Edition for EUROPE
THE MAGAZINE THAT EDIFIES YOUR LIFE
July 2019 / Edition 786
evangelistic www.impactoevangelistico.net
DEVOTIONAL
WE WILL NOT DRAW BACK LIFE STORY
ELISEO, STAND UP AND PREACH ARCHEOLOGY
THE TRUTHFULNESS OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
Reaffirming the fundamentals of the WMM
SOUND
DOCTRINE
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE
WORLDWIDE MISSIONARY MOVEMENT
MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 2 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceania • Africa • Asia
EDITORIAL
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS NECESSARY Rev. José Arturo Soto B. International President of the WMM
“And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.” Acts 19:6.
God always acts according to His principles
Diana. For this reason, Demetrius, a silversmith, came
and will never lower them, but will always keep
together with other craftsmen and caused a great com-
them high as stated in His Gospel. Now more than ever
motion in the city for over two hours (Acts 19:23-41).
a strong presence of the Holy Spirit is necessary among
The gates of hell shall not prevail against the Church of
God’s people.
God! And they did not prevail against the Church of
We are currently living the last minutes of grace day and God’s people must set many things in order to be prepared to meet their Savior in heaven.
Ephesus. This congregation had won a special place in the heart of Paul, who dedicated to them one of his most
The church of Ephesus was very dear to the heart of
beautiful letters. One of his greatest concerns was that
Apostle Paul. He made some disciples in its synagogues,
the church would stray from its founding principles.
and later Apollos took up the task of edifying the ris-
Paul wished that the columns supporting God’s spiri-
ing church there. However, when Paul returned to the
tual building would never be taken down, only strength-
city to visit the brothers, he realized that although they
ened. Only in this way the Church would stand upright.
had received the Word, something was missing. He
The Church of Ephesus was long-suffering, hard-
asked them, “Have ye received the Holy Ghost since
working, patient under trial, protective of God and His
ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not
Gospel, brave and perseverant. However, God accused
so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost”
them of abandoning their first love and warned them
(Acts 19:2). “And when Paul had laid his hands upon
to repent or face destruction (Revelations 2:2-5). That
them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake
congregation did not obey God’s command and disap-
with tongues, and prophesied” (Acts 19:6). After such
peared when the city of Ephesus was destroyed. Let us
event, a true revival shook the city (Acts 19:8-20).
all take this experience as an example.
This revival of the Holy Spirit ended the idolatry that
Dear readers, the Holy Spirit wants to shape us ac-
had taken over the Ephesians, and merchants were up-
cording to the fullness of Jesus Christ and put in us the
set in fear of losing the profitable business of shrines for
same mind that was in Him. Amen.
July 2019 / Impacto evangelistic
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www.impactoevangelistico.net
evangelistic Founder Director: Rev. Luis M. Ortiz JULY 2019 / EDITION N° 786 (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
France Gabón Ghana Guatemala Equatorial Guinea French Guiana Guyana Inglesa Haití Holland Honduras India England St. Andres Island (Col.) Saint Martin Island Island of Mauritius Rodrigues Island Canaries Islands (Spain) Hawaiian Islands (U.S.A.) Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Kuwait
Madagascar Malaysa México Myanmar Nicaragua Nigeria Oman Panamá Paraguay Peru Portugal Puerto Rico Dominican Republic Romania Sri Lanka Sweden Switzerland South Africa Surinam Trinidad and Tobago Ukranian Uruguay Venezuela
The Worldwide Missionary Movement is a religious nonprofit organization duly registered in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and in the federal capital, Washington DC, with headquarters in both cities and in every state of the United States and other countries where we have established missionary Works. Important The offerings and donations in cash, equipment, real estate and bequests by will, in the benefit of the Worldwide Missionary Movement, Inc.’s Work, are deductible from the income tax, and receipts issued by the WMM are recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of the Federal Government of the United States of America and of the Free Associated State of Puerto Rico. n
Visit our website Obtain uplifting information about God’s Work and keep up with the latest news. A customized access from anywhere in the world: www. impactoevangelistico.net n
If you wish Write to us at our postal address: Worldwide Missionary Movement, Inc. PO Box 363644 San Juan, P. R. 00936-3644 n
Copyright © 2009 Impacto Evangelistic Movimiento Misionero Mundial, Inc. (World-Wide Missionary Movement, Inc.) All content of this magazine and each subsequent edition are duly registered at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC USA. All rights reserved. Total or partial reproduction in any form and translation into other languages without prior permission of the Director are prohibited. Under international copyright agreements, they are crimes punishable by law. n
Doctrinal Statement The Worldwide Missionary Movement adheres to the fundamental doctrines of Scripture, such as: n
Legal deposit made on the National Library of Peru Nº 2011-02530 Christian Pentecostal Church-Worldwide Missionary Movement: Horacio Cachay 388 - La Victoria - Lima 13 - Perú Printout: Quad/Graphics Perú S.A. Segedinski put 72 / 24000 Subotica / Republic of Serbia WORLDWIDE MISSIONARY MOVEMENT office@rotografika.rs / www.rotografika.rs
4 America • Europe • Oceania • Africa • Asia
• The inspiration of the Holy Scriptures: 2 Timothy 3:15-17, 2 Peter 1:19-21. • The Adorable Godhead in Three Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Matthew 3:16-17, 17: 1-5; 28:19, John 17: 5, 24, 26, 16:32, 14:16, 23, 18:5, 6, 2 Peter 1:17,18; Revelation 5. • Salvation by Faith in Christ: Luke 24:47, John 3:16, Romans 10:13, Titus 2:11, 3:5-7. • The New Birth: John 3:3, 1 Peter 1:23, 1 John 3:9. • Justification by Faith: Romans 5:1, Titus 3:7. • Water Baptism by Inmersion, as commanded by Christ: Matthew 28:19, Acts 8:36-39. • The Baptism in the Holy Spirit subsequent to salvation, speaking in tongues according to: Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4, 8, 2:4. • Divine Healing: Isaiah 53:4, Matthew 8:16, 17, Mark 16:18, James 5:14, 15. • The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. • The Fruits of the Holy Spirit: Galatians 5:22-26. • Sanctification: 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 5:23, Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 1:15, 16, 1 John 2:6. • Ministry and Evangelization: Mark 16:15-20, Romans 10:15. • Tithing and Maintenance of the Work: Genesis 14:20, 28:22, Leviticus 27:30, Numbers 18:21-26, Malachi 3:7-10, Matthew 10:10; 23:23. • The Rapture of the Church: Romans 8:23, 1 Corinthians 15:5152, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. • The Second Coming of Christ: Zechariah 14:1-9, Matthew 24:30, 31; 2 Thessalonians 1:7, Titus 2:13, Jude 14, 15. • The Millennial Kingdom: Isaiah 2:1-4, 11:5-10, Zechariah 9:10, Revelation 19:20, 20:3-10. • New Heavens and New Earth: Isaiah 65:17, 66:22, 2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 21:1.
SUMMARY
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DEVOTIONAL
22.- Woman HOW TO BE A MEET
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6.- Cover note THE FUNDAMENTALS OF THE
WMM. For more than half a century, the Worldwide Missionary Movement has kept its guiding biblical fundamentals intact and has protected them against the attacks of the enemies that have tried to change the course set by Pastor Luis M. Ortiz. 14.- Infography DOCTRINAL STATEMENT The Worldwide Missionary Movement was born in the heart of God to preach the Gospel across the world. 16.- Archeology RECENT ARCHEOLOGICAL FINDS IN ASSYRIA CORROBORATE SCRIPTURE Recent archaeological finds in Assyria corroborate the truthfulness of the Bible. 18.- International MAN THINKS HE IS A DOG A man claimed to feel like a dog and wanted to be socially recognized as such. 20.- Science HALF A CENTURY SINCE THE FIRST MOON LANDING Half a century has passed since two American astronauts set foot on the moon for the first time on July 20, 1969; however, there are still some details unknown to the public.
HELP What is the actual role God has given them? They exclusively have to be in charge of doing the household chores, raising the children and looking after their husbands? 24.- Music ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS’ NAME Edward Perronet’s best-known hymn is associated with evangelization and the need to submit to the Redeemer. 26.- Literature THE PROPHETS OF ISRAEL The book by Leon James Wood provides answers that strengthen the reliability of the Old Testament, as well as a better understanding about the Jewish prophecy. 30.- Hero of faith THE VOICE FROM THE PULPIT Justin Fletcher Hurst inspired thousands of Americans with his lessons and preaching. This wise and exemplary pastor was a well-known man of faith. 34.- Life story ELISEO, STAND UP AND PREACH His life was hard. Bedridden and unable to walk, he was just waiting for death to take him. But his faith in the Lord made him stand up. 40.- Apologetics PREDESTINATION (I) If God predestined some for salvation and others for damnation, what about the Bible and the overwhelming biblical evidence against the theory of predestination? 42.- Interview ELIM, THE SEED OF FAITH It has been almost 56 years since Reverend Luis M. Ortiz opened the way for evangelization by training hundreds of people for the missionary work. 44.- Devotional WE WILL NOT DRAW BACK 46.- Devotional LIVING UNDER GOD’S POWER AND GLORY 48.- Devotional THE VINE AND THE BRANCH 50.- Events THE EVANGELIZING WORK DONE BY THE WMM IN THE WORLD 66.- Letters LETTERS FROM OUR READERS
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MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 6 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceania • Africa • Asia
COVER NOTE
THE FUNDAMENTALS OF THE WMM Eliseo Aquino
For more than half a century, the Worldwide Missionary Movement has kept its guiding biblical fundamentals intact and has protected them against the attacks of the enemies that have tried to change the course set by Pastor Luis M. Ortiz.
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COVER NOTE
Reverend José Arturo Soto, international president of the Worldwide Missionary Movement, calls to defend the fundamentals of this Work: the vision, God’s presence, the missionary call, the dignity of the ministry and the Sound Doctrine. The WMM was founded 56 years ago. What are the fundamentals that have allowed its progress and victories? Missionary vision. The main goal of this Movement, which is a movement of God, is the missionary work; hence the name. The name “Worldwide Missionary Movement” was given to Brother Luis M. Ortiz by God. Brother Ortiz would always say, “I’m not the founder of this Work. The Lord introduced it to me. God was the one who initiated it.” That is why our slogan is “This Work was born in the heart of God.” And it was rocked in a missionary crib, which is why we always cross borders and settle in new countries. When I converted to the Lord, back in Costa Rica, there were only six churches; now we are all over the country. In Latin America, there has always been the burning flame of the missionary vision, and we cannot lose it because it is key to the progress of this Work. It is so wonderful to see that missionary work is still a fundamental after 56 years. Dignity of the ministry. The dignity of the ministry is a very special part of the Work. It refers to a Christian ministry with high values and principles. We take God’s call very seriously, and that is why we seek to be always ready for God to use us and our lives. That does
MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 8 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceania • Africa • Asia
not mean that we are perfect, because no one is, but we try hard to be like Christ. A man of God must be prepared to be an instrument in the hands of God. This readiness and willingness to serve the Lord, no matter the place or context, is one of the values that we are proud to say that we have maintained. God’s presence. It is essential, as Moses told the Lord, “If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence” (Exodus 33:15). His request was not in singular but in plural because it included the people. God’s presence is absolutely necessary, and more than necessary, it is essential. God has to manifest Himself and be felt in our churches. We cannot feel fulfilled only with what we are and what we have. We have to seek the face of the Lord, but we have to do so on an ongoing basis; that is Shekhinah, that is God dwelling in the midst of His people. There must be spiritual thirst and hunger and a constant search for God’s presence.
The doctrine is essential because it is the Sound Doctrine. It is not the Movement’s doctrine, as we always state, but the doctrine of the Bible. When we teach and preach, we refrain from expressing our opinion, and use a biblical framework instead.
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COVER NOTE Training of workers for missions. The training of workers has always been a main concern in the Work and still is. The Elim Bible Institute was founded even before the Worldwide Missionary Movement, when the Ortiz brothers began to train workers for the Work in Cuba. Today, the Institute has grown enormously, and workers are being trained for the ministry all over the world. If we failed to train workers, we would be making a big mistake. This is what our Lord Jesus Christ did when he went to recruit people so that they could resume His work after his departure, and so they did. That is the mission of the Elim Bible Institute, our theological school. Doctrine of the Lord. Our doctrine is essential because it is the Sound Doctrine. It is not the Movement’s doctrine, as we always state, but the doctrine of the Bible. When we teach and preach, we refrain from expressing our opinion, and use a biblical framework instead. What are the most important principles to maintain in the Work of the WMM? We cannot change the doctrine. One of the international rules of the Work is the principle that we cannot change our doctrinal fundamentals. We may update some rule based on the change of times, but the Sound Doctrine can never be changed. We cannot change the doctrine we have been living by from the beginning. We cannot change the vision. We cannot change the vision of the Work either. When we talk about vision we talk about not only God’s purposes, but also worldly aspects such as money. There are funds that support the Work in each country, and I myself am in favor of the existence of a budget that may cover contingencies, but the WMM has not been founded to make money. That is also part of the vision. We cannot stop training our brothers. We must prepare our people, the Church. That is what Ephesians 4:12 says: “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” There is an individual ministry that God gives to any child of His, but there is also an ecclesial ministry that has to be progressively developed. The brothers who are part of the Church have to receive biblical training. We have witnessed the fall of councils as old as 40 years. Why did they set aside the Word of God and the Sound Doctrine? What should we do to prevent this from happening to us? It is a very interesting topic and there are many things to consider. The church that loses the vision, the missionary call and flame and the Sound Doctrine loses God’s power as well. And His power is replaced by the doings of a human organization with shallow goals and pastors who see the ministry as a means of becoming rich or famous. With everything else gone, the true values of the ministry go too. Thus, the church becomes a MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 10 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceania • Africa • Asia
The church that loses the vision, the missionary call and flame and the Sound Doctrine loses God’s power as well. And His power is replaced by the doings of a human organization with shallow goals and pastors who see the ministry as a means of becoming rich or famous.
beautiful yet fragile eggshell, an empty perfume bottle that gives off scent but contains no liquid. We have turned 56 years with the help of God, and we hope to keep working until the coming of Christ. We must maintain our same old standards before God so that we do not go astray. We do not want to become part of the dead. That is why we are working on the weaknesses that led fallen councils to the abyss. We want to keep up the good work while it is day, not only in the mission field but also in the personal Christian life. How important is it to maintain the doctrine in all our congregations around the world to ensure unity?
The doctrine is established and supported by the Word of God, and follows the rules of biblical interpretation. And biblical interpretation is not random, it is not based on dreams or visions, because dreams and visions may lead to heresy.
It is critical. One congregation’s doctrine cannot be different from the other, not even in countries with other cultures. The Work is transcultural; we are in regions with other religions, such as Islam and Buddhism, and completely different cultures, as in the case of India, China and the countries of the Middle East. Therefore, we have to be wise and flexible, as some things that are normal to us may not be to them. Once, while in India, I had to put my wedding ring away because it was an offense to the community. They ask me why a pastor wears a ring. I told them that it means that I am married. They wear no ring, but a gold necklace as
I ask all the pastors of the WMM to have the wisdom and sense of seeking the balance between opinion and doctrine. Opinions must be respected, that is a sign of true Christianity, but we cannot distort the Bible. Let us act with humbleness and simplicity, which is what God commands, and let us not be autocratic. a symbol of marriage. Except for little details like these, the doctrine of the Movement, which is the Christian doctrine, cannot change. What message would you give to all our brothers and pastors so that together they defend the Sound Doctrine? The Work has had critical moments along the way. Some have been caused by opinions. Some pastors like stamping their mark on their ministry and thus make serious mistakes. Personal opinion and doctrine are two different things. This Work has a well-defined doctrine as stated in the biblical guidelines that contain the fundamentals.
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MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 12 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceania • Africa • Asia
COVER NOTE The doctrine is established and supported by the Word of God, and follows the rules of biblical interpretation. And biblical interpretation is not random, it is not based on dreams or visions, because dreams and visions may lead to heresy. On the other hand, tension arises when pastors express their personal opinion about something and distort the Bible, or want to impose their sentiments on everyone and made them part of the doctrine of the WMM. For example, some pastors teach that when someone fasts for several days they must not take a shower; and that is not in the Bible. Others say that celebrating birthdays or other Western holidays is paganism or worldliness. The truth is that anything can be made worldly, even Christianity. And birthdays can be celebrated in a good way, or they can be celebrated in a bad way. If someone celebrates with a bacchanal, that is not right; but if someone throws a nice party and thanks God for another year, that is not wrong. Some think differently, and we respect their opinion, just like we ask them to respect the opinion of others. From an extreme point of view, the days of the week would also be pagan. They were introduced by Pope Gregory XIII (hence the name Gregorian calendar) and were named after the classical planets (Monday is the day of the Moon, Tuesday is the day of Mars, Sunday is the day of the Sun). The names of the months were established after the names of Roman emperors. Moreover, we would have to change the name of countries or cities such as St. Louis or San Francisco because they are names of saints. That is not important. I ask all the pastors of the WMM to have the wisdom and sense of seeking the balance between opinion and doctrine. Opinions must be respected, that is a sign of true Christianity, but we cannot distort the Bible. Let us act with humbleness and simplicity, which is what God commands, and let us not be autocratic. How is the progress of the Work worldwide? Have new white fields been opened? How is the Work in Europe developing? There is no doubt that the Work is in clear progress. We can see on Bethel Television and the Impacto Evangelistic magazine that, in recent years, we have reached new borders and countries and have been welcomed to spread the Gospel. For example, in the Middle East, progress is being made in Oman and Kuwait, anti-Christian countries where most people are Muslims. The Work is growing. We have taken big steps forward. We now have potential and many prepared people. In the WMM, there is a hotbed of future missionaries and missionaries who are already doing a good job in different countries.
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DOCTRINAL STATEMENT Worldwide Missionary Movement The Worldwide Missionary Movement was born in the heart of God to preach the Gospel across the world through the supernatural manifestation, power and ministry of the Holy Spirit; therefore, we firmly adhere to the fundamental doctrines of the Scriptures.
DIVINE HEALING - Divine healing is a vital part of the Gospel (Luke 4:18-19; Matthew 10:7-8; Luke 10:9; Mark 6:15-20). - Divine healing is earned by faith (Matthew 9:19-21).
BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT - The baptism in the Holy Spirit endues holy believers with power (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8). - The baptism in the Holy Spirit comes after receiving salvation. No one can be baptized in the Holy Spirit if they have not received salvation before. The apostles were holy (Luke 10:20; John 17:6) but they were told to wait in Jerusalem until endued with power from Heaven. IMMERSION BAPTISM - Those who have repented from their sins and accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord must be baptized by immersion (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16). - Christian baptism is performed by immersion. Even those who practice baptism by aspersion or sprinkling admit that immersion was the original way (Acts 8:36; John 3:23; Acts 8:38). JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH - Man is considered just by God as a result of the faith in Jesus Christ. What God gives us is an undeserved, priceless gift (Romans 5:1; Titus 3:7). NEW BIRTH - The transformation of the faith is a new birth (John 3:3,5) in God and His Word (John 1:13; 1 Peter 1:23). Believers become in fact new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:15). SALVATION BY THE FAITH IN CHRIST - Salvation is a transformation occurred in the soul and life of true believers (Luke 24:47; John 3:16; Romans 10:13).
WORSHIPING GOD IN THREE PERSONS: FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT - The only true God has revealed Himself through the principles of kinship and unity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10-11; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 5:37).
THE INSPIRATION OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES - The Bible is the Word inspired by God through which He communicates with His people (2 Peter 1:19,21; John 5:39; 2 Timothy 3:16). - God’s Word is unchangeable (Matthew 24:35; Isaiah 40:8) and nobody can change it (Revelations 22:18-19); therefore, His teachings, commands and doctrines cannot change.
MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 14 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceania • Africa • Asia
Luis Magín Ortiz Marrero
was born in 1918 in Corozal, Puerto Rico. He founded the Worldwide Missionary Movement in 1963 and presided it until 1995. On September 25, 1996, he went to be with the Lord one day before his 78th birthday. From its foundation 56 years ago, the Worldwide Missionary Movement has had a book with biblical instructions for the newly converted whose content has remained unchanged in all congregations. Now, it can be downloaded from Android’s Play Store.
THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - Since the work of the Church in the world is basically spiritual and supernatural, we need spiritual and supernatural gifts for its proper performance (Ephesians 6:12; 2 Corinthians 10:4). The gifts of the Holy Spirit are these abilities and powers. THE FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - The fruit of the Holy Spirit comes from the presence of God in the life of Christians. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (…)” (Galatians 5:22-26). SANCTIFICATION - God is holy, and so He demands His children to be holy (1 Peter 1:15-16). - Holiness means to be clean from all filthiness (2 Chronicles 29:5, 15; 2 Corinthians 7:1), to have given up sin (1 Thessalonians 4:3; 2 Corinthians 6:14), to dedicated oneself to God (Romans 12:1-2). MINISTRY AND EVANGELIZATION - Evangelization is the mission and duty of the Church, the Lord’s people. The Great Commission is for everyone, especially God’s workers (Mark 16:15-20; Romans 10:15). TITHING AND SUPPORT OF THE WORK - Salvation and God’s blessings have nothing to do with money (Isaiah 55:1-2; Matthew 10:8; Acts 8:18-23); however, we need funds to cover the expenses of the Church and the ministry (Matthew 10:10; 1 Chronicles 9:14; Galatians 6:6; Philippians 4:14-18; 1 Timothy 5:18; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2).
THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH - In the Rapture, the dead in Christ (the Church) shall rise first and those who are pure and holy will be transformed in the blink of an eye, to be with the Lord forever (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).
THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST - The Second Coming of Christ to the world is the blessed hope of believers (Titus 2:3).
THE MILLENNIAL REIGN - The word millennium comes from two words in Latin meaning “thousand” and “year”. The Millennial Reign refers to the earthly thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ (Revelations 20:1-10).
NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH - “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea” (Isaiah 65:17; 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelations 21:1). July 2019 / Impacto evangelistic
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ARCHEOLOGY
RECENT ARCHEOLOGICAL FINDS IN ASSYRIA CORROBORATE SCRIPTURE Recent archaeological finds in Assyria corroborate the truthfulness of the Holy Scriptures. The inscriptions ratify biblical characters and places. None of them contradict the Scriptures and, in fact, they all confirm the historicity of the Bible. In 2014, the Islamic terrorist group ISIS regained control of parts of Iraq, including all of Mosul, where the ancient city of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria was located. For the three years they retained control over this area, they initiated a campaign of cultural destruction, destroying several mosques and tombs (including one on July 24, 2014, which is traditionally believed by Muslims and some Christians to be the tomb of the prophet Jonah). Believing the shrines within these mosques and tombs to be contrary or corrupt according to their strict interpretation of Islam, these types of sites were demolished. In late January 2017, when ISIS was defeated, Mosul and surrounding areas were recaptured by the Iraqi army. THE BLOODY CITY
Nineveh (representing the nation of Assyria) is mentioned frequently in Scripture, as both the enemy and conqueror of the northern kingdom of Israel and harasser of the kingdom of Judah; but also as the nation which repented en masse at the preaching of Jonah. Then, apparently, the Ninevites reverted to idolatry, as later prophets (like Nahum) excoriated them and predicted the destruction of the city of Nineveh and the Assyrian empire. Several of the Assyrian kings are also mentioned, usually in conjunction with their dealings with either Israel or Judah during the Divided Monarchy. In a recent article in Iraq magazine (an archaeology journal published by Cambridge University), the author, Dr. Ali Yaseen Al-Juboori, looked at a number of inscriptions and artifacts from digs conducted in Nineveh, some from 1987–1992 MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 16 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceania • Africa • Asia
that have yet to be published. Other artifacts and inscriptions were recently discovered as a result of tunnels that were dug by ISIS probably looking for buried Assyrian treasures or artifacts, which could be sold on the black market to fund their terrorist organization. Ironically, the digs conducted in 1987–1992 at Nebi Yunus and the Nergal Gate, though productive, were stopped for fear of potentially damaging the mosque and traditional tomb of Jonah. But ISIS had no such compunctions and actually dug deeper into areas that would have been inaccessible to Iraqi and foreign national archaeologists. With the recapture of the city in January of 2017, archaeologists began looking at sites to see what had been demolished or looted. To their surprise, they found a number of tunnels. Although it is certain that some things were looted and other items were broken or damaged, many items had been left untouched by ISIS, because they were deemed nonvaluable and also of little importance (and thus perhaps considered inoffensive). Some of the most important finds, discussed in this journal paper, were inscriptions made by Assyrian kings. The author examined these new finds in March 2017 and reviewed similar inscriptions that were uncovered (but unpublished) in the 1987–1992 digs. THE WRITING ON THE WALLS
Several of the newly discovered inscriptions as well as the ones from 1987–1992 were found on wall panels, and others were found on statues and pillars (or colossi). The author’s English translations from the Assyrian language are below. • The palace of Esarhaddon, great king, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, king of Sumer and Akkad, son of Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria, descendant of Sargon (II), king of the world, king of Assyria. • The palace of Esarhaddon, great king, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, king of Sumer and Akkad; the one who (re)constructed the temple of the god Aššur, (re)built Esagil and Babylon, (and) renewed the statues of the great gods; son of Sennacherib, king of the world, king of Assyria, descendant of Sargon (II), king of the world, king of Assyria.
• The palace of Esarhaddon, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, king of Sumer and Akkad, king of the kings of (lower) Egypt, upper Egypt , king of the four quarters, son of Sennacherib, king of Assyria, son of Sargon (II), strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria. • The palace of Ashurbanipal, great king, mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, descendant of Sennacherib, king of Assyria. THE TESTIMONY OF SCRIPTURE
Of course, all of the Assyrian kings mentioned in Esarhaddon’s inscriptions are mentioned in the Bible and in the correct order. Sargon II (just called Sargon in Scripture) is only mentioned once in Isaiah 20:1; Sennacherib is mentioned several times (2 Kings 18-19; 2 Chronicles 32; Isaiah 36-37). Scripture mentions that he was assassinated by two of his sons and that another son, Esarhaddon, reigned after him. Esarhaddon is only mentioned three times, with the 2
Kings 19:37 and Isaiah 37:38 passages merely recording that he succeeded his father to the throne. Ezra 4:2 also mentions that the Samaritans and the mixed peoples of other nations conquered by Assyria were settled there by Esarhaddon (sometime after the conquest of the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 722 BC). Ashurbanipal, the author of the last inscription above, was the son of Esarhaddon and is also mentioned in Scripture but, depending on the translation, may be called by that name or by Asnappar, Osnapper, or Asenaphar in Ezra 4:10, where he is also listed as an Assyrian king who relocated non-Israelite people to the regions of Samaria. It is worth noting that a few of the inscriptions found in the 1987–1992 excavation, as well as the newly discovered tunnel inscriptions, corroborate biblical people and place-names, as well as the biblical accounts of Assyrian practices. For example, an inscription of Ashurnasirpal II (prior ruler to those mentioned above whose reign is conventionally dated from 883–859 BC) states, “The ancient city Calah which Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, a ruler who preceded me, had built—this city had become dilapidated; it lay dormant (and) had turned into ruin hills. I rebuilt this city. I took people which I had conquered from the lands over which I had gained dominion, from the land Suḫu, (from) the entire land Laqû, (from) the city Sirqu which is at the crossing of the Euphrates, (from) the entire land of Zamua, from Bīt-Adini and the Ḫatti, and from Lubarna (Liburna), the Ḫatinu. I settled (them) therein.” The above Ashurnasirpal II passage not only demonstrates a prevailing methodology of resettlement as recorded to still be practice generations later, as in Ezra 4:10, but the city of Calah is also mentioned in Genesis 10:11-12 Source: https://answersingenesis.org
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INTERNATIONAL
MAN THINKS HE IS A DOG ‘Transgender’ has been a recurring term in the LGBT community for many years, but now there is a new trend: “Trans-species.” It became a trending topic on social networks when a man claimed to feel like a dog and wanted to be socially recognized as such. He was born in the wrong body, as stated by homosexuals.
Theater and lighting technician Tom Peters, 32, rose to fame some weeks ago when he made an appearance on the British TV show This Morning dressed up as a Dalmatian from head to toe. Peters said that he identifies with that animal and wants to be socially considered a trans-species person. “It is a lifestyle… Over time, my lifestyle and persona have grown into the playful puppy you see now… Your mind goes right down into being a puppy,” said the man to the surprise of the audience. His lifestyle, adopted a while ago, caused him and his ex-fiancée Rachel to break their engagement. Nevertheless, they are still friends and she joined him in the TV interview. Rachel said that she is “proud” of his ex-fiancé’s decision: “I’m proud of him for being true to himself. I miss him, that’s why we’re closer than ever.” She explained that she and Tom, who now goes by the name Spot, split up when he decided to “become” a Dalmatian, but they get along well. For his part, Tom (or Spot) stated that his first accessory was an orange collar and a leash, but over the years he has “compiled many suits and accessories to perfect the perfect Dalmatian look.” He is so passionate about his hobby that he has spent over £ 4000 on his obsession. “You can escape from the hectic life of the human race and really be happy… To live the life of a puppy allows you to find enjoyment from simple things in life,” he confessed. Peters is also famous because he helps other “pups” adapt to their canine lives. Astonished users on YouTube and other networks have shared the video and it is now viral. The interview was published on This Morning’s YouTube channel and has hit a lot of views.
(*) With information from the Internet
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WHAT IS TRANS-SPECIES? Trans-species are people who feel like cats, dogs or other animals, disguise themselves as them and act accordingly. They want society to sympathize with their mindset and feelings. They do not feel as humans and think that their body does not match their species. In fact, some of them have taken a step backwards: They want to renounce their human rights and be ruled by animal laws. They want to be acknowledged and accepted without being judged for feeling like animals trapped in human bodies. The definition of ‘trans-species’ dates back to 1970 and it is more complex than it seems. There is no scientific term to define it, but psychologists describe it as gender dysphoria. Tom Peters is not the only case. Many communities around the world identify as trans-species, for example, Transspecies Society. They have famous members such as Neil Harbisson, British-Catalan avant-garde artist and cyborg activist based in New York City. He got famous some years ago for becoming the world’s first officially recognized cyborg and the first person with an antenna implanted in his skull. There are isolated cases as well, such as the Swedish young woman who identifies as a cat. She says that she realized her “feline” features when she was 16. “Under my birth there was a genetic defect,” said during an interview. She also claims to have a more developed sense of hearing and night vision, and she growls at dogs because she does not like them at all.
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SCIENCE
HALF A CENTURY SINCE THE FIRST MOON Half a century has passed since two American astronauts set foot on the moon for the first time, on July 20, 1969; however, there are still some details unknown to the public. (*)
Millions of pages have been written to praise or criticize the adventure of the first moon landing. The political motivations behind the space race between the US and the extinct URSS, Nixon’s undelivered contingency speech should the mission had failed, and the moon landing conspiracy theories are some of the most popular topics. Something that no one talks about –even though it is not a secret– is that one Apollo 11 crewmember celebrated the Lord’s Supper, where bread and wine are used to commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, during the mission. Eugene “Buzz” Aldrin held the ritual privately with a piece of bread, a sip of wine and a tiny silver chalice, all given to him by the Webster Presbyterian Church in Texas. The astronaut himself tells all about it in his book Return to Earth, published in 1973. You might have not heard of Aldrin, as Neil Armstrong was the first to set foot on the moon, thus going down in history as a household name. As described in his book: “I opened the little plastic packages which contained the bread and the wine. I poured the wine into the chalice our church had given me. In the one-sixth gravity of the moon, the wine slowly curled and gracefully came up the side of the cup. Then I read the Scripture, ‘I am the vine, you are
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the branches. Whosoever abides in me will bring forth much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing.’ I ate the tiny Host and swallowed the wine. I gave thanks for the intelligence and spirit that had brought two young pilots to the Sea of Tranquility. It was interesting for me to think: the very first liquid ever poured on the moon, and the very first food eaten there, were the communion elements.” The Webster Presbyterian Church still keeps the chalice used on the moon, and it celebrated the Lunar Communion Sunday every year on the Sunday closest to July 20. The Heritage Auction Galleries sold the page of handwritten notes and scriptures that Aldrin took with him to the lunar surface for 179,250 dollars. Other religious acts were held during the moon landing mission. For instance, a small silicone disc was left on the moon with goodwill messages from four U.S. presidents and 73 other world leaders, seven of which made references to God: the presidents of Brazil, Ireland, South Vietnam and Malaysia, King Baudouin of Belgium, Pope Paul VI, and the Shah of Iran. CENSORED IMAGES
Aldrin, member of the most famous space crew, want-
One year before, in 1968, Apollo 8 successfully orbited the moon 10 times over 20 hours. It was Christmas Eve, and the three crewmembers, Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders, beamed an amazing live television broadcast down to Earth. “Now approaching lunar sunrise. And for all the people back on Earth, the crew of Apollo 8 has a message that we would like to send to you: ‘In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth…’,” Anders read. It was the beginning of the Genesis, and the three astronauts kept reading up to verse 15: “And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day”, they continued. “We close with good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas – and God bless all of you” was the closing of their broadcast. This enraged Madalyn Murray O’Hair, a well-known atheist activist, who filed a lawsuit against NASA. The case was rejected by the Supreme Court, but the space agency demanded that astronauts be more private about their religious beliefs. THE PSALM
ed to record every expression of faith with the cameras available aboard. However, astronauts were forced to practice religious acts with discretion, since NASA disapproved of such expressions.
The Presbyterian astronaut Aldrin had written some verses of Psalm 8 on a piece of paper: “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou has ordained; What is man that thou art mindful of him? And the Son of Man, that thou visitest Him?” and put it on the lunar surface before returning to the spacecraft. Catholic Michael Collins, other Apollo 11 crewmember, wanted to leave a mark of his faith as well. He wrote on one of the craft’s walls: “Spacecraft 107 alias Apollo 11, alias Columbia. The best ship to come down the line. God bless her.” In January 1971, two Apollo 14 crewmembers, Shepard and Mitchell, brought a package containing a microfilm Bible and the first verse of Genesis in 16 languages to the moon. Six months later, during the Apollo 15 mission, James B. Irwin declared after walking on the moon: “I felt the power of God as I’d never felt it before.” In 1998, John Glenn went back to space after 36 years and said, “to look out at this kind of creation out here and not believe in God is to me impossible.” Who knows, maybe we need to be on the moon to find the Lord. As the same National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has already announced, the next lunar mission is scheduled for 2024 and it already has a name: “Artemis”. This mission includes a female crewmember for the first time. (*) Con material tomado de internet.
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WOMAN
HOW TO BE A MEET HELP Eliseo Aquino
For many years, wives have been exclusively in charge of doing the household chores, raising the children and looking after their husbands. But is that the actual role God has given them?
In the beginning, God said that His creation was good: the universe, the plants, the animals, etc. But when He saw the man, He said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him” (Genesis 2:18). God covered all the material needs of the man in the creation: He had lands to farm, food to eat, the perfect weather to not feel hot or cold. Nonetheless, his spiritual needs had not been met. The Lord saw that aloneness was no good for the man; he needed a companion, someone to talk to and share all his experiences with. But not any companion would do, it had to be a meet help, the perfect partner to fulfill the Lord’s plan. The biblical teaching “The Meet Help” by Sister Mariela López reads as follows: “Many women have told me things like ‘My husband left me. He told me he wasn’t happy with me. I just can’t understand why; I took care of him, cooked for him, did his laundry.’ But when asked if their husbands would tell them their problems, trust in them or open up to them, they realized that they had not fulfilled one of the roles for which they were created: to be the meet help. Their husbands were not happy because they felt lonely. One of our duties as wives is to make our husbands feel that we are a help, someone they can rely on.” The article “My Meet Help” by lecturer Héctor Salcedo, MA in Biblical Studies from the traditional Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, reads: “God designed the woman to complement the man in that she
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is just what he needs. And this is what the term ‘meet help’ means. In His grace, the Lord gave men the gift of women, so that they could achieve what they could not by themselves. The creation of women as ‘help’ does not denigrate them or give them a minor role, as many may think. On the contrary, they play a vital role: to complete men in the fulfillment of His plan.” Unfortunately, many have not yet understood the responsibility that God has given women, and that is why some relationships fall apart. In the biblical teaching “Woman, What Is Your Purpose?”, Sister Carmen Valencia writes that, “Women have such an influence on their husbands that they can make them losers or winners. Wives can help their husbands climb higher or push them down a cliff.”
“(…) The creation of women as ‘help’ does not denigrate them or gives them a minor role, as many may think. On the contrary, they play a vital role: to complete men in the fulfilment of His plan.” Some men have had the desire to be successful in life but have failed because their wives, led by the hand of the enemy, stood in their way. When wives become a sting or a burden, their husbands’ life purposes do not work out and go into oblivion, and they looked away from God. However, Sister Carmen also pointed out that there are women of God who fight along with their husbands. They are a precious blessing in the life of their men; they become the support that the Lord gives husbands to prosper in life. The design of woman as a meet help involves conviction, strength and sacrifice, and it shows that men would not become what God expects them to become if it was not for women.
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MUSIC
ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS’ NAME Edward Perronet’s best-known hymn is associated with evangelization and the need to submit to the Redeemer and praise Him. Considered the “National Anthem of Christendom,” “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” was written by Reverend Edward Perronet and published in November 1779 in the Gospel Magazine, which was edited by Augustus M. Toplady. The hymn speaks about our duty as Christians to worship the Savior and our need to submit to Him. Perronet’s song has been translated into several languages and it appears on hymnals from different denominations around the world, thus earning a special place in gospel music. The song focuses on Christ’s authority, supremacy and majesty, stating that the whole world can be given eternal life thanks to His mercy. The internationally renowned composition was written while its author was serving as a missionary in India. The song’s message about preaching and evangelization is closely related to a story concerning preacher E. P. Scott, whose life was spared thanks to the hymn while he was preaching in Southern Asia. In his desire to save souls, Scott had set off to a remote town inhabited by a tribe. He met on the way a group of warriors who pointed their sharp spears at his heart. Thinking he would die, the missionary drew out his violin and began to play and sing “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” in the native language. The preacher was spared and spent the rest of his days spreading the love of the Highest. PERSEVERANT PREACHER
Perronet was born in England in 1721, into a Christian family of French Huguenot refugees. He received Christian education, becoming a faithful believer at a very young age. During MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 24 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceania • Africa • Asia
ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS’ NAME 1 All hail the power of Jesus' name! Let angels prostrate fall; Bring forth the royal diadem, And crown him Lord of all. Bring forth the royal diadem, And crown him Lord of all. 2 Ye chosen seed of Israel's race, Ye ransomed from the fall, Hail him who saves you by his grace, And crown him Lord of all. Hail him who saves you by his grace, And crown him Lord of all. 3 Sinners, whose love can ne'er forget The wormwood and the gall, Go spread your trophies at his feet, And crown him Lord of all. Go spread your trophies at
his feet, And crown him Lord of all. 4 Let every kindred, every tribe On this terrestrial ball, To him all majesty ascribe, And crown him Lord of all. To him all majesty ascribe, And crown him Lord of all. 5 Crown him, ye martyrs of your God, Who from his altar call; Extol the Stem of Jesse's Rod, And crown him Lord of all. Extol the Stem of Jesse's Rod, And crown him Lord of all. 6 O that with yonder sacred throng We at his feet may fall! We'll join the everlasting song, And crown him Lord of all. We'll join the everlasting song,
his youth, he worked closely with John and Charles Wesley and supported them in their endeavors to evangelize the British people, thus strengthening his faith in Jesus Christ. While working with the Wesley brothers, the composer was thrown down and rolled in mud by a mob in Bolton when he was trying to preach about salvation. Later on, encouraged by John and despite his fear of the pulpit, Perronet declared that he would read the greatest sermon ever preached on earth; he read the Sermon on the Mount. After leaving the Wesleys, he became a determined and strong preacher. Near the end of this life, Edward Perronet became pastor of an independent church in Canterbury. He preached the Word not only as God’s minister, but also through the genius he used to compose hymns to praise the Lord. “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” is his best-known composition and it has been used in a simple way to introduce the Gospel and Christianity.
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LITERATURE
THE PROPHETS OF ISRAEL The book by Leon James Wood provides answers that strengthen the reliability of the Old Testament, as well as a better understanding about the Jewish prophecy.
The prophets of Israel hold a unique place in the history of Israel. In fact, it was a unique place in respect to all the Middle East of Old Testament day, and, because of their writing, their influence has been of prime importance in world history. They were great men, courageous men; they were guides for proper religious belief and correct conduct to a people that continually strayed from the Law of their God. Israel Mattuck speaks of “the towering place which these prophets held in the religious history of the Jews.” The Prophets of Israel was written by Leon James Wood based on a detailed research about the life of the servants who spread God’s message in the ancient Near East during the first days of the chosen people. The book not only introduces these historical figures, but also reveals the important role they played in the Jewish faith. A generation ago, it was common for scholars to see Israel’s writing prophets as basically innovators of new teaching. It was believed that these men introduced new ideas relative to monotheism and ethical requirements; they were the first to think of God as the only God and to see Him as requiring proper ethical conduct on the part of His worshippers. Of late, however, many are calling these prophets reformers rather than innovators, saying that their message was not new but had been implicit in the teachings of Israel for some years past. This more recent position is much more in keeping with the presentation of Scripture. Wood’s book was published by Backer Book House in 1979. It offers a summary about all the prophets of Israel, from the oldest to the latest ones, and describes their background. Based on the Old Testament, it also provides a particular view on the work done by these prophets called to the ministry by the Lord. KEY RESEARCH
Prophets, on the other hand, did not live in assigned cities. They often lived in the cities of their birth, and moved out from there to discharge their assignments. They are never seen in a local class-type instructional situation, but are depicted as moving among the people, urging conformance to God’s requirements. This means that the prophet’s works as reformers presupposed the work of the priests as instructors. The priests addressed the minds of the people, informing them what the Law said; the prophets built on this instruction and addressed the hearts of the people, urging obedience to what had been taught. The book is divided in two parts. The first addresses common topics about the general prophetical movement, while the second analyzes the personal life of the prophets. It must be noted that the latter also reveals the efforts of these servants of God to stop the advance of idolatry and sin. MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 26 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceania • Africa • Asia
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LITERATURE Wood’s book was published by Backer Book House in 1979. It offers a summary of all the prophets of Israel, from the oldest to the latest ones, and describes their background.
The Bible accords Elijah a place of unique importance in three ways. The first is that he was one of two men who did not have to die. Enoch was the other, of whom it is said, “Enoch walked with God, and he was not; for God took him” (Genesis 5:24). God honored Elijah by providing a special arrangement so that he “went up by whirlwind into heaven” (2 Kings 2:11). A second is that he was one of two that God permitted to appear on the Mount of Transfiguration, when Jesus was there with three of His disciples (Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36). The other person was Moses, and of course the importance of Moses needs no elaboration. The third is that when Jesus asked the disciples concerning the identity people attributed to Him, one of the answers was regularly “Elijah” (Matthew 16:14). That people gave this answer shows the importance Elijah played in their thinking. The Prophets of Israle provides answers that strengthen the faith in the Scriptures, and it can be used by believers to face critics and defend their positions with valid arguments. Based on the Word inspired by the Highest, this is Wood’s most relevant writing. The American theologist, born in 1918, preached and taught the sound doctrine with great conviction. DEFENDER OF THE WORD
Our attention now reverts to the northern nation and to the prophet Elisha, who followed Elijah. Elisha’s ministry began with the translation of his master Elijah, early in the reign of Jehoram. Jehoram was the second son of Ahab, succeeding Ahaziah, the first son, who ruled only two years. The scriptural account of Elisha is presented in the form of eighteen short stories, all but two of which transpired in the reign of Jehoram, who ruled twelve years (2 Kings 3:1). The two stories not from Jehoram’s time fell in the reign of Jehoash. In between, both Jehu and Jehoahaz ruled but nothing is told about Elisha during their time. Leon Wood, who died in 1977, was a man of faith who encouraged thousands of believers to study and MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 28 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceania • Africa • Asia
The book is divided in two sections. The first addresses common topics about the prophetical movement, while the second analyzes the personal life of the prophets.
read the Bible and left important lessons in his writings used by the Christian community worldwide. He studied at Calvin Theological Seminary and New York University. He worked as professor of the Old Testament Studies and Dean of the Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary from 1945 to 1975. The general date of Jonah is fixed by a reference to him in 2 Kings 14:25, which speaking of Jeroboam II, says, “He restored the coast of Israel from the entering of Hamath unto the sea of the plain, according to the word of the Lord God of Israel, which He spake by the hand of His servant, Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet, which was of Gathhepher.” Therefore, we can conclude that Johan lived during the time of Jeroboam II and was actively ministering by a time soon enough to minister to him that he would conquer areas to the north of Israel. Wood’s legacy contributes to a thorough understanding of the Jewish prophecy. The American author, who defended the veracity of the Holy Scriptures and the supremacy of the Lord, includes the writing and non-writing prophets in his research, both from the pre-monarchy period as well as during the monarchy in Israel. The first exilic prophet was Daniel, who was taken in the first aspect of the captivity, 605 B.C., which would have been about the time Habakkuk wrote his prophecy. The second was Ezekiel, who was taken in the second aspect of the captivity, 597 B.C., when Habakkuk may have still been alive, and Jeremiah was continuing his vigorous ministry. Of these two, Daniel was not a prophet in the sense of an occupation. His work in Babylon was as an administrator in the palace rather than a preacher among the people. He is classed as a prophet, however, because of the remarkable predictions God gave him in his visions, and because of the prophetic book he wrote. Ezekiel, on the other hand, was very much a prophet and did preach among the people, serving especially as a shepherd to the captives in the foreign land.
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HERO OF FAITH
THE VOICE FROM THE PULPIT Alberto Osborn
Justin Fletcher Hurst inspired thousands of Americans with his lessons and preaching for more than six decades. This wise and exemplary pastor committed with spreading the Word until his last breath. This faithful believer preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ for 43 years. Based on his writings and published works, it is estimated that he produced 2500 messages throughout his long pastoral life. Recognized as one of America’s most renowned Christians from the 19th century, John Fletcher Hurst played an important role in spreading the Word in the world’s first power. He was also the first chancellor of the American University of Washington. John Fletcher Hurst was son of Elijah Hurst and
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Ann Catherine Colston, two Christian believers committed to sharing of the Good News. He was born on August 17, 1834 in Salem, Maryland. The tender and loving ministrations of his mother, stronger in faith and mental powers than in body — for she suffered repeatedly from asthma — and the upright and vigorous example of his father, both parents leading a positive Christian life, combined to give to his childhood a beautiful setting and development. On 3 May 1841, 7-year-old John lost his mother, but her spiritual teachings remained with him and guided him through the path of the Highest for the rest of his life. Fletcher, who had learnt at home to write and read, began to go the common school where he gain more knowledge about the Holy Scriptures, becoming an early preacher who would talk about God to other children. Supported by his father, the preacher-to-be made an important decision concerning his future. He entered the Cambridge Academy, a private institution that had won a good public standing for secondary education and the preparation of young men for college. It was a huge step towards his objective of becoming God’s servant. There, he learnt different subjects and strengthened his calling. Guided by experienced teachers, he prepared to apply for university. In August 1849, John, who was now a teenager, lost his father and became fully orphaned. He went under the charge of his uncle John Hurst, a successful merchant in Baltimore who helped him in his most difficult times. Some years later, he experienced firsthand the love of God while he was still trying to overcome the loss of his father. He was going home from church when a change came over him. A light broke out before him and the Lord revealed him that he had a new heart. DILIGENT BELIEVER
Fired up by Christ, John became an avid attendant of a local church and participated in all the campaigns organized by missionaries who came there to spread the Word. It was during those times that he saw President Jesse Peck of Dickinson College preach near his home and was invited to attend the College in the fall. He entered in September 1850. John became an active member at Dickinson College, located in Pennsylvania. As a diligent and methodical student, the young man cultivated his mind and strengthened his morals and faith in God. Similarly, he was already publishing small writings in various religious magazines before the end of his freshman year, and soon gained a reputation for gentle dignity and hard work. As a role model of honesty and integrity, John made great efforts to spread the Gospel.
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HERO OF FAITH
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In August 1849, John, who was now a teenager, lost his father and became fully orphaned. He went under the charge of his uncle John Hurst. Some years later, he experienced firsthand the love of God while he was still trying to overcome the loss of his father. He was going home from church when a change came over him. A light broke out before him and the Lord revealed him that he had a new heart. In November 1896, Princeton University conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. Consistent with his faith, Hurst used literature as a means to spread the Word and his writings were published in different American media.
Following his graduation in 1854, John was eager to put what he had learnt into practice and he took up a teaching post in Greensboro for a few months. He then moved to the state of New York, where he attained a position at the Hedding Literary Institute of Ashland as professor of ancient languages. He also studied German in Carlisle and got ready to depart for Europe. He traveled to Germany in August 1856 and enrolled as a theology student at the Martin Luther University of Halle. There, he spent some time learning more about the Scriptures and studying the Sound Doctrine of Jesus. John also embarked on missionary trips by foot, train and ship to England, Scotland, and other European countries where he strengthened his conviction to exert the pastoral ministry. Upon his return to the United States near the end
of 1857, his conviction that he should enter the ministry of the gospel, which had ripened into a clear call to that high vocation, led him to seek for a field where he might find employment for the gifts and graces which many leaders of the church saw and knew to be his. After a short visit to Charlottesville, John preached his first sermon at the Methodist Episcopal Church of Cambridge in December 6, 1857. He also preached the Gospel in Carlisle and then joined the Methodist Church in New Jersey, where he stayed until 1866. INSPIRING PROFESSOR
On October 20, 1866, Hurst sailed from New York to Germany to take up a position as theological tutor at the Methodist Mission Institute in Bremen. He proved to be a talented professor and won the hearts of his students. Two years later, the organization went to Frankfurt, and so did he. There, he resumed his doctrinal work and devoted himself to translating Christian writings from German to English. He rose to director of the Institute but left in August 1871 to become professor of Historical Theology at the Drew Seminary in Madison, New York. In May 1873, he was named as that institution’s president, remaining as such until May 1880. In parallel with his educational career, as part of his efforts to spread the message, he organized Methodist conferences across the American territory. In 1888, Hurst took the bishop’s residence in Washington, D.C. where his main task was to be the foundation of a post-graduate university under the auspices of the Methodist Church. He selected the site and made possible the purchase of land in 1890 that was going to become the site of American University. He was elected as its first chancellor on May 28, 1891 and remained in that post until December 1902. In November 1896, Princeton University conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. Consistent with his faith, Hurst used literature as a means to spread the Word and his writings were published in different American media. He authored a great number of books among which were many about the history of the Christian church, thus contributing to the expansion of the Gospel and the growth of Christianity throughout the ages. The well-versed and inspiring preacher died on May 4, 1903 after fighting the good fight of faith for more than six decades. Respected by his contemporaries and admired for his way of teaching, John Fletcher Hurst encouraged thousands of people to strengthen their faith in God with fresh and interesting messages. This obliging pastor and inspiring master told great spiritual truths with a magnetic voice from the pulpit.
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LIFE STORY
ELISEO, STAND UP AND PREACH Eliseo has had a hard life. Bedridden and unable to walk, he was just waiting for death to take him. But hope and faith in the Lord our Healer made him stand up and preach. STEVEN LÓPEZ PHOTO: FAMILY FILES
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The life of Eliseo Enrique Márquez Bernal has been hard for as long as he remembers. His father abandoned him at birth and only his mother took care of him. He was born on December 21, 1969, in the district of Chame, west of Panama City. Six years later, his mother met another man who would constantly beat him for no reason. At 12, Eliseo could not breathe normally and was diagnosed with asthma. But the condition did not prevent his stepfather from mistreating him on a daily basis. He cried every day in his room, and one day he heard a voice say, “Kill him. End this.” The days went by and the voice kept echoing in his mind. One afternoon, while his stepfather was lying on bed, Eliseo saw the opportunity to kill him. However, another voice spoke to his heart and he resisted the temptation. God was working in him. Tired as he was of the violence, he ran away from home when he was still very young and met Olga Rodríguez. But the relationship did not last long. Eliseo could not find peace. His asthma condition was getting more and more serious and no doctor could find relief for his ailment. One day, some neighbor approached him and told him: “I know why you can’t breathe. Take these three pills and then come look for me.” With the medication, the respiratory discomfort was gone, so he went to see the man. They talked and then he checked his spine and lower back. Feeling a slight pressure, intense pain invaded Eliseo and he fainted almost instantly. He woke up in the hospital. After 33 X-rays, the doctors told him that he had worn discs and a crooked spine. Eliseo’s life had lost its meaning; he was ill and alone. Sometimes he would hit himself against the wall to feel pain other than that of the spine. He even began stealing money from work to buy stronger painkillers. Overwhelmed by pain, he went to a private practice. The doctor that examined him recommended him to attend the next appointment with his wife. The following day, Eliseo begged his ex-girlfriend to come with him. She accepted reluctantly. When the doctor saw the woman, he said without hesitation, “You should think about finding another person to spend your life with. Your husband’s disease has no cure.” The woman left without saying a word. Eliseo rushed home in despair and heard the dark voice of his childhood again. Now it was not asking him to kill someone, but himself.
“Kill yourself, there’s no hope!” it repeated. He went to his room and looked for some wire
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LIFE STORY
FIND ME AND YOU WILL HEAL
to hang himself; he just wanted to die. When he was about to do it, he remembered the words of a Christian friend who used to visit him to talk about God. He looked up to heaven and told Jesus Christ. “Lord, I don’t want to die; I just want to be healthy.” At that moment, a light shone in the dark. Eliseo fell to the floor. The fall hurt him, but he was alive. God was giving him a second chance. After catching his breath, he left the room and tuned the radio to a Christian station. This is the first thing he heard: “Why have you attempted to kill yourself? Your life does not belong to you. I’m your maker, I’m your maker, I’m your maker! “ MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 36 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceania • Africa • Asia
The words on the radio made him pass out. He regained consciousness three hours later. Alone, in the middle of the room, he saw water around his weak body. One day, his ex-girlfriend’s family, who attended the church of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Panama, invited him to a youth convention. This time, the voice in his mind said, “Don’t go, nobody can heal you.” Eliseo fought the inner voice and decided to go anyway. Once in the temple, he saw the Word of God touch people’s lives. At the end of the event, the pastor ordered the usher brothers: “Close the doors, let no one leave because God will work miracles tonight.” Shocked, he just wanted to leave, but the ushers urged him to stay. “This man is crazy. He uses people for his lies,” he thought. The pastor invited the sick to group together according to their ills. Soon, those who suffered from the kidney, heart, stomach, and so on, were together. Seeing that no one called those with a bad spine, Eliseo thought. “If God were here, they would call me, but He is not, so this is fake.”
He went to his room and looked for some wire to hang himself; he just wanted to die. When he was about to do it, he remembered the words of a Christian friend who used to visit him to talk about God. He looked up to heaven and told Jesus Christ, “Lord, I don't want to die; I just want to be healthy.�
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LIFE STORY
Then, the pastor raised his voice in the middle of the five thousand people gathered at the stadium:
and said these words to Eliseo:
“God has brought a man here to heal his spine,” he cried out.
“You don’t believe, but for you to know that I’m God, I can tell you that you have a spine problem. Today, God will heal you.”
Several minutes later, the pastor approached to pray
The pain disappeared immediately. God had done
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market when he had a car accident. He was taken to the hospital, but his diagnosis was hopeless: multiple fractures throughout the body, the left leg broken in fourteen parts, and the right leg split in six. He was never going to walk again. He was connected to a mechanical ventilator and, given his condition, the specialists advised the family to disconnect him. He was beyond all hope. After thirteen days in the intensive care unit, God worked in his life once again and he woke up from the coma. Faced with his miraculous recovery, doctors could not believe their eyes. Eliseo spent 30 days in the hospital, and was discharged against medical advice. However, he was far from being fully recovered. He could not walk and his legs were constantly swollen. He felt abandoned by God. With an 8-month-old girl, his family was going through much hardship. “Lord, why didn’t you prevent this accident?” Look how hard our life is now,” he said. Home alone, Eliseo remembered the words of Pastor Obando, who visited him in the hospital. “If you believe and declare that you will not walk again, so it will be; but I declare by faith that you will walk again; God will visit you,” Pastor Obando said. As he recalled the words, God spoke to his heart: “Stand up. I’ll manifest my glory, you’re going to walk today.”
the first miracle in his life. From that moment on, Eliseo began to attend church with his ex-girlfriend. A few months later, he was baptized and began serving in the Work in the city of Pacora. I WILL TEST YOUR FAITH
On November 13, 2001, Eliseo was on his way to the
A few minutes later, Eliseo felt as if someone fixed his legs and healed his wounds. He began to walk slowly as tears flooded his eyes and the presence of God filled his life. He was baptized with the Holy Spirit. When his wife came home, she was amazed by the miracle and they both thanked God. Eliseo underwent several checkups, and the doctors were astonished when he saw him walking. Several months after the second miracle, a new disease showed up: chronic osteomyelitis, and the only medical solution was to amputate his leg. However, the prayers prevented the evil from taking over his body. The glory of God manifested itself greatly in him. Eliseo’s inexplicable and sudden healing left doctors and nurses speechless. They had witnessed a miraculous healing. Currently, Eliseo Enrique Márquez Bernal serves as pastor in the church of La Mesa de San Martín, along with his beloved wife and four children: Cristina, Eliseo, Ruth and Débora. What was impossible for man was possible for God.
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APOLOGETICS
PREDESTINATION Rev. Luis M. Ortiz
If God predestined some for salvation and others for damnation, what about the Bible and the overwhelming biblical evidence against the theory of predestination?
In the Holy Scriptures, more than sixty-five verses speak about God’s great love for man. It was such holy and just love –incomprehensible, unfathomable and indescribable as it is– that motivated and inspired the Lord to plan and fulfill His great purpose of making us His children ( John 1:12-13) by being redeemed not “with corruptible things, as silver and gold… But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you” (1 Peter 1:18-20). GOD’S PURPOSE
Augustine, called St. Augustine, was born in 354 AD. Under the influence of his mother, Monica, he adopted Christianity in his youth. He led a licentious life for many years, but at 33 he embraced the Gospel once again. In the year 387, he was baptized in water; in the year 391, he was ordained a priest in Africa; and in the year 398, he was elected Bishop of Hipona Regia. Forty years before Augustine was born, Constantine, the most Machiavellian of all Roman emperors, had pretended to convert to Christianity. As Roman emperor, he was also Supreme Pontiff of Babylonian paganism, and because he cunningly made the Church an integral part of the State, he was also the Supreme Head of the Church. It was not that the Church conquered the State, but that the State conquered the Church. Under the imperial protection, false concepts about the Lord and His Gospel, as well as heretical interpretations and doctrines, were introduced into the Church. In this proliferation of heresies, Augustine claimed that God predestines, or chooses, those who through His grace will obtain salvation, and leave others in their deserved damnation. MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 40 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceania • Africa • Asia
“The theory of Augustine,” as Erasmus and others called it, unleashed a hurricane of controversy that reached Europe, North Africa, and India. According to Augustine’s theory, God predestines some for salvation and others for damnation. Nothing is further from the truth of God’s love, justice and wisdom, from the overwhelming biblical evidence and from the human experience! The Church at that time rejected and buried “the theory of Augustine,” and more than a thousand years later, John Calvin unearthed his teachings and tried to give them a consistent and harmonious framework, but failed. Calvin often refused to make conclusive statements about such teachings when his followers asked him to. After Calvin’s death in 1564, Beza and others of his followers continued to add many speculations to the theory of predestination; among them, that “Christ
died only for the predestined.” Even today, this is a controversial issue. John the Baptist, with a powerful and sure voice, introduced Christ by saying, “Behold the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world” ( John 1:29). Note that he did not say that he takes away the sin of the predestined, but of the world. The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, and said that Christ “gave himself a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:6). And in 1 John 2:2, referring to Christ, he claimed that, “he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only [those already saved], but also for the sins of the whole world”. In Hebrews 2:9, he says that Jesus died “for every man”. What does the best-known verse in the Bible say? “For God so loved the world [not the the predestined], that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever [not the predestined] believeth in him should not per-
ish, but have everlasting life” ( John 3:16). Our Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross for the whole world, that is, for every man in the whole world, in all generations. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53: 6). And why are not all saved? Because not everyone believes! Jesus said, “he that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God...” ( John 3:18-21). And why do some believe and others do not? Simply because when God created man, He created no slave, no automaton, no robot, no computer; but God created man “in his image,” with a spirit, a privileged mind, a brilliant intelligence, with free will, that is, with the power and ability to analyze, reason, decide and act with reflection of choice.
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INTERVIEW
ELIM, THE SEED OF FAITH Steven López
It has been almost 56 years since Reverend Luis M. Ortiz opened the way for evangelization by training hundreds of people for the missionary work. Many men and women have continued the task in different countries through the Elim Bible Institute. Luis M. Ortiz’s vision regarding the evangelization and spreading of the Word has been adopted by Sisters Patricia Vargas Gutiérrez and Eunice Lozada, who lead the Elim Bible Institute (EBI) in Central America. They shared with us their experiences and love for the education in Christ.
What is the vision of the Elim Bible Institute? Patricia Vargas (PV). The Elim Bible Institute’s vision is educational. It provides education services with two different purposes: to train members of the church, and to train workers of the church to enhance their ministry. Eunice Lozada (EL). We try to establish the fundamentals of the Worldwide Missionary Movement all over the world through cooperative efforts to provide education and training concerning God’s Work. How has the Elim Bible Institute evolved over the last 56 years? EL. The fundamentals that were born in God’s heart and were established by Luis M. Ortiz have guided not only the Worldwide Missionary Movement but also the Elim Bible Institute. Out teachers need to be trained. Because we want the EBI to reach every corner of the world, we use new methods according to the MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 42 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceania • Africa • Asia
reality of each country but we also keep the principles of Pastor Ortiz. The Elim Bible Institute was created in 1964 in Puerto Rico. How has it been taken to other countries? PV. Luis M. Ortiz established the headquarters in Puerto Rico to train future pastors and missionaries who would support the vision and growth of the WMM. The initiative was so successful that the training was replicated through intensive courses in such countries were the Word was being spread. But the WMM had grown in such a way that pastors had to wait too long to be trained. Inspired by God, Reverend Manuel Zúñiga suggested training teachers so that they could also train others in Central American countries without an EBI. Has the Elim Bible Institute been welcomed in Central America? PV. We successfully talked and came to an agreement with 50 pastors from Central America (from Mexico to Honduras). In South America, the Elim Bible Institute was already making great efforts and sacrifices to train workers. Later on, the EBI’s strategy changed; not only pastors were trained, but also teachers so that they could train locals in their own country. EL. God helped us give teachers the pedagogical and technical resources for them to teach EBI’s courses. This initiative was very well received because of both the theological and educational advantages. Schools with literacy programs were founded to provide education to the brethren who, due to different circumstances, did not graduate from school. What kind of educational support was provided? PV. Thanks to our Savior’s support, brethren with no school education who entered the Elim Bible Institute were motivated to resume their studies and even to pursue a major. What is the main requirement to be accepted at the Elim Bible Institute? EL. Our institution is open to anyone willing to study the Scriptures and to gain the knowledge needed to face a world that rejects the biblical principles. How do you feel about EBI’s growth worldwide? PV. Thanks to God’s grace and mercy, we are part
of a team that joins efforts to open new paths all over the world. To visit some country and see that the vision has been adopted is such a great satisfaction. The Creator distributes the seeds and we sow them in each student according to IBE’s motto: “We come to learn, we leave to serve.” What are your final words for the countries with no Elim Bible Institute?
EL. We want to reach as many countries as God allows us to. PV. Elim Bible Institute’s anthem recites: “Wherever there is need, I promise to give a helping hand.” Christ is coming soon and we want to fulfill our commitment with God and the Work we love. We have witnessed how the fruit of God’s Word changes lives, communities and nations.
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Dear brethren, we can say that the Work of the Worldwide Missionary Movement is going forward for the glory of God. Souls are saved, the ill are healed, miracles are worked, brothers and sisters are baptized in the Holy Spirit, new churches are founded, the number of ministers keeps increasing, the missionary and evangelizing work is at full capacity, and congregations are growing in souls reached through individual efforts, home visits to the unconverted, evangelistic campaigns, prayer and intercession, the spreading of God’s Word, the Sound Doctrine, and the pure testimony of a holy life. Believers have turned to us after having left worldly temples full of adultery, divorce, shallowness, mystical therapies, and mundane, useless pastoral counseling. They know now that there is still “balm in Gilead” ( Jeremiah 8:22), that there are true people of God out there full of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word, who preach by example with holy lives and not with empty, flowery, dead words. These understandably frustrated believers come to our churches full of spiritual life, God’s Word and presence, the Holy Spirit’s power and anointing, and Jesus Christ’s grace, and ask us to take them in. We do not seek followers, we do not entice people, we do not offer anything to anyone. When we talk with frustrated believers, they tell us that they do not want to go back to where they come from because of the poor spiritual situation, the reigning worldliness and the prevailing sin. Our pastors ask them to bring a letter from their previous leader. Some pastors send a transfer letter, others do not, but the frustrated believers keep attending our church and they are eventually welcomed as members of the congregation when they give proof of pure testimony. Naturally, when they become part of the Work, we do not immediately appoint them co-pastors, treasurers, secretaries, deacons, superintendents of Sunday Schools,
teachers, or leaders of men, women, youth or children. At first, they watch, they compare, they are spiritually strengthened, they learn, they are edified, they rejoice and they serve the Lord according His Word and will. They look “for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13), because “every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (1 John 3:3). In November 1983, the Lord spoke to my spirit while I was praying and told me that He has built this Work to reach places that have never been reached before, but also as a safe haven for those who love Him but are hungry for God’s Word and thirsty for the Holy Spirit’s water where they are now. The Lord also told me that He would lead them away from those spiritual deserts to the place where the will receive the bread of the Word and the water of the Holy Spirit. Glory to God! God may be glorified and honored for helping us keep the Christian principles, convictions and concepts, as well as the Sound Doctrine that comes from the Holy Bible. This is what we learnt from the Pentecost pioneers who came from Puerto Rico in 1916, some of whom were pastors from my childhood and youth, my wife Rebecca’s and our families’. Many who used to live by God’s Word now despise and mock the biblical teachings and the Sound Doctrine, thus despising and mocking our holy pioneers. We are constantly insulted by the “progressive”, “liberal” slaves of darkness, but we can gladly say that we stand strong for the glory of God, that we keep the doctrine that we were taught (2 Thessalonians 2:15), and that we take care of our souls. We do so because thus we shall be saved as well as those who listen (1 Timothy 4:16), and because “we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul” (Hebrews 10:39). Glory to God! Amen.
DEVOTIONAL “But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” Hebrews 10:39.
Rev. Luis M. Ortiz
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DEVOTIONAL “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:4-5. Rev. Rodolfo Gonzalez Cruz
LIVING UNDER GOD’S POWER AND GLORY We are precious and powerful instruments for God regardless of our age or background. Nothing
is impossible for God. What may seem useless for us, God will make it useful because He has the power to do so. There are no excuses. Do not say that you are too young because God can give you wisdom; do not say that you are too old, because the Lord can make you feel young again; do not say that you cannot speak, because the Lord works miracles. He has the power to do it, so just commend yourself to Him. Do you know what the secret is? If you pray, confess, and humiliate before Him, He will answer. Psalm 115:3-8 states: “But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.” In the past, many would give up their children to be burned as offering, and today many practice witchMISSIONARY MOVEMENT 46 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceania • Africa • Asia
craft, spiritualism and idolatry. Nevertheless, our God cleanses us from all those devilish abominations. God has placed the devil under our feet to crush his head. “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19). Our God wants to make great things and use us under His Power and Glory. Jesus-Christ can do what is impossible for doctors and psychologists. No threat, no blow, no jail, no earthly thing, no human capacity can change us, but only God can. Millions of people all over the world have been changed, freed and transformed by the power of God, the Lord of hosts, and Jesus-Christ, our Lord and Savior. A servant of God must be endued with divine power and glory to overcome any circumstance in life. Some preach very well with beautiful sermons, but
their churches are empty, with no new souls, no possessed freed, no ill healed, no manifestation of God’s power and glory. We have to humiliate ourselves, pray and call out God’s name for the Lord’s hand to help us. We need God’s anointing and the Holy Spirit’s power to obtain victory. We need men and women of faith who believe in God and His precious Word and act in the name of the Lord. God said that we do not need to worry about our eloquence, as the Holy Spirit will put the right words in our mouths. PhDs, articulateness, beautiful and well-prepared sermons are not necessary, but God’s manifested power and glory are. The devil is enraged; he knows that he has little time left. We have ventured into the devil’s den through media such as the radio and the Internet, and we have thwarted his doings thanks to the power of God’s Word. Everything was created by God: Thrones, powers,
principalities, angels, archangels and cherubs. He did not create the devil, though. The devil was a beautiful cherub that became too arrogant. The Lord delighted in that cherub’s creation, but he doomed himself when he dared to be like God. Those who want to be great or important do not please God, because He wants humble people. God dislikes pride, haughtiness, arrogance and selfsufficiency. God wants the humble that do not see themselves as too important, that acknowledge God’s glory, that know that all honor belongs to Him now and forever; those who are aware that we have to totally depend on God’s power, glory and knowledge and not on our own. Rely on the Lord and not on your own good judgement. Trust God and wait in Him. He will act. We have to inspire new believers. Christ said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” ( John 16:33). This is a pitched battle, but we will win as long as we have God’s power and glory and we are holy and righteous. We will be the head and not tail, we will be above and not beneath. That is God’s promise for us. The devil and his minions will be cast away because the Almighty is with us; He said: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18). Acknowledge the Lord as the Almighty. Do not neglect the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Fight in the name of Jesus-Christ, humiliate yourself before the Lord and confess to Him whenever you are attacked by the demons of lust. Ask for his blessing and power to succeed! Victory will be attained as long as you keep away from evil and sin. Ask for forgiveness, be faithful, pray, and fast; God will set you free. There is power in the name above all names, in the name of Jesus, to live fully under the power of the Holy Spirit.
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DEVOTIONAL “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5.
Rev. Ramón Aponte
THE VINE AND THE BRANCH The branch is attached to the vine because the latter allows the first to receive nutrients and bear fruit. The duties of the vine and the branch are quite different. The first offers life and abundance, while the second has to remain attached to flourish. In short, the branch is attached to the vine, and there it grows, develops and receives what it needs to live a strong, fruitful life. Christ said to his disciples, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” (John 15:1-8). In Romans 8:35-39, the apostle Paul makes some questions and refutations about what may lead us away from Christ, our true Vine: “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or hunger, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? […] In all these situations we are more than conquerors through the one who loved us. Therefore, I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor the present, nor the coming, nor the high, nor the deep, nor any other created thing can separate us from love of God, which is in Jesus Christ our
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Lord.” Likewise, Philippians 4:13 reads as follows: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” All of the above becomes a reality in the life of Christians who are in constant communion with the Vine. The preposition “through” (“through Christ”) perfectly conveys the idea that the Lord Jesus Christ is our supportive, reliable, trustworthy friend. Why are there sad Christians for whom the Word of God is a burden and going to church, annoying? It is simple, because they are not attached to the Vine, and therefore, they do not benefit from the spiritual life and food that it provides.
Christians’ reliance on Christ cannot be partial or incomplete, but absolute. God has to be in each and every aspect of our life: spiritual, physical, material. This is essential for believers. Our beloved Lord clearly warned that, because we are branches, we can do nothing when we are apart from Him (John 15:5). Dear readers, the branch that has broken off the vine has no value; not even its wood can be recycled to make something useful. The sap that the vine provides to the branch contains all the elements necessary for it to be fruitful. Our full reliance on
God makes us not desire the things of the world, because we already have a life of fullness in Him. The fruitless branches are thrown into the fire, as the Lord Jesus Christ reminded those who listened to his predictions. Due to its nature, the wood of the branch cannot keep the fire burning, and it only becomes ashes blowing in the air. Are you attached to the true vine? Are you getting the sap that will make you a fruitful branch? Christ’s warnings are clear. Let us go back to a true communion with God and an exclusive reliance on Him. God bless you.
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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).
FOOD FOR A PEOPLE AT WAR Event: 1st National Convention of the WMM in Switzerland. Date: May 16 - May 19. Place: Geneva, Switzerland.
With the special participation of Reverend José Arturo Soto, international president of the Work of God, the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Switzerland held its 1st National Convention at the Ramada Encore Hotel of Geneva. In the opening service, Reverend Carlos Medina, national supervisor of the WMM in Spain and supervi-
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EVENTS
sor of Block A of Europe, preached the Word through the message “Food for a People at War,” based on 1 Samuel 14:24-31. In his teaching based on the Holy Scriptures, Pastor Medina said, “We are at war since we accept Christ. There is a great fight in the spiritual world. Good against evil. Light against darkness. And so it will be
until Christ comes for His Church.” In the second service, Pastor Soto preached the Gospel of God. Based on Matthew 16:13-20, the preacher shared a message about the history of the Worldwide Missionary Movement. In his speech, the international leader of the WMM stressed, “The Worldwide Missionary Movement was
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EVENTS
founded in 1963. Where? In spiritual terms, it was born “in the heart of God,” as our Brother Ortiz used to say; in legal terms, it was born in Puerto Rico.” In the third service, Reverend David Echalar, supervisor of Block B of Europe, shared the Gospel of Christ through the message “The Blessing of the Lord’s Dinner,” based on Exodus 6:6-8. GOD’S INSTRUMENTS
From the pulpit, Pastor Echalar said, “You and I, in one MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 52 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceania • Africa • Asia
way or another, have failed the Lord and need to acknowledge our sins and to humble ourselves before the Lord. There is an Almighty God in heaven that sees everything.” In the fourth service, Reverend Juan Castaño, vice president of the WMM in Spain, shared the Word of God with the sermon entitled “God’s Instruments to Fulfill His Purpose,” based on 1 Kings 17:1 and 18:41-45. In his preaching, Pastor Castaño said, “God has His own plans, projects and purposes. All that God does means something. Sometimes human beings can’t un-
derstand that God has His reasons, but everything He does has a purpose.” In the fifth service, Reverend Soto preached the Word of the Lord once again. Based on Matthew 16:13-20, he delivered a preaching about the progress of the Work. In his biblical message, the servant stressed that, “The Work began when an ordinary man with a missionary experience of decades was called, prepared and raised by God to follow His vision. Brother Ortiz received that vision in Cuba.”
In the sixth service, the promotion of workers took place. Two brothers and five sisters were promoted, and Pastor Soto preached the Gospel. Based on 2 Corinthians 10:4-13, he resumed the history of the Worldwide Missionary Movement. In the last message of the 1st National Convention of the WMM in Switzerland, the missionary said, “If you take some passage out of the Bible, you can give it any meaning you want it to have. And that is precisely what people who give way to heresy do.”
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EVENTS
YOUNG MAN, PUT ON YOUR STRENGTH Event: 5th anniversary of the church of Martos, visit of Reverend Humberto Henao to Valdepeñas, evangelistic campaign in Santander, and 11th anniversary of the Youth Society of the WMM in Barcelona. Date: May 11, May 12, May 22, May 24 and May 25 Place: Martos, Valdepeñas, Santander and Barcelona, Spain
In order to strengthen the faith of the youth of the Work of God, the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Spain celebrated the 11th anniversary of the Youth Society of the congregation of Condal in the city of Barcelona. The event took place on May 24 and May 25 under the theme “Young Man, Put On Your Strength.”
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On the first day, Reverend Clemente Vergara, international officer of the WMM and the event’s special guest, shared the Lord’s message entitled “We Have Not Changed,” based on Malachi 3:6. On the last day, Pastor Vergara evangelized the people of God once again. Based on Psalm 37:25, he pre-
sented the sermon “Young People with Motivations and Goals.” SANTANDER FOR CHRIST
On May 25, the WMM in Spain held an evangelistic campaign in Santander, capital city of the autonomous community of Cantabria. A group of brothers preached the Gospel on the city’s main streets. The faithful of the Work in Spain, led by the head of the church of Santander, gave out Christian leaflets and copies of the Impacto Evangelistic magazine and talked about the healing power of Jesus Christ. True to the Holy Scriptures, the brethren in Santander sowed God’s Word in the hearts of those who listened to the message of the Lord for humanity with joy and hope.
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EVENTS A LITTLE MORE EFFORT
On May 22, the ever-growing church of the WMM in Valdepeñas received the visit of Reverend Humberto Henao, international vice president of the Work, who verified the progress of the Word in this city of the province of Ciudad Real. During his visit to Valdepeñas, Pastor Henao strengthened the local faithful’s faith in Jesus Christ and presided over a special worship. Based on 2 Kings 13:14-19, he shared the message “A Little More Effort”. In his preaching, Reverend Henao said that there is blessing in the efforts of Christ’s followers. He also emphasized that the members of the Worldwide Missionary Movement must always seek the Lord. FROM GLORY TO GLORY
On May 11 and May 12, under the theme “From Glory to Glory and Power to Power,” the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Spain celebrated the 5th anniversary of the church of Martos, located in the province of Jaen. On the first day of the meeting of faith, Reverend David Echalar, national supervisor of the WMM in Italy and of Block B of Europe, announced the Good News. Based on Genesis 49:1, he shared the message “The Key of Blessing.” At the close of the 5th anniversary of the church of Martos, Pastor Echalar shared his second message. Based on 2 Timothy 1:7, the missionary offered a preaching that touched the heart of believers and allowed the Lord to manifest Himself among them.
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EVENTS
WOMAN IN THE HANDS OF THE GOD OF THE IMPOSSIBLE Event: 7th Women Fellowship of the WMM in the Netherlands Date: March 22 - March 24 Place: Enschede, Netherlands
Under the theme “Woman in the Hands of the God of the Impossible,” the Worldwide Missionary Movement in the Netherlands held its 7th Women Fellowship in Enschede, a city located in the province of Overijssel. Sisters from the churches of the Netherlands,
MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 58 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceania • Africa • Asia
Germany, Belgium, United Kingdom and Luxembourg came to worship the Lord. On the first day, Sister Ruth Paisible, secretary of Block C of Europe, shared the Lord’s message entitled “In the Hands of the God of the Impossible,” based on Ruth 4:14-18, and talked about the obedience, submission and the good example of Christian women. In the second service, Sister Madeleine Cabrera de Garzón, from the church of Hamburg, announced the Good News of Christ. Based on Jeremiah 18:3-6, she shared the message “What Is It to Be in the Hands of the
God of the Impossible?”, in which she claimed that being in the hands of God is living in peace. STRONG WORD
In the third service, Sister Brunela Cabrera de Merchán, officer of Block B of Europe, preached to the believers who gathered in Enschede. Based on Matthew 7:25, she shared the message “In the Storm I Have Learned,” and highlighted that the Lord is capable of doing great things for His followers. At the close of the 7th Women Fellowship of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in the Netherlands, Sister Jeanet Ibarra de Echalar, from the church of Genoa, shared the Sound Doctrine of the Work of God. Based on Mark 10:27 and Matthew 9:21, her preaching exhorted the people to seek the Master. During the three days of the meeting of faith, the Lord manifested Himself in different ways and strengthened the spirit of the participating women. Likewise, His Word touched deeply the hearts of a group of people who decided to convert to Christianity and went up the altar to be filled with His infinite power.
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EVENTS
GET READY TO FIGHT THE DESTROYER Event: Baptism ceremony and 3rd National Convention of the Block C of Europe Date: May 4, May 16, May 17, May 18 and May 19 Place: Frankfurt and Hamburg
From May 16 to May 19, with the participation of Pastors Humberto Henao and Clemente Vergara, the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Germany held the 3rd National Convention of Block C of Europe in Hamburg, a city located in the north of the country. In the opening worship, Reverend Henao, international vice president of the WMM, delivered the sermon “Unfinished Projects.” Then, in the second service, Reverend Vergara, international officer of the Work, shared the message “Charcoal Burning by the Presence of God.” In the third worship, Pastor Henao preached the Word with the message “Get Ready to Fight the De-
MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 60 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceania • Africa • Asia
stroyer.” Afterwards, Pastor Alexander Montes, national officer of the WMM in Spain, shared the sermon “The Lord Needs You.” In the fifth service, Brother Vergara was the preacher of the Gospel with a message based on John 6:63. At the close service of the event, Reverend Henao presented his third message, “God, the Man and His Time.” In the 3rd National Convention of Block C of Europe, some brethren were promoted: Sisters Diana Balanta, Ruth Richardson and Luz Valderrama, Brothers Manuel Sauce and Gerley Arboleda, and Pastors Sergio Veizaga and Jesús Galván. GOD’S GRACE
On May 4, the WMM in Germany held a baptism ceremony in Frankfurt, with the special participation of Pastor Edward Flores, head of the church of Berlin, who led the service and announced the Good News. Sister Rosa María de Feuerbach and her daughter
Elpke Theresa Feuerbach, after receiving the Sound Doctrine of the Lord, descended into the baptismal waters and accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. Brother Flores announced the Good News with the message “Grace of God,� based on Romans 8:31-39, thus strengthening the faith of the flock of Christ.
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EVENTS
ARISE AND GET ON WITH IT Event: 12th National Fellowship of Men of the WMM in Italy Date: April 12 - April 14 Place: Rome and Genoa, Italy
The Worldwide Missionary Movement in Italy held its 12th National Fellowship of Men in Rome and Genoa. The two events took place under the theme “Arise and Get On With It” and served to consolidate the progress of the Work in Italy. The faithful of Zone South gathered in Rome, where Reverends Daniel Ortega, Luis Valderrama and David
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Echalar, national supervisor of the WMM in Italy and supervisor of Block B of Europe, preached the Gospel of the Lord. The faithful of Zone North gathered in Genoa, where Reverends Alberto Rodríguez, Galo Flori, Hugo Lope, David Echalar and Jimmy Ramírez, leader of the church of Geneva, announced the Good News of Jesus Christ and shared the Sound Doctrine. The 12th National Fellowship of Men of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Italy allowed believers in this country to praise the Lord and receive God’s power for two days.
CHURCHES OF THE BLOCK A OF EUROPE SPAIN
TENERIFE NORTE: Avenida San Miguel de Chimisay 11 VALDEPEÑAS: Avenida de los Estudiantes 74 u GRAN CANARIAS: Calle Alfredo Calderón 48 u LANZAROTE: Calle José Pereyra Galviaty 13 u u
ZONE 1
BARCELONA LA SAGRERA: Calle Costa Rica 31 ZONA FRANCA: Plaza de Cristofol 5 HOSPITALET: Avenida Masnou 35, local 7 SANT JOAN DESPI: Calle Bonavista 29 RIPOLLET: Calle Virgen de Montserrat 7 TERRASSA: Calle Príncipe de Viena 22. u
ZONE 2
MADRID CIUDAD LINEAL: Calle Sambara 167 ENTREVIAS: Calle Manuel Laguna 33 GALAPAGAR: Calle Calvario 22 u FORCADILLO: u FUENLABRADA: Avenida de las Regiones 2, local 60 u SESEÑA: Calle Lavadero 8 u PARLA: Calle Pablo Casal 22 u
ZONE 3
VALENCIA: Paseo La Petxina, 65 u ALICANTE: Calle Virgen de Fátima 8 u ELCHE: Avenida Libertad, 7 u PALMA DE MALLORCA: u IBIZA: Calle Fra Vicente Nicolau 5 u
ZONE 4
ZARAGOZA: DELICIAS: Calle Desidero Escosura 29 TORRERO: Calle Granada 21-23 u ARNEDO: Avenida Logroño 10 u BUROS: Polígono Industrial Pentasa III, nave 93 u SORIA: Calle Marmullete 1, bajos 42002 u
ZONE 7
CASTELLÓN: Calle Ricardo Català 17 REUS: Calle Camí de riudoms 17 u GIRONA: Calle Montfalgars 7-9 u MOLLERUSSA: Calle Cervera 7 u LLEIDA: Calle Rogers de Lluiria 66 u u
ZONE 8
SALAMANCA: Calle Pinzones 10 ÁVILA: Paseo Santo Tomas, 46, bajos 2 u VALDEMORILLO: Calle Eras Cerradas 3 u SEGOVIA: Avenida Vía Roma, 21 u u
PORTUGAL
SÃO JOÃO DA MADEIRA: Rua Infante Santo 185 LISBON: Rua Vale de Santo Antônio 146-A u MADEIRA ISLAND: Estr. Regional 226, entr. 24 u u
FRANCE u u
SWEDEN u u
ZONE 5:
VIEDO: Calle Coronel Boves, 26 SANTANDER: Calle Valderrama, 5 u LA CORUÑA: Calle San Isidoro, 54 u PAMPLONA: Avenida de Navarra 2-4, San Jorge u IRUN: Calle Blas de Lezo 18, Colón
PARIS: 73 Boulevard de la Boissière 93130 Noisy-Le-Sec GRENOBLE: 51 Rue Thiers 38000
STOCKHOLM: Hagalndsgatan 9, Solna MALMÖ: Norregatan 12, 21127
u u
DENMARK
SLAGELSE: Verdensmissionsbevægelsen, Bredegade 16, 4200 u
ZONE 6
SEVILLA|: Calle Fernán Sánchez de Tovar 4 MARTOS: Avenida Europa 154 u JAÉN: Calle Hermanos Pinzón 8 u
FINLAND
u
u
KERAVA: Asemanaukio 7
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VISIT OUR CHURCHES IN ITALY!
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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
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 because of its testimonies and reports of events held in different parts of the world. That means that the Work of the Lord is growing. From Arauca, Colombia.
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).
LUIS LÓPEZ I can’t stop thanking God for the blessing and privilege of being part of the ministry of this Work. I receive the magazine every month and enjoy reading its edifying messages. I also feel happy when I see the pictures of the different activities that our brothers hold in Puerto Rico and other faraway places. From Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.
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).
GUIDO ROMERO
MAY 3-5 CONVENTION JAPAN (TOKYO NARITA). 16-19 CONVENTION SWITZERLAND (GENEVA). 16-19 CONVENTION GERMANY AND BLOCK C (HAMBURG).
As a student of Theology at the Evangelistic Center I attend, Impacto Evangelistic meets all my expectations and allows me to gain a greater knowledge of God. May God continue to enlighten you. From San José, Costa Rica.
ELENA AGUILAR The magazine is a blessing for thousands of people, especially the youngest ones. I encourage you to keep making this magazine, always with the support of the Word of God. The Lord bless you all. From Cochabamba, Bolivia.
JUAN MARTÍNEZ I’ve read the magazine’s messages and they’re a blessing. I was looking for Christian magazines, and only Impacto Evangelistic has cleared up my doubts. Thank you again. From Jalisco, Mexico.
ANA CALDERÓN God bless all brothers who work in the WMM, especially in the Impacto Evangelistic magazine. What a beautiful magazine! It edifies our soul more and more every day. I invite all the brethren to support the Work of God so that it can carry on. God bless you. From Caracas, Venezuela.
KARINA SOTO God bless you. This magazine is such a great blessing. It has been very helpful for me and for those I have shared it with. God continue blessing you. From Arica, Chile.
GLOBAL AGENDA 2019
DÉBORA HERNÁNDEZ Dear brothers, God bless the team that make possible the edition of Impacto Evangelistic. Its content, good Word and Sound Doctrine are a great blessing. You’re always in my prayers. Thank you so much. From Florida, USA.
SILVIA TOTORA Dear brothers, I greet you and ask God to bless you. Impacto Evangelistic is a blessing for our lives. Keep working hard, and keep the fire of the passion for lost souls burning. Without a doubt, written media are useful to reach many people. Nothing is impossible for our God. The Lord continue rewarding you. From Cochabamba, Bolivia.
JUAN SANTOS Greetings and blessings. I wish you all the best in the work you do, brothers of Impacto Evangelistic. I read the magazine for the first time in 1984. I subscribed and received it monthly. Now I’m happy to read it online at any time. From Guatemala, Guatemala.
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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 MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 66 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceania • Africa • Asia
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BAPTISMS SPAIN 2019
Do not miss the baptisms of ZoneNorth of Spain!
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JULY MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 68 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceania • Africa • Asia
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