Buenos Aires,

CORRIGENDUM In page 53 of our last issue, it was mistakenly reported that Reverend Juan Castillo is part of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Puerto Rico, but he is in fact a member of the Work in Costa Rica. Impacto Evangelistic apologizes to the aforementioned pastor and to the readers.

You can download the free QR code reader from these platforms:

JULY 2-6 4-7 9-12 12-14 17-20 25-28

CONVENTION COSTA RICA. CONVENTION BRAZIL (MANAOS).

CONVENTION USA, MICHIGAN (GRANDVILLE).

FELLOWSHIP NEW ZEALAND (WELLINGTON).

CONVENTION PUERTO RICO. CONVENTION MEXICO.

AUGUST 8-11 CONVENTION SPAIN AND BLOCK A EUROPE (MADRID).

8-11 CONVENTION HAITI (PORT-AU-PRINCE).

9-11 FELLOWSHIP BRAZIL (SAO PAULO).

13-18 GENERAL AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S CONVENTION AFRICA, EQUATORIAL GUINEA (BATA).

15-18 CONVENTION ITALY & BLOCK B (MONZA).

22-25 FELLOWSHIP WEST AFRICA PRESBYTERY, GHANA (ACCRA).

22-25 CONVENTION ECUADOR, GUAYAQUIL. SEPTEMBER 4-6 CONVENTION VENEZUELA. 13-15 CONVENTION PERU (AREQUIPA).

16-18 CONVENTION PERU (CHICLAYO).

20-22 CONVENTION PERU (LIMA).

25-28 CONVENTION INDIA. 28 WORLD MISSION DAY, SIMULTANEOUS ACTIVITY IN ALL THE COUNTRIES OCTOBER 4-6 FELLOWSHIP CANADA. 18-20 FELLOWSHIP MADAGASCAR. 25-27 CONVENTION MAURITIUS. 31-3 (NOV.) CONVENTION CHILE (SANTIAGO).

NOVEMBER 14-17 CONVENTION EL SALVADOR. 21-24 CONVENTION URUGUAY (MONTEVIDEO) 26-29 CONVENTION MYANMAR.

n Past events n Future events

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May 2019 / Impacto evangelistic

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5

th ANNIVERSARY Church in Helsinki

April 26 to April 27

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