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evangelistic

THE MAGAZINE THAT EDIFIES YOUR LIFE

May 2017 / Edition 760

Argumentative responses and clarifications to questionings

CHRIST’S DEITY OFFICIAL PUBLICATION

WORLDWIDE MISSIONARY MOVEMENT

TESTIMONY

DEVOTIONAL

LITERATURE

Sabina’s unhappy childhood

“The end is come”

The way to God

Great adventures with Joel and Ruth TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS

MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 2 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

editorial

REMEMBER WHAT YOU

HAVE RECEIVED

Rev. Gustavo Martínez International President of the WMM

“Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast…” Revelation 3:3.

O

ne of the greatest traits of human beings is

thee this day…” God urged the people to remem-

memory. All things, that happen in our life,

ber how it was saved, blessed, guided.

both good or bad, from childhood until death, are

In Revelation 3:3, the apostle John writes to the

stored in it. But what is learned in childhood rema-

church of Sardis: “Remember therefore how thou

ins in us in a very special way; and so the Bible says

hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent.

in Proverbs 22: 6: “Train up a child in the way he

If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on

should go: and when he is old, he will not depart

thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour

from it.”

I will come upon thee.” Jesus said: “I came not to

The Church works hard to teach the Word of God

judge the world, but to save the world…the word

to all children, as we firmly believe that they have a

that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in

great potential that can be used in favor of God. In

the last day” (John 12:47-48).

many parts of the world, we observe that people

That is, you cannot forget what you have heard

educated from a very early age are able to practice as

from God; whether you like it or not, the Word of

adults what they learned in childhood.

God will judge you, save you or condemn you. If

God gave humans memory to retain the com-

you have obeyed, you will be blessed, justified and

mands that He had established. In Deuteronomy

be freed from guilt; but if you have been rebellious,

4: 9, God gives a command to the people of Israel:

this same Word can sentence you and condemn you.

“Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul dili-

For this reason, beware that you do not forget

gently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes

where God took you from, how your life was before

have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all

knowing God. There is always a “before and after.”

the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and

Before knowing God: a hollow, empty, meaningless

thy sons’ sons.” God teaches us to hold, memorize,

life. After knowing God: blessed, strengthened, sus-

remember and store what we have seen and heard

tained and helped by the Lord. You might say like

about His wonders and greatness. In chapter 8:11,

the prophet Samuel, “Hitherto hath the Lord hel-

it also says: “Beware that thou forget not the Lord

ped us” (1 Samuel 7:12). As long as you are in the

thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and

hands of God, He will continue to take you forward,

his judgments, and his statutes, which I command

fulfilling His purposes in your life.

May 2017 / Impacto evangelistic

3

www.impactoevangelistico.net

evangelistic Founder Director: Rev. Luis M. Ortiz MAY 2017 / EDITION N° 760 (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

INTERNATIONAL BOARD MEMBERS OF WMM INC. Rev. Gustavo Martínez President Rev. José Soto Vice President Rev. Rubén Concepción Secretary Rev. Rodolfo González Treasurer Rev. Álvaro Garavito Director Rev. Margaro Figueroa Director Rev. Rómulo Vergara Director Rev. Humberto Henao Director Rev. Luis Meza Director CHURCHES ESTABLISHED IN: Germany Argentina Aruba Australia Austria Belgium Belize Bolivia Bonaire Brasil Cameroon Canadá Chile Colombia Congo Ivory Coast Costa Rica Curacao Dinamarca Ecuador El Salvador Spain United States The Philippines Finland

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The Worldwide Missionary Movement is a religious nonprofit organization duly registered in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and in the federal capital, Washington DC, with headquarters in both cities and in every state of the United States and other countries where we have established missionary Works.

Important The offerings and donations in cash, equipment, real estate and bequests by will, in the benefit of the Worldwide Missionary Movement, Inc.’s Work, are deductible from the income tax, and receipts issued by the WMM are recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of the Federal Government of the United States of America and of the Free Associated State of Puerto Rico. n

Visit our website Obtain uplifting information about God’s Work and keep up with the latest news. A customized access from anywhere in the world: www. impactoevangelistico.net n

If you wish Write to us at our postal address: Worldwide Missionary Movement, Inc. PO Box 363644 San Juan, P. R. 00936-3644 n

Copyright © 2009 Impacto Evangelistic Movimiento Misionero Mundial, Inc. (World-Wide Missionary Movement, Inc.) All content of this magazine and each subsequent edition are duly registered at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC USA. All rights reserved.

Total or partial reproduction in any form and translation into other languages without prior permission of the Director are prohibited. Under international copyright agreements, they are crimes punishable by law. n

Doctrinal Statement The Worldwide Missionary Movement adheres to the fundamental doctrines of Scripture, such as: n

Legal deposit made on the National Library of Peru Nº 2011-02530 Christian Pentecostal Church-Worldwide Missionary Movement: Av. 28 de Julio 1781 - Lima 13 - Peru Printout: Quad/Graphics Perú S.A. Av. Los Frutales 344 - Lima 03 - Peru MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 4 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SUMMARY Search us in

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14 / INFOGRAPHY. Christ’s Deity

30 / HERO OF FAITH. The Apostle of the Mongols DEVOTIONALS 40 / THE END IS COME. Rev. Luis M. Ortiz

42 / WAITING ON GOD. Rev. Álvaro Garavito

Christ’s Deity

6

Life story

28 / MUSIC. Majesty

Interview

24 / LITERATURE. The Way to God

Current news

20 / CURRENT NEWS. The Conquer of Pablo Escobar’s Neighborhood

Cover Note

18 / HEALTH The Dangers of Dengue

“The Work Is Growing”

The Isolated Reign of North Korea

22 16

Sabina’s Unhappy Childhood

34

44 - 64 / INTERNATIONAL EVENTS The Word of God in Naples 65 / OTHER EVENTS.

56 / Event.

66 / LETTERS - AGENDA.

May 2017 / Impacto evangelistic

5

CHRIST’S

DEITY

P

eople today have a number of common objections, or difficulties with, the issue of the deity of Christ.

This article briefly discusses some of them, in particular some that arise among people who are quite familiar with biblical statements and phraseology.

Josh McDowell y Bart Larson

“My Father is greater than I. “Jesus said, ‘My Father is greater than I’ ” (John 14:28). “Surely that demonstrates Christ’s position as somehow lesser than God” is one difficulty commonly raised.

It is true that in His role as bond-servant while on earth, Jesus occupied a lower rank than the Father. Such a rank, however, does not deny His divine nature. In that same passage, Jesus told Philip, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how do you say. ‘Show us the Father’?” (John 14:9). That statement makes clear that Jesus and the Father are one in nature. To have seen one was to have seen the other (John 12: 44-45). Therefore, Jesus’ words that the Father was greater referred to His temporary position, not to His being.

Here we will quote extensively from Arthur W. Pink’s excellent work on this passage in his Exposition of the Gospel of John: “My Father is greater than I.” This is the favorite verse with Unitarians, who deny the absolute Deity of Christ and His perfect equality with the Father… The Savior had just told the apostles that they ought to rejoice because He was going to the Father, and then advances this reason, “For my Father is greater than I.” Let this be kept definitely before us and all difficulty vanishes. The Father’s being greater than Christ was the reason assigned why the disciples should rejoice at their Master’s going to the Father. This at once fixes the meaning of the disputed “greater,” and shows us the sense in which it was here used. The contrast which the Savior drew between the Father and Himself was not concerning nature, but official character and position.

Christ was not speaking of Himself in His essential Being. The One who thought it not robbery to be “equal with God” had taken the servant form, and not only so, He had been made in the likeness of men. In both these senses, namely, in His official status (as Mediator) and in His assumption of human nature, He was inferior to the Father. In the Prayer which follows in chapter 17, the Lord Jesus is represented as the Father’s Servant, from whom He had received a commission, and to whom He was to render an account. But there is another sense, more pertinent, in which the Son was infeMISSIONARY MOVEMENT 6 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

cover note

May 2017 / Impacto evangelistic

7

rior to the Father. In becoming incarnate and tabernacling among men, He had greatly humiliated Himself, by choosing to descend into shame and suffering in their acutest forms. He was inferior to the Father. The contrast then was between His present state of humiliation and His coming state of exaltation to the Father! It was Christ owning His place as Servant, and magnifying the One who had sent Him. God the Father is the “head” of Christ. The same relationship of greater and lesser is illustrated in 1 Corinthians 11: 3: “But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.” In this passage, three comparisons are made: man to Christ, man to woman, and Christ to God. The third comparison between Jesus and God is the one under discussion here. “God is the head of Christ.

Doesn’t that sound like superiority?” Note that this comparison MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 8 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

has to do with patterns of authority; it does not imply inferiority and superiority. Instead, while on earth, in order to identify with humankind, Jesus voluntarily put himself under the Father’s headship.

Jesus was subject to the Father. Another verse that shows Christ’s relationship to the Father also raises questions. “And when all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, that God may be all in all” (1 Corinthians 15:28). Here, the verb subject again does not imply inequality of persons, but a difference in roles.

Subjection refers only to function, and submission does not necessarily imply inferiority.

Think of it. In order for God to atone for man’s sin, someone had to subject Himself to death. Yet only one who had unlimited ability to atone for sin could do that, only a perfect man. He had to

cover note

have the unlimited ability to atone, because He would be shedding His blood for all humankind. He had to be perfect because God accepts only unblemished sacrifices. Who could do that? Only God. And God the Son shed His own blood for us (Acts 20:28). Obedience is a key word.

As a perfect man, Christ had to be obedient to God and thus fulfill God’s plan to redeem humanity. Jesus voluntarily submitted to that plan, to God the Father, in order to save humanity from eternal separation from God. Jesus was “begotten.” Some people maintain that the term “only begotten” in John 3:16 (also 1:14, 18; 3:18) denies Jesus’ divinity, implying that He was only another created being. The word “begotten,” as used in John’s Gospel, means “unique, specially blessed or favored.” C. S. Lewis clearly illustrates the meaning of “begotten” when he writes: One of the creeds says that Christ is the Son of God “begotten, not created;” and it adds “begotten by his Father before all worlds.”

Will you please get it quite clear that this has nothing to do with the fact that when Christ was born on earth as a man, that man who was the son of a virgin? We are not now thinking about the Virgin Birth. We are thinking about something that happened before Nature was created at all, before time began. “Before all worlds” Christ is begotten, not created. What does it mean?

We don’t use the words begetting or begotten much in modern English, but everyone still knows what they mean. To beget is to become the father of; to create is to make. And the difference is this. When you beget, you beget something of the same kind as yourself. A man begets human babies, a beaver begets little beavers,

As a perfect man, Christ had to be obedient to God and thus fulfill God’s plan to redeem humanity. Jesus voluntarily submitted to that plan, to God the Father, in order to save humanity from eternal separation from God. and a bird begets eggs which turn into little birds. But when you make, you make something of a different kind from yourself. A bird makes a nest, a beaver builds a dam, a man makes a wireless set–or he may make something more like himself than a wireless set: say, a statue. If he is a clever enough carver hey may make a statue which is very like a man indeed. But, of course, it is not a real man; it only looks like one. It cannot breathe or think. It is not alive.

Now, that is the first thing to get clear. What God begets is God, just as what man begets is man. What God creates is not God, just as what man makes is not man. That is why men are not Sons of God in the sense that Christ is. They may be like God in certain ways, but they are not things of the same kind. They are more like statues or pictures of God. In Hebrews 11:17, Isaac is called the “only begotten son” of Abraham, though Abraham had two sons, Isaac, and Ishmael.

May 2017 / Impacto evangelistic

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“First-born,” however, does not mean “first-created.” When Paul stated that Christ was “the first-born of all creation” (Colossians 1:15), he used the Greek word prototokos, which meant “heir, first in rank.”

If anything, the language of the Bible is consistent with the doctrine of the Trinity, just as in Matthew 28:19 the noun name (singular in Greek) is used to express “the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

Thus, the writer of Hebrews was using “begotten” in its “unique, specially blessed or favored” sense. The same is true in John 3:16 of Jesus (the only difference being that God had one Son and Abraham had two).

Jesus was a man. A possible stumbling block that might keep some individuals from accepting the divinity of Christ is that Jesus is clearly said in the Bible to have been a man. For example, one reads: “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). Romans 5: 12-21 speaks of sin being atoned for through “man, Jesus Christ” (verse 15).

Although it is true that Scripture teaches that Jesus was human, it also teaches that He was divine. He was a man, born of the Virgin Mary, but He was also God (John. 1:1, 14; 20:28; Colossians 2:9; Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 1:1; Hebrew 1:8). Paul emphasized Jesus’ divinity, saying his message came not from men nor from a “man” but from “Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1: 1). Jesus was a “man,” but he was also “Yahweh,” “Son of God,” “Lord of lords,” “King of kings” and “the Alpha and the Omega.”

Jesus was called the first-born of creation. Some people get confused over the word first-born, thinking it must mean “firstcreated.” That would imply that Jesus was only a created being, not preexistent, or eternal, or God. MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 10 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

“First-born,” however, does not mean “first-created.” When Paul stated that Christ was “the first-born of all creation” (Colossians 1:15), he used the Greek word prototokos, which meant “heir, first in rank.” Had he intended to say “first-created,” he would have used the Greek word for first created, protoktistos. Nowhere in Scripture does it say that God “created” Jesus.

In his Theology on the Person of Christ, Lewis Sperry Chafer states: “This title–sometimes translated First-born–indicates that Christ is First-born, the elder in relation to all creation; not the first created thing, but the antecedent to all things as well as the cause of them (Colossians 1:16).” Jesus could not have been the first created being and also the agent by which all creation came to be, as is claimed for Him in Scripture. If he was the agent of all creation, then He Himself could not be created.

Jesus and God were “one in agreement.” Jesus said, “… I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and my Father are one” (John 10:28-30). Was Jesus claiming to be one and the same as God (i.e., as ice and water are “one” in nature); or was He claiming only to have a oneness, unity in purpose, or agreement with God? The text indicates the former.

cover note

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First, the Jews to whom He was speaking–who culturally were in a position to interpret His words better than anyone 2,000 years later–understood Jesus to be saying that He was “God.” They took up stones to stone him “... for blasphemy… because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God” (John 10:33). Second, in Greek, the word one is neuter (hen), not masculine (heis), which indicates that Jesus and God were one and the same in essence. The masculine form would mean that they were a person, which would deny the personal distinction between the Father and the Son. The section of John that follows is Jesus’ response to the charge of blasphemy. To a Jew versed in the Law, His words made sense.

To anyone unacquainted with the Jewish understanding of the Old Testament, it can be a difficult and easily misunderstood passage, especially as it relates to the matter of the deity of Christ. The passage reads: Jesus answered them, “Has it not been written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’? If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.” Therefore, they were seeking again to seize Him; and He eluded their grasp (John 10:34-39).

Much of the confusion has to do with Jesus’ use of the word gods (verse 34). Was he saying: “Other men have been called ‘gods.’ Why cannot I call myself the ‘Son of God’?” (thereby indirectly calling Himself a man, not divine)?

The phrase, “I said, you are gods,” is found in Psalm 82: 6. The word gods used in the Psalm is the Hebrew word elohim (eloah = “god,” im = plural ending = “gods”). The fact that God is often referred to as Elohim in the Old Testament does not mean that the Bible teaches a form of polytheism (many gods). Throughout the Old testament, the singular form of the verb is always used with Elohim when speaking of God (“In the beginning God (plural: Elohim) created (singular) the heavens and the earth”-Genesis 1: 1).

If anything, the language of the Bible is consistent with the doctrine of the Trinity, just as in Matthew 28:19 the noun name (singular in Greek) is used to express “the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” It comprises only a “name.” The term “gods” (Elohim) in Psalm 82 refers to Jewish judges, men who were to act as “God” (or “gods”) on behalf of the people, “god” in the sense of being just, fair, etc. Obviously, they were not literally “God.” Exodus 21: 1-6 and 22: 9, 28 use the same term; the word translated “judges” in our English Bibles actually is elohim.

That was the Old Testament context to which Jesus was referring. Why? Seemingly, Jesus was asking them why they were so upset by the use of the term “Son of God.” They had been exposed to it before (i.e., being called “gods” in Psalm 82). The issue before them was this: “Don’t stop at the use of the term. Look at Me. Look at My works. Are they from God? If they are, believe what I say, including the names that I give Myself.”

MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 12 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

cover note

May 2017 / Impacto evangelistic

13

CHRIST'S DEITY

FATH

The Deity’s identity and cooperation

The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit were neither identical in person, nor confused by relationship, nor divided by Deity, nor opposed by cooperation. The Son is in the Father and the Father, in the Son, by their relationship. The Father does not originate in the Son, but the Son originates in the Father by authority. The Holy Spirit originates in the Father and the Son by nature, relationship and authority. None of these three people in the Trinity works or exist independently from the others. (John 5:17-30,32)

IS N

OT

IS

GO

God, the Father, is the “head” of Christ.

The same relation in descending order appears in 1 Corinthians 11:3: “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.”

Jesus was subdued to the Father.

Other verse that shows us the relationship between Christ and the Father frequently causes controversy.

“And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:28). In the verse, the verb “subdue” does not imply inequality among people but a difference in their roles. Subjugation refers only to the function and submission does not mean inferiority necessarily.

MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 14 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

IS

HOLY SPIRIT

IS N

Jesus was “engendered”.

Some people claim that the term “begotten” of John 3:16 (also in 1:14, 18 and 3:18) denies Jesus’ divinity, thus affirming that he was only another created man. The term “begotten”, however, does not mean “created”. The word “engendered”, according to the Gospel of John, means “unique, blessed or highly favored”. C. S. Lewis states clearly the meaning of “engendered”.

HER

Jesús was a man.

S

OT

IS N

OD

NOT

A possible stumbling block that may impede some people from accepting Christ’s divinity is that the Bible says that Jesus was a man.

For example, in 1 Timothy 2:5, it states: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”; and Romans 5:12-21 refers to the sin, which is expiated by “one man, Jesus Christ” (verse 15).

Jesus was referred to as the first-born.

Some people get confused due to the word “first-born”, since they believe it means “the one that is created first”, which implies that Jesus was only created, not preexisting not eternal not God himself.

IS

Jesus and God agreed.

SON

Jesus says: “…I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one” (John 10:28-30).

“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life” (1 John 5:20).

May 2017 / Impacto evangelistic

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THE ISOLATED REIGN OF

N

NORTH KOREA

orth Korea has long adopted a policy of isolation and even confrontation with most of the international community and acts as if it did not care about the opinion of the rest of the world. But, what lies behind this strange behavior?

After World War II, Japan was forced to withdraw from all the territories that it had occupied, including Korea. The Allies set the peninsula free and divided it into two. The Soviet Union occupied the northern part, to the 38th parallel, while the United States occupied the territories south of the 38th parallel.

Both powers sought to have the entire peninsula under their control, and elections were held in their respective areas of influence. In North Korea, former communist guerrilla leader Kim Il-sung won the elections and became the prime minister of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

On June 25, 1950, North Korea launched a military offensive to unify the entire Korean peninsula under a single socialist government. North Korean troops seized Seoul and a large part of the peninsula, with South Korean troops confined to a small area near the south.

With the support of US military forces, Southerners regained Seoul and seized Pyongyang. The counterattack made it possible for the South to take over the whole country and to trap the communist troops near the border with China.

When the Korean Communists were about to lose the war, China sent its ‘volunteers’ and together resumed the initiative.

Despite the advance of the new counterattack, the North Korean troops failed to conquer the south. No one come out victorious from this conflict that claimed the lives of more than 2.5 million people.

After the Korean War, Kim Il-sung gradually established a huge cult of personality and adopted an independent policy that determined the emergence of ideas of “self-reliance,” (“juche”) which could be interpreted as a nationalist variant of communism.

When Kim Il-sung died in 1994, his son, Kim Jong-il, inheriMISSIONARY MOVEMENT 16 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

ted the title of head of State and continued his father’s personality cult. His ‘reign’ coincided with the collapse of the USSR and the socialist bloc, as well as with the floods that caused massive famine among the North Korean population.

In 2009, North Korea successfully conducted an underground nuclear test, joining the list of countries with nuclear weapons. As a result, the UN and several States imposed sanctions on the Asian country, but Kim Jong-il ignored them and continued to develop similar weapons.

Kim Jong-il passed away in 2011, and his youngest son, Kim Jong-un, took office. During his mandate, three nuclear tests were conducted in 2013, 2015 and 2016 –the last one with a powerful hydrogen bomb– and tensions with South Korea escalated.

current news

THE CURRENT OUTLOOK Most people think that there is only one political party in North Korea. In fact, in addition to the Worker’s Party of Korea (WPK), there are two others: the Korean Social Democratic Party and the Chondoist Chongu Party, both of which recognize the leading role of the WPK. These two groups have no real power, but seek to give the image of a real democracy in the country.

Kim Jong-un bears the title of “Supreme Leader” and has enormous powers. In this country, parliamentary elections are only a masquerade.

POPULATION AND ECONOMY North Korean population is about 25 million people, out of which

more than 3 million live in the country’s capital, Pyongyang. North Korea has a caste system divided into three categories: the core, the wavering, and the hostile. Only the core, i.e. Party, military and government officials as well as descendants of independence fighters and relatives of soldiers and civilians killed in the Korean War, can live in the capital.

The level of literacy reaches 100%. All North Koreans have completed primary and secondary education, but only 14% of men and 7% of women have completed higher education.

The international community believes that serious violations of human rights occur in North Korea. Opponents of the regime, according to several reports, are imprisoned in concentration camps where they suffer torture and are deprived of the most basic rights.

Few people try to escape the country across the border with China, even though it is the ‘best’ point to do so. The border with South Korea is absolutely hermetic because the two Korean states are separated by the ‘demilitarized zone,’ which in fact is ironically one of the most militarized areas in the world.

For several decades, the North Korean standard of living was good thanks to the help of the countries of the Socialist bloc, but things changed with the collapse of the USSR. Due to the severe economic situation and floods in the region, 2.5 million people died of starvation in the 1990s.

Currently, North Korea’s economy, according to different estimates, is about 30 to 40 times lower than that of Seoul. Its main industries continue to be agriculture and heavy industry.

When Kim Jong-un came to power, his government undertook reforms that sought to liberalize the North Korean economy by favoring the creation of a market economy. A few years ago, the North Korean government realized the need to have a certain market economy in the country, whose economic situation was in serious conditions. Thus began the current economic reforms, which consist of three key elements.

The first one is the legalization of private sale, that is, now merchants can sell their products without fear of prosecution from the State. The second one is the increased autonomy of North Korean companies, which obtained the right to self-manage, develop their own budgets and manage their human resources. The third one is a step towards an agricultural system based on family units and not collective farms. Previously, the State collected most of the crop and the rest would remain for the farmers; now, families can retain most of their crop and must give only a lower percentage to the State.

With news from the Internet.

May 2017 / Impacto evangelistic

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THE DANGERS OF

DENGUE

D

engue is a viral infection transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. It is found in tropical and subtropical climates, especially in urban and semi-urban areas, and can easily spread if there is no prevention.

Wálter Menchola Vásquez (*)

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that the global incidence of dengue has grown dramatically in recent decades. The actual number of cases worldwide is unknown, because not all of them are recorded and reported.

It is estimated, however, that 390 million dengue infections occur each year, out of which 96 million present clinical manifestations (24%); that is, one in four infected people show symptoms, while three go undetected.

Dengue has spread throughout the planet. Before 1970, only nine countries reported this disease; currently, more than 110 countries in Africa, the Mediterranean, the Americas, South-East Asia and the Western Pacific report it on a permanent basis.

The disease is transmitted to humans by the bite of a female Aedes aegypti mosquito, which in turn became infected by stinging a person showing symptoms or not; and so the cycle of dengue goes.

The Aedes has a great adaptive capacity. There are three varieties, the most important vector for dengue being the aegypti. This vector spread from Africa to the rest of the world through trade in the fifteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries because of the development of merchant navy and commercial aviation and the migration of people.

It is believed that, during sea voyages, the mosquito initially lived and reproduced in the water reservoirs of the ships’ holds; in recent times, the spread is mostly attributed to migrations, as well as trade of used tires, which constitute artificial mosquito containers.

SYMPTOMS Symptoms usually occur between 3 and 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. Dengue is a flu-like illness, with symptoms such as high fever (40 °C), severe headache, pain behind the eyeballs, muscle and joint aches (breakbone feMISSIONARY MOVEMENT 18 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

ver), nausea, vomiting, enlarged lymph nodes, or rash.

The illness usually lasts a week; on the first day, there may be a generalized red rash, conjunctival injection and vesicles on the palate. As it evolves, there may be light nosebleeds and scattered spots on the skin.

The diagnosis is generally established by immunoserologic studies to detect the viral antigen or viral RNA in the serum. The most commonly used test is the detection of specific antibodies in the serum of the patient.

health

The disease can evolve into a life-threatening condition (severe dengue) causing fluid accumulation, respiratory distress, severe bleeding or severe organ impairment.

These symptoms occur occasionally between 3 and 7 days after the first manifestations and are accompanied by temperature drops, abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding gums and vomiting with blood. These patients should be taken to the Intensive Care Unit to reduce the likelihood of death.

There is no specific treatment for dengue or severe dengue, but early detection and access to proper medical care lower fatality rates below 1% (WHO, 2017). Prevention is the best way to deal with the disease.

Note that the mosquito or vector needs a favorable habitat to live and reproduce, so it is important to cover any container with clean water for human use and remove any object that could store rainwater (pitchers, bottles, tires, broken and plastic containers, vases in cemeteries). Outdoor water systems or containers that cannot be covered, such as wells, pools and puddles, suitable insecticides must be applied. It is also advisable to place mosquito nets on windows and wear long sleeve clothing.

Source: WHO, PAHO. (*) Internist, Master in Public Policies and Management

May 2017 / Impacto evangelistic

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THE CONQUER OF

PABLO ESCOBAR’S NEIGHBORHOOD

T

hree decades ago, it was one of the most dangerous places in Medellin. Drugs, alcohol and murder were a common thing in El Milagro, the neighborhood founded by Pablo Escobar, the most powerful Colombian drug lord. But one fine day the Word of God came.

Almost every day for more than thirty years, Celina Jiménez Bram has been going up and down the hundreds of steps that run along the steep streets of El Milagro. Young people, women and men greet her warmly as she passes by the humble houses of this neighborhood located on the slopes of a chain of hills in northeastern Medellin, Colombia.

In these three decades, Celina might have forgotten to take her wallet or coat, but never the book of the Word. The Bible has always accompanied her in her tireless journeys across this neighborhood where life was not worth anything in the 80s and 90s.

El Milagro is known as the neighborhood of Pablo Escobar because its first houses were built with the money of the drug trafficker. It was a time when this fearsome man wanted to start a career as politician; as part of his proselytizing campaign, he bought a large plot of land on the slopes, built dozens of basic housing and gave them to the poorest of Medellin.

The area became extremely dangerous in the 80s, as well as the rest of Medellin. No stranger could get into the neighborhood without being questioned. There had to be a powerful reason for an outsider to come to El Milagro. Celina Jiménez came one day with the Bible in her hand and stayed for three decades.

Celina is a member of the Worldwide Missionary Movement (WMM) who began to walk through the neighborhood of Pablo Escobar one day that she no longer remembers. What she does recall is that she has reached many souls with the Word of God, who now belong to the Work of the Lord.

It was very difficult to touch the people of El Milagro, who are suspicious by nature. For years, Celina and a score of missionaries tirelessly walked through the streets of this and other MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 20 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

current news

neighborhoods to bring the Word of God. Many looked at them skeptically, but little by little they awakened the interest of men and women.

Celina has suffered the consequences of violence. She has been about to be harmed more than once, and she has witnessed several shootings and fights between enemy bands in this neighborhood where life could be lost in no time.

Marina Mazo Zoazo was one of the first to join Sister Celina’s group. She used to live by the river, in a humble little

house that could be washed away at any moment. When she learned about the houses that Escobar was giving away, she signed up and got a small concrete house on the steep slope.

She moved in with her six children and her poverty on her back.

Marina has lived in El Milagro for thirty-two years. She is one of the people who help Sister Celina in her long journeys to bring the Word to the suffering souls of the place. Although it has been a long time, she still has memory of the day she took the way of the Lord. She survived a septicemia that prostrated her in bed for 22 days. She was on the brink of death, but defeated it with the Lord’s help. And so she came to the Word.

María Ema Amarilis Rodríguez is another woman who converted to the Gospel guided by Sister Celina. Now the three of them walk the streets of El Milagro, where many people have mended their ways to save their souls.

Sister Celina has never made estimates about the number of people she has led the Worldwide Missionary Movement in more than 32 years of untiring work. Those who follow the Lord come to the central temple of the Work in Medellin, where Reverend Gustavo Martínez preaches.

Violence has withdrawn in this neighborhood. Now people can walk the streets at ease. Many miracles have occurred in El Milagro.

May 2017 / Impacto evangelistic

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“THE WORK IS

GROWING” R

everend Romulo Vergara is a missionary supervisor in Africa and has conducted a praiseworthy evangelizing work in several countries of the continent.

He leads the efforts of a group of missionaries who bring the Word amid great social and political difficulties.

He has traveled through dozens of African countries putting his own life at risk. He and his brother Clemente arrived in Africa thirty years ago to carry out a patient work that has opened churches and boosted the growth of the Worldwide Missionary Movement. Romulo Vergara is an international officer and his contributions are critical for the missionary work.

What is the situation of the Work in Africa?

The Work in Equatorial Guinea was founded with sacrifice and much suffering in 1983. My brother was the first to come; then I did. We were both about to die because of malaria and other illnesses. But the Work was established and has grown nicely; now national and youth conventions are held.

In what other countries is the Work located?

In Congo, Ghana and Ivory Coast. In November 2015, my brother visited Ivory Coast, and a pastor joined the Work along with a congregation of more than one hundred people. We have also reached Madagascar.

When did you arrive in Madagascar?

Four or five years ago. The Work there is pastored by my brother Clemente, who took over without knowing anyone.

God has shown His glory and several churches have been founded.

What other country is the Work planning to reach in the coming years?

Gabon, which borders Equatorial Guinea. We used to have a Work established there, and it was very beautiful indeed, but it was lost out of neglect. We even have a property in the country and we plan to arrive soon. Another nation calling us is Cameroon, which borders Guinea. We are in the Congo Republic and DR Congo, including Kinshasa, the capital of the latter. There are also other countries opening their doors to us.

What are the difficulties faced by the Work in these nations?

On the one hand, diseases. You cannot stay long because you can get malaria. There are other diseases, such as cholera and typhoid fever.

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What is the attitude of the authorities in these countries towards the Work?

It is not very favorable, because most of these African nations are dictatorships and they restrict freedom of worship.

As much as in Middle East?

No, it is easier. We arrived 30 years ago and the same president remains in power because of the dictatorship. The idiosyncrasy of the people is very similar to that of the Latin American; Africans are also open. We can do a better job than with Europeans, which are very closed-minded. I prefer to work in Africa than in Europe, even in spite of the risks, because it is a continent more receptive to the Gospel.

But can we talk about persecution?

Yes, there is persecution. In Nigeria, they burn temples with Christians inside.

How many congregations are there in Africa?

I think that there are approximately 50 congregations in all countries.

In which country are there more churches?

There are about 40 in Equatorial Guinea.

Is there a lot of vandalism?

Yes. White people are believed to have money, so they are robbed and even killed if they put up resistance.

How often do you travel to the country?

Twice a year, but it has been difficult lately because we have been not allowed to enter the country for some time. We were there in 2016 and this year we plan to organize the convention to be held from August 16 to 19 in the city of Bata.

In your capacity as International Officer, how do you see the Work in general terms?

The Work has grown in a great and wonderful way and, therefore, there is a great spiritual demand. Assistance is very necessary; all the officers split to cover several countries. Thank God, the Work remains united, integrated, keeping the sound doctrine and principles we have learned.

How do you see the advance of gender ideology?

Gender ideology is a terrible thing, but it shows a great advance; it is reaching its peak, a terrible development. It is part of the prophetic times that we live in. And that is not all. In Europe and some countries, laws are discussed so that parents can have sex with their children and marriage with animals is accepted.

This is destroying humankind. The world is upside down because this is all allowed, and the only thing that prevents it from happening is the Church; we fight against a terrible giant.

Phto: Roberto Guerrero

interview

May 2017 / Impacto evangelistic

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THE WAY

TO GOD P

ublished in 1884, this book captured in its pages the greatness of the Creator. It was written by preacher Dwight Lyman Moody, recognized as one of the greatest evangelists of the nineteenth century.

In Ephesians 3:18, we are told of “the breadth, and length, and depth, and height,” of God’s love. Many of us think we know something of God’s love; but centuries hence we shall admit we have never found out much about it. Columbus discovered America: but what did he know about its great lakes, rivers, forests, and the Mississippi valley? He died, without knowing much about what he had discovered. When we wish to know the love of God we should go to Calvary. Can we look upon that scene, and say God did not love us? That cross speaks of the love of God. Greater love never has been taught than that which the cross teaches.

First published in 1884, The Way to God is one of the most important works by American preacher Dwight Lyman Moody. He was recognized as the greatest evangelist of the nineteenth century, and was used by the Lord to personally transmit His Word to more than one hundred million people. Born on February 5, 1837, in the city of Northfield, Moody endeavored to show humanity the greatness of the Creator and that He is the way, the truth and the life.

Down there in the dark alleys of one of our great cities is a poor drunkard. I think if you want to get near hell, you should go to a poor drunkard’s home. Go to the house of that poor miserable drunkard. Is there anything more like hell on earth? See the want and distress that reign there.

But hark! A footstep is heard at the door, and the children run and hide themselves. The patient wife waits to meet the man. He has been her torment. Many a time she has borne about the marks of his blows for weeks. Many a time that strong right hand has been brought down on her defenseless head.

PATH OF LIFE Known as D.L. Moody, Dwight structured his book into nine chapters, in which he set forth a series of thoughts about the love of Jesus, the gateway into the kingdom of God, the assurance of salvation, repentance and restitution. With simple words, this servant of Christ wrote his book for the readers to MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 24 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

literature

be strengthened, fixed and confirmed in the Christian faith.

He also showed how man can bring souls to the feet of the Lord.

I can believe God better than I can myself. If you want to know the way of life, believe that Jesus Christ is a personal Saviour; cut away from all doctrines and creeds, and come right to the heart of the Son of God. If you have been feeding on dry doctrine there is not much growth on that kind of food.

Doctrines are to the soul what the streets which lead to the house of a friend who has invited me to dinner are to the body. They will lead me there if I take the right one; but if I remain in the streets my hunger will never be satisfied.

Feeding on doctrines is like trying to live on dry husks; and lean indeed must the soul remain which partakes not of the Bread sent down from heaven.

In The Way to God, Moody displayed the inspiration that the Creator provided him with for the transformation of millions of people across the five continents. The author made clear in it that, in order to know God, it is imperative to experience the love of Jesus, which exceeds all knowledge. He also pointed out that there is much evidence about the divinity of the Savior, whom we should serve every day.

Repentance is one of the fundamental doctrines of the Bible.

Yet I believe it is one of those truths that many people little understand at the present day. There are more people today in the mist and the darkness about Repentance, Regeneration, the Atonement, and such-like fundamental truths, than perhaps on any other doctrines.

BELIEVE AND RECEIVE It is dangerous for those who are seeking salvation to lean upon the experience of other people. Many are waiting for a repetition of the experience of their grandfather or grandmother. I had a friend who was converted in a field; and he thinks the whole town ought to go down into that meadow and be converted. Another was converted under a bridge; and he thinks that if any inquirer were to go there he would find the Lord. The best thing for the anxious is to go right to the Word of God. If there are any persons in the world to whom the Word ought to be very precious it is those who are asking how to be saved.

Founder of the Moody Bible Institute in 1886 and Moody Publishers in 1894, D.L. Moody, as he was called by his contemporaries, addressed his book not only to church members but also to those people separated from Jesus Christ. Convinced that God pays special attention to those who are far from Him, he channeled a message specially designed for this

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literature

group of believers whom he considered very significant within the evangelical communities.

Repentance is one of the fundamental doctrines of the Bible. Yet I believe it is one of those truths that many people little understand at the present day. There are more people today in the mist and the darkness about Repentance, Regeneration, the Atonement, and such-like fundamental truths, than perhaps on any other doctrines. Yet from our earliest years we have heard about them. If I were to ask for a definition of Repentance, a great many would give a very strange and false idea of it. A man is not prepared to believe or to receive the Gospel, unless he is ready to repent of his sins and turn from them.

A man of prayer and scholar of the Holy Scriptures, Dwight Lyman proclaimed the good news through several publications that, like The Way to God, were made to edify and educate the followers of the Lord. It is worth mentioning that through his company, Moody Publishers, the American preacher launched several products that expanded Christian literature and are used still today to evangelize the unconverted.

SOURCE OF LOVE If you go into a house, you will soon see the difference between the servant and the son. The son walks at perfect liberty all over the house: he is at home. But the servant takes a subordinate place. What we want is to get beyond servants. We ought to realize our standing with God as sons and daughters.

He will not “un-child” His children. God has not only adopted us; but we are His by birth: we have been born into His kingdom. My little boy was as much mine when he was a day old as now that he is fourteen. He was my son; although it did not appear what he would be when he attained manhood. He is mine; although he may have to undergo probation under tutors and governors.

The evangelizing work of Dwight Lyman Moody, who died on December 22, 1899 at age 72, allowed the good news of God to be spread across the United States and the United Kingdom. The faithful believer’s commitment to preach the Word turned him into a unique figure of Christianity in the nineteenth century. As a driver of hundreds of evangelistic crusades, he promoted the love of the Lord as a source of salvation and restitution and never stop saying that “God is love.”

There are two kinds of backsliders. Some have never been converted: they have gone through the form of joining a Christian community and claim to be backsliders; but they never have, if I may use the expression, “slid forward.” They may talk of backsliding; but they have never really been born again. They need to be treated differently to real backsliders,those who have been born of the incorruptible seed, but who have turned aside. We want to bring the latter back the same road by which they left their first love. There is nothing that will do backsliders so much good as to take them to the Word of God; and for them the Old Testament is as full of help as the New.

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MAJESTY C

omposed by American author Jack Hayford, it is emblem of contemporary gospel music that shares a message on the magnificence of God. In 1978, in Great Britain, one of the hundred best contemporary hymns of Christianity was written: “Majesty.” Appreciated for its solemnity and the simplicity of its lyrics, the song was composed by American author Jack Hayford, a Pentecostal minister and multifaceted man of God. In his creation, he urges the followers of Jesus Christ to praise the Creator and claims that the Lord is the king of the earth and the universe.

Written to highlight the greatness of God, “Majesty” is a tribute to the dignity and magnificence of Christ. Pastor Hayford, author of more than six hundred gospel hymns and refrains, was inspired while he and his wife Anna were on holiday in the United Kingdom. During their visits to many medieval castles, the author felt the influence of the Almighty and began to think about the possibility of composing a hymn to emphasize the sovereignty of Jesus.

About the creative process of this song, Reverend Jack Hayford, who was born on June 25, 1934 in Los Angeles, has talked on several occasions about the specific circumstances in which he saw the light. The Lord’s minister says that, “One day, as Anna and

MAJESTY 1 Majesty Worship His majesty Unto Jesus be all glory, Honor and praise 2 Majesty Kingdom authority Flow from His throne Unto His own His anthem raise Refrain So exalt, lift up on high The name of Jesus Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus the King Majesty Worship His majesty Jesus who died, now glorified King of all kings.

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I drove along together, the opening lyrics and melody of “Majesty” simply came to my heart. I continued driving, asking Anna to jot the words and melody line in the notebook she had beside her.”

Writer of over fifty Christian books, Hayford has also stressed several times the importance of his poem, which directly addresses the splendor of God. In this regard, the composer claims that, “So powerfully did the sense of Christ Jesus’ royalty, dignity, and majesty fill my heart...He has also unfolded to us a life of authority

music

over sin and hell...It would not be until returning to our home in California that I would complete the song.�

As a promoter of the Word through radio, television and written press, Jack is widely recognized in the worldwide evangelical environment for his Christianizing work. Throughout his eightyyear-old life, and with a Bible in his hand, he has preached the Good News across the American territory and has fostered the spiritual formation of many ministers. Furthermore, he is part of

the National Religious Broadcasters Hall of Fame since March 2014.

Acknowledged as one of the most prominent artists in the gospel music industry, Jack Hayford continues to spread the Gospel, even though he is about to turn eighty-three years old. “Majesty�, the emblematic song of his vast musical repertoire, is sung today in the five continents and stands out for its beautiful melody and its message on the heavenly authority of the Lord.

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THE APOSTLE OF THE J

MONGOLS

ames Gilmour sowed the Word of God in Mongolia.

Protected by his Christian faith, he faced adversity, loneliness and many dangers in his desire to spread the Good News of the Lord.

Harlan Beach

In mid-1870s, a young Scottish man, who had been sent to China by the London Missionary Society, arrived in Beijing to preach the Word of God. A few weeks after his arrival, there was a massacre in which thirteen French believers were killed; this was the prelude of a general outbreak of hatred against foreigners. Instead of fleeing, the preacher, James Gilmour, decided to stay in China and find a way to share the Good News among the Mongols.

FIRST STEPS James, born on June 12, 1843, was the third son of James and Elizabeth Gilmour, two pious believers who raised him under the precepts of Christianity. The missionary listened to countless stories about missionaries by his family, and this is how the desire to spread the Gospel arose in him. He also received a rigorous education in the cities of Cambuslang and Glasgow.

In 1862, after school, Gilmour entered the University of Glasgow, where he stood out as a brilliant student in Greek, Latin and English literature. As a dedicated college student, he used to spend many hours in the library and never wasted his time in banal occupations. The man of faith’s early Christian formation led him to convert in his first year of university. He then studied the Bible and surrendered to the feet of Christ.

Being a supporter of the missionary service, James applied for appointment to the London Missionary Society to be admitted as a preacher at the end of 1867. Upon his acceptance, he was sent to Cheshunt College, Cambridge’s oldest theological institution, to consolidate his knowledge on the creed of the Lord. There, fourteen miles away from London, his interest in the evangelization of the unconverted grew stronger and he began to spread the Holy Scriptures at night services.

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hero of faith

In the region that was once the Mongol Empire, the second largest in history, James Gilmour followed the example of Jesus and became a healer for the sick. In his tent, which was his dwelling and personal temple, those affected by some illness found the necessary remedies to soothe their pains.

INTREPID EVANGELIST After finishing his studies at Cheshunt College, James Gilmour entered the missionary seminary at Highgate, north of London, in September 1869 to continue his spiritual training. Attracted by the spreading of the Word in China, he also began to study Chinese and spent much of his days sharing the message of God on different streets and points of the English capital.

Subsequently, the directors of the London Missionary Society decided to send him to Mongolia. Loaded with enormous faith and many dreams, he sailed from the port of Liverpool on February 22, 1870. The Scottish missionary became the spiritual leader of the vessel. The faithful servant of the Lord would address the crew every night and testify about the transforming power of the Creator and salvation.

On May 18, 1870, James arrived in Beijing, the capital of China, a little before reaching his 27th birthday. A month after his arrival, there was the massacre of Tianjin, a violent incident in which thirteen believers perished and several churches were burned; this would mark the course of his missionary work in China. Dedicated to prayer, he chose not to abandon his task and devoted himself assiduously to learning the local language for three months.

TENACIOUS MISIONARY Guided by God, Gilmour ventured into the Desert of Gobi between northern China and southern Mongolia –one of the largest deserts in the world– to bring the Gospel to the nomadic peoples. In the plains of Mongolia, he spread Christianity among the natives, learned their language, adopted their clothing, lived in their tents, ate their food, made all efforts to become one of them and shared his faith with them.

James’ first trip in Mongolia, along with a Russian officer who did not speak English, took him from Beijing to Kiachta, a Russian town on the Siberian frontier, which he reached after a 54-day journey. From that moment on, until 1882, he spent all his summers with the Mongol nomads. Thus, he had the opportunity to study and analyze their customs and become attuned to their culture and religious beliefs.

In the region that was once the Mongol Empire, the second largest in history, James Gilmour followed the example of Jesus and became a healer for the sick. In his tent, which

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was his dwelling and personal temple, those affected by some illness found the necessary remedies to soothe their pains. However, his willingness to care for the Mongols did not allow him to inoculate the Gospel in their hearts. Still, he was certain that they would surrender to God. AMONG THE MONGOLS In the spring of 1882, Gilmour decided to take a break to recover his health and returned to England with his wife, Emily Prankard, whom he had married on December 8, 1874. Back home, he defended his evangelizing work in Mongolia and gave his testimony in many temples. In April 1883 he published a book on his missionary work among the Mongols, which was very well received.

With renewed conviction, the servant of the Lord went back to Beijing on November 14, 1883. He immediately began a long journey across Mongolia, where he met his first converted. It was 1884, in a tent in the middle of the plains; a young Mongolian decided to leave Buddhism and convert to Christianity. The boy was not afraid to tell him that Christ was his Savior. Then they traveled together to a lonely place where they prayed.

For more than five years, James devoted himself to travel through Mongolia, heal the sick and preach the Word of the Almighty. In his most successful missionary campaign he attended to about 6,000 patients and spoke about the Gospel to more than 24,000 people. Supported by the Lord in the 8-month spiritual expedition, he distributed 4,500 evangelical tracts and traveled more than 1860 miles.

EXEMPLARY WORK This adventurous preacher had many experiences throughout his evangelizing work.

In his journeys, he was constantly exposed to the cold of a land where temperatures fall down to -30 or -40 C° in winter. He often had to endure long periods of hunger and thirst while he wandered in the middle of the desert. But he considered these situations part of the daily work and noted them down in his journal as simple facts.

Gilmour followed Jesus Christ in adversity, solitude, multiple dangers and all kinds of difficulties that can be MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 32 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

imagined. With great endurance and patience, he sowed the faith in Mongolian mountains, valleys and plains.

Even the toughest and most indifferent Mongols recognized his effort. In his daily work, he never failed to assert

hero of faith

that God would harvest souls in Mongolia in due course.

James Gilmour, known as the apostle of the Mongols, died of typhus fever on May 21, 1891 in the city of Tianjin, about 67 miles southeast from Beijing. When his death was

known in Mongolian territory, many men cried like children upon learning that “their Gilmour was dead.� His hard life left a permanent legacy that even today accompanies the missionaries who preach the Word around the world.

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SABINA’S

UNHAPPY CHILDHOOD

S

he resorted to sorcery to escape from the suffering caused by a sexual assault in her childhood. Yet, instead of relief, she felt nothing but anguish, until some woman showed her the way to peace.

Susan Amau Villanueva Foto: Archivo Familiar

One morning in 1996, a six-year-old girl went into a house in the city of Baden, Switzerland. With the innocence typical of her age, that little girl did not know that it was the house of a witch. Her parents led her in by the hand, their faces showing concern for the financial problems they had been going through for some time.

This is how Sabina Afonso Santos Funez met face to face with occultism for the first time. The encounter would bring so much anguish and suffering to her life in the coming years that she would resort to suicide as the only way to escape her desperate situation.

Her family’s story begins in the first years of the 90s, when an economic crisis struck Portugal. There was unemployment, and many young people had to leave the country to look for a better future. Among them were José Antonio Pinto dos Santos and María As-cenção Lourenço Afonso Santos, who migrated to Switzerland. There they met and started a family. Sabina was their eldest daughter and they lived happily for many years.

When Sabina was four, her parents rented a store to sell products from their hometown. Everything was going well, but a deceitful a friend of her father stole the business and the store went bankrupt.

Amid the crisis, the family resorted to the sorcery and Santeria of a Brazilian woman. The couple was soon persuaded to participate in a satanic sect. Their daughters, Sabina (6) and Mery (4), wore a jewel as a token of their membership. But nothing changed; they were still facing financial problems and hunger.

THE ASSAULT Due to their economic loss and lack of resources, Sabina and her sister were sent to Portugal, to their mother’s sister. Before their departure, the witch tried to buy Sabina to use her as an MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 34 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

life story

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offering for darkness. She offered a big amount of money, but as hard as their situation was, her parents rejected the proposal.

When both children arrived to their aunt’s house, they went through a real hell. The girls missed their parents badly and they would cry every day. Sabina was just 7 years old at that time and felt that taking care of her younger sister was a burden. As if it was not enough, something terrible happened to Sabina: a relative committed sexual assault on her, changing her life forever.

She never spoke up because she was threatened, so she suffered in silence the pain caused by the heartless man who did not respect her innocence.

The children returned to Switzerland one year later. Sabina had changed. The playful, loving and funny girl had been left behind. In her place was a girl who would look at people with resentment and would not talk to anybody. She was tormented.

She would constantly fight with her sisters until making them bleed. Her parents, worried for her attitude, called a priest, but it was useless.

In the meantime, her father became a violent alcoholic who would beat his daughters and wife until leaving scars on their MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 36 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

Before their departure, the witch tried to buy Sabina to use her as an offering for darkness. She offered a big amount of money, but as hard as their situation was, her parents rejected the proposal.

bodies. The violence worsened Sabina’s condition, who developed suicidal thoughts.

SUICIDAL DESIRE At the age of 12, Sabina was a resentful teenager; resentful towards her parents and the people around her. She felt that she had no place in the world and decided to commit suicide by taking many pills, but failed.

She blamed her parents for the scars caused by the assault.

With the ghosts of her childhood constantly haunting her, she attempted suicide for a second time. After learning that another

life story

teenager from school had died from eating some herbs, she tried the same, and again she failed. Her desire to stop living in a miserable and broken home soon turned her turn into a drug addict.

Her parents, tired of living in the same place, moved to a new house in a town named Chepeny. Sabina’s rebellious attitude went worse at the idea of losing the few friends that she had in her life. “School was like home and home was like hell,” she remembers.

For her, the constant fights between her parents were a torture, and the idea of losing the few things she still appreciated in life, an appalling perspective. Still, Sabina thought that the change could improve her parents’ relationship. It did not happen; her mother was in an unhappy marriage, and her problems led her to turn again to sorcery.

17-year-old Sabina and her mother took some classes of occultism to become followers of evil. They were granted a supposed healing power for some time, without noting that they were actually giving away their souls to the deepest darkness.

One night, while she was sleeping, a person in black grabbed her by the chest and dragged her out of the bed. “Is this a dream or is this real?” Sabina wondered. There were twenty other

people in the room holding her by the arms and trying to take her. She cried, but nobody heard her screams. Suddenly, a voice resounded in the darkness: “Do you remember the prayers you used to say to me?”

Those words got to her soul and she remembered the prayers that she used to say when she was a child. She started to pray.

Then, an angel with golden hair appeared from nowhere. Dressed in dazzling white, bearing a sword, and surrounded by an incomparable light, the angel chased away all evil. Sabina could not believe it. When she woke up later, she told everything to her mother, but she did not believe her.

The event was soon forgotten and Sabina resumed the satanic rituals. She felt such a strong attraction that she could not stop. Every time she tried to leave, some force would pull her back, as if she was attracted by some magnet.

At home, everything was the same. Her father would always come back drunk and the environment was more violent. One day, he beat her mother so badly that Sabina stuck up for her and tried to hit her father.

Out of her mind, she took a pillow and locked herself up in the basement. In the absolute darkness, Sabina thought once

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She stayed there for three years and finished her studies. When she visited her parents, she realized that they had changed. She thought that it had to do with her prayers, but she knew that it was not enough.

again about killing herself. She tried to suffocate herself with the pillow, but someone stopped her by putting a hand on her shoulder. A voice told her: “Do not do it.” At that moment, the girl felt such an incredible peace that she forgot what she was trying to do.

ENCOUNTER WITH THE LORD Sabina left home and decided to study nursing. She met a pastor back then to whom she told all about her problems. The man was touched by her misery and helped her find somewhere to live. It was the home of a deacon of a reformed church, a completely different place from her home. They took her under their care with affection and taught her to pray with devotion. From then on, she prayed fervently for her parents.

She stayed there for three years and finished her studies.

When she visited her parents, she realized that they had changed. She thought that it had to do with her prayers, but she knew that it was not enough. Although Sabina had quit her vices, pain and resentment were still lingering in her heart.

When she moved to Basel for work, she met many people, one of them María, the sister of a friend. She was a Christian and took her to her church, but Sabina did not like it since she felt that it lacked what she was looking for: the presence of God. Realizing Sabina’s discomfort, María took her to a church that she knew only by sight. Before getting in, Sabina listened to angels singing, and once there, she felt the glory of God filling the place. Before the altar, she fell at the feet of Jesus. It was the year 2013 when she decided to change.

Sabina left everything behind. The Lord Christ gave her all the peace and love that she was yearning for. She threw herself into God’s arms and was baptized in May 2014, in Geneva. When her parents saw her change, they wondered what the church had done to her, but Sabina had but one answer: “Christ has changed me.”

Her life went from tormented to peaceful. Her desire to serve the Lord led her to a deep study of the Word of God. A missionary flame was burning in her heart. She became a loyal supporter of Christ and she followed all of her pastor’s instructions.

Some months later, she met Germán Isaac Funez, from El Salvador, a young man who came to Switzerland for four months to teach music to the church’s members. Germán ended up staying and became pastor. He married Sabina in 2015 and both of them serve the Work of God in Berna. They have a little girl, Eunice, the light of their eyes.

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life story

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THE END

IS COME “An end, the end is come upon the four corners of the land. Now is the end come upon thee, and I will send mine anger upon thee, and will judge thee according to thy ways… An end is come, the end is come: it watcheth for thee; behold, it is come… O thou that dwellest in the land… The time is come, the day of trouble is near, and not the sounding again of the mountains… Now will I shortly pour out my fury upon thee… And will recompense thee for all thine abominations…

And mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity… The time is come, the day draweth near… The sword is without, and the pestilence and the famine within… They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord… For the land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence… Destruction cometh; and they shall seek peace, and there shall be none… I will do unto them after their way, and according to their deserts will I judge them; and they shall know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 7.

Rev. Luis M. Ortiz

Our incredible Savior, Jesus Christ, harshly criticized the sins of his generation (Matthew 23: 13-38). “See ye not all these things? Verily I say unto you, there shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down” (Matthew 24: 2). After this warning about a divine judgment on the Earth and its inhabitants, the disciples came unto him privately and asked him: “Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”

(Matthew 24: 3).

This is when the Master made the great prophetic sermon in Matthew 24. He did not reveal the day of the judgments and calamities to come, or the time of the Rapture of his Church, or the moment of his Second Coming, in which he will judge the nations and punish those who disobeyed him. But he did describe in detail how those judgments and his coming will be. He explained clearly the prevailing conditions of the world in these times, as well as the moral, social, political, religious, physical and scientific signs that will come up in the world in the days near the end of times.

Just as the ancient prophets did, our Lord Jesus Christ, the greatest prophet of them all, with a perfect and accurate knowledge of these events, talked thoroughly about the end of times. The Lord speaks of this period 15 times, and by revealing its scenario, he let us picture his coming and the end of our days.

The Lord says that in the end of times there will be lots of impostors, wars, revolutions, nation against nation and kingdom against kingdom, pestilences, famines and earthquakes.

The deadly trio of calamities –disease, starvation and earthquakes– will take over the Earth and grow more intense as the end approaches. People will hate each other, betray each other and kill each other. Nowadays, due to the evil spirit of MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 40 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

devotional

atheistic materialism, children betray, kill and murder their parents and vice versa, and siblings send each other to the gallows and the firing wall.

The Master also said, as a relief for the pandemonium of these days: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24: 14).

The Lord resumes his apocalyptic message talking about a “great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24: 21).

He adds, “And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened” (Matthew 24: 22).

In Matthew 24: 24, the Master warns again about the caravan of “false Christs and false prophets” that will show up in these days, and that they “shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”

Beloved friends, the fig of Israel is with new sprouts, and even fruits. Israel, which for centuries was not a nation due to its incredulity, became one in 1948. “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors” (Matthew 24: 32-33). The fig has grown green again and is full of fruits, and the Lord Jesus Christ asserted that when Israel turned green again, his coming and the end of times would be close. “And Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled” (Luke 21: 24).

Our Lord also stated that Jerusalem would be free from the gentiles in these times, and Jerusalem is now ruled by the Jews.

Should there be any doubt left, the Lord speaks of signs concerning human morals in these times. The Lord compares these days with those of the Flood: drunkenness, delinquency, crime, theft, insecurity, corruption, adultery, fornication, unfaithfulness, divorce, lust, orgies, transvestism, homosexuality, lesbianism, indecency and nudism. “But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be” (Matthew 24: 37-39).

Beloved friends, these signs are here now, it is too evident, and they precede the end. The Lord warns, “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 24: 42-44).

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WAITING ON GOD “Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.” Proverbs 27: 18.

Rev. Álvaro Garavito

You reap what you sow. Cultivation implies not only sowing, but also protecting your plant from insects and plagues, fertilizing it and building a fence to avoid predators; if you take care of your plant, you will eat its fruits. Similarly, those who wait on the Lord and His interests will be honored; if you only look after your interests, nobody will honor you.

You must take no interest in earthly things, and if you have them, use them for God’s glory. Enjoy life within the limits and parameters established for the saints. Make use of your rights, but do not put your heart into it, nor your interests.

Many people have died in disappointment because they did not get enough sleep and did not eat well to give their family unnecessary luxuries.

Our interests must be in the Lord and His Work. Let’s work and fight to extend His Work! Let’s devote our heart, hands, mind and economic resources to Him! If we wait on God and watch over our Lord’s interests, we will be honored.

If you care and remain awaken for the Lord, He will honor you. God says through his Word: “For them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed” (1 Psalms 2: 30).

How many times have we said to the Lord, “God, I want to do this for you, but I have not one penny, nowhere to start from, nothing”? But those who honor the Lord are blessed by Him. He gives us a lot to those who prioritize His interests over their own. He always keeps his Word, His blessing will reach us wherever we go.

We are “stewards” of our possessions. “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4: 2). “It is required in stewards,” and note that it does not refer to a congregation in general, but to “a man”, to each individual. Has anyone in your congregation ever gone to your Pastor and tell him something like, “I’d like to build this wall”? Not as an order, but saying, “Here’s the check,” or “Pastor, this is old, let’s sell it or take it down, here’s my contribution to improve things.” There are people who give orders but nothing else; they talk, criticize, mutter, but take no action.

We read in the parable of the barren fig tree: “He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 42 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?

And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down” (Luke 13: 6-9).

There are believers in the Church who want no responsibilities or commitments. What do they do there, then? They are weeds that bear no fruit but consume the nutrients of the earth. The vineyard owner, which is like God, says to the vineyard dresser, which is like the Holy Spirit: “It has been three years coming to this temple looking for the fruits of the brother and sister, but I find nothing but leaves, gossip, disputes, jealousy, conflicts, envy, theft, robbery, adulterous desire, desire to fornicate, and no fruits at all.”

The Lord says, “I come to sow the fruits but it is always the same: rebellion, disobedience, abuse, gossip and violence. They are always advised but anything changes.” The dresser of the vineyard, the Holy Spirit, answers, “Wait, give them one more year. I will fertilize, clear the ground, fumigate and advise them. If they bear fruit, glory be to God! But if they do not, my Lord, cut them down!”

Beloved, if you do not bear fruit, be sure that the Lord will harden your heart and that you will no longer feel any desire to go to the church, and you will get lost.

God has given you a great opportunity.

May the Lord help you bear fruit and grow new branches, new flowers and new fruits to extend His Work! Amen.

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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).

The Worldwide Missionary Movement in Peru held, on April 10, a mass event in which 2,085 people were baptized to consolidate their union with Jesus Christ. The group of faithful –men and women of different ages– made public their will to be part of the Work of MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 44 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

A LEAP OF FAITH M

ore than two thousand people were baptized in a mass ceremony held by the WMM in Peru.

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God and follow the path of the Gospel.

The place chosen for the ceremony was the CERTSE FAP recreation center, located in the south of Lima.

The spiritual celebration was attended by a great number of faithful and was led by Rev. Luis Meza Bocanegra,

International Officer of the WMM and National Supervisor of the WMM in Peru, along with the main leaders of the local congregation. He highlighted the importance of fulfilling the command of the Lord and encouraged those who have not decided yet to be baptized to

prevail in the faith.

At the service, the main preacher was Rev. Bernardo Neira, member of the National Board of the WMM in Peru. Based on Matthew 28:17-20, he said that, “it is important to take this leap of faith. You will probably be the

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next disciple of Jesus Christ. If you have decided to die to the world, do it with true conviction, not only for today, but for always. Be the man or woman that God will use in the future.”

TESTIMONIES OF FAITH Among the baptized there were stories of love for the Lord that touched the hearts of the attendees. One of those testimonies was that of José Aguilar Ríos, a deaf believer in a wheelchair who descended into the baptismal waters at the age of 97. This former official of the Peruvian Air Force (FAP) received the sacrament established by God. Now, he hopes to share the Good News until the Savior calls him to His side.

Another example was the testimony MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 46 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

event Photos: Roberto Guerrero y Allison Alcántara

of Victoria Rodríguez Anderson. She is an 81-year-old servant of God that spends her time helping sick people in public hospitals; she has surrendered to Jesus to become His representative among patients. Likewise, 15-year-old Marianela Valverde Tejada was baptized after two years struggling against her parents’ opposition.

Under a shimmering sun, more than 5,000 people from different parts of Lima attended the three-hour ceremony, whose most emotional moment was when the baptized worshipped God in unison. In this way, the Work of the Lord continues to reap souls for the flock of Christ in Peru.

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THE GOSPEL REACHED

INDIGENOUS TRIBES

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he Worldwide Missionary Movement in Colombia brought the Word to the native peoples settled in the basin of the Vaupés River.

The Worldwide Missionary Movement in Colombia has fulfilled the Lord’s command by spreading the Gospel of God among the indigenous Cubeo communities located along the basin of the Vaupés River. This people listened to the Good News from March 1 to Match 4.

In the middle of the Colombian rainforest, leaders, pastors and members of the local churches gathered for this event promoted by the WMM. The preaching had a positive impact among the unconverted indigenous, who listened attentively to the message about MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 48 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

the Lord’s plans for humanity.

The activity of the Work of God included different actions aimed at sharing the Gospel of God and spreading the Holy Scriptures. In addition, several Christian topics for the family, young members, missionaries and church leaders were discussed every day. Likewise, the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit, as stated in Acts 1: 8, was highlighted.

Rev. Eduard Sánchez, presbyter of the zone, guided the four-day event.

He also preached the World of the Almighty and evangelized the Cubeo people with the help of indigenous pastors from the WMM in Colombia.

Photos: Eduard Sánchez

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GO INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH

THE GOSPEL

M

embers of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Puerto Rico held an Evangelization Campaign in Juncos, located in the East Zone of the Lamb Island.

On March 25, the people of Juncos, located in the East Zone of the Caribbean country, received the special visit of a great number of members of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Puerto Rico. The brothers preached the Gospel at the Narciso Varona public residential complex.

The Good News of the Lord was shared through banners, flyers, testimonies and copies of Impacto Evangelistic. Women, men, young people and children MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 50 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

gathered as one to fulfill the command of the Savior: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel”. Door by door, the group of believers proclaimed the salvation through Jesus Christ and prayed for those who recognized the need of having Christ in their life.

In the morning, the followers of Jesus gathered at the Felipe Díaz Torres Park to hold a worship and witness the progress of the Lord’s Work in Puerto Rico. In addition, health professionals provided medical care to the residents of the Narciso Varona complex.

Hours later, before nightfall, Brother Luis Lebrón shared the message “Certainty,” based on Matthew 7: 13-14. In his speech, the Lord’s servant emphasized that one of the characteristics of believers is the certainty in Jesus Christ’s promises. Lebron also testified how his life was changed by God.

Fotos: Grabaciones Impacto

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RESTORING THE RESPONSIBILITIES

OF CHRISTIANS

T

he WMM in Brazil held its 6th National Convention of Men in the city of Manaus, in the heart of the rainforest.

The city of Manaus, capital of the Brazilian state of Amazonas, hosted from March 24 to March 26 the 6th National Convention of Men of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Brazil. The event, held under the motto “Restoring the Responsibilities of Christians,” gathered a great number of followers of Jesus Christ from the north of the country.

By the end of the spiritual event, the organizers of the 6th National Convention of Men emphasized that the activity of the Work of God was a great blessing for the Christian community located in Manaus. Likewise, they thanked the mass participation of brothers from diMISSIONARY MOVEMENT 52 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

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fferent churches of this city located in the heart of the largest tropical rainforest in the world.

During the three-day convention, a group of faithful from Manaus evangelized the people of God through His

Word. With sermons and messages based on different aspects of the Gospel, the servants of the Almighty shared the Good News of Christ.

Thus, the most populated city of the Brazilian Amazon was the chosen place

for the 6th National Convention of Men of the WMM in Brazil. In it, the commitments assumed by those who serve the Lord every day were highlighted, and it was made clear that God is the only savior of the world.

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CAMPAIGNS IN

BARCELONA AND TERRASSA

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R

ev. José Soto, Vice President of the WMM, shared the Gospel with the faithful of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Spain.

On March 16, the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Spain was visited by Rev. José Soto, International Vice President of the Work of God and Missionary Supervisor of Europe. He preached the Word of the Lord at an Evangelization Campaign held in the city of Barcelona, capital of the autonomous community of Catalonia.

Thanks to the servant of God, the attendees were deeply touched by the Good News.

Among songs and praises, Pastor Soto shared a preaching based on Genesis 27:15. In his message “A Broken Home,” which was attentively listened to by the faithful, the minister of Jesus Christ talked about broken families and stressed the importance of having a home guided and led by God. The Evangelization Campaign of the WMM in Spain gathered believers from the temples of Hospitalet, Terrassa, Girona, Mollerusa, Reus and Lleida. A great crowd came together to worship the Lord, while the Spanish members of the Work were fed on the message of Christ.

By the end of the event, Rev. Soto, along with the leaders of the WMM in Barcelona, thanked the attendees and stressed that Jesus is the only way to salvation. He also welcomed the souls who came to the altar to renew their faith in God and the families that gathered to thank the Creator for the blessings received.

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NEW DISCIPLES

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he Worldwide Missionary Movement in Argentina held baptisms in the Sierras de Córdoba and shared the Good News.

As part of its evangelizing mission, the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Argentina fulfilled the command established by God in Matthew 28:19: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 56 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” On January 7, baptisms were held in Anisacate, located in the department of Santa María, in the province of Córdoba.

In Anisacate, which is located in the Sierras de Córdoba, the Work of the Lord brought a group of believers to the baptismal waters. The new brothers decided to give their lives to the Almighty and share the Good News for the rest of their days. Pastor Ramon Encina, presbyter of Zone 5 of the WMM in Argentina, led the event, where people praised and wor-

shipped the Creator with great joy.

During the sacrament, the new members of the Work of the Almighty descended into the water to seal their union with the Lord. Once turned into new creatures, they committed themselves to preach the Gospel and defend the sound doctrine promoted by the WMM. By the end of the baptisms, the members of the local congregation thanked the attendees and claimed that the presence of God is becoming more powerful in the Sierras de Córdoba.

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NEW TEMPLE IN

NEW ZEALAND

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he Worldwide Missionary Movement opened a new church in the city of Hamilton.

Oceania is with the Lord.

The Worldwide Missionary Movement continues its expansion in the five continents. On March 17, the Work of the Lord opened a new temple in Oceania, in the city of Hamilton, the fourth largest metropolitan area of New Zealand. The inauguration was attended MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 58 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

by Rev. Rodolfo González Cruz, International Treasurer of the WMM, who preached the Gospel of God. The new church will be led by the Peruvian pastor William García, whose main objective is to follow the path of Rev. Luis M. Ortiz, founder of the WMM, and spread the Good News in New Zealand. Guided by the Lord, this servant of the Creator promised to fight hard to reach these goals and strengthen the presence of God in the country.

In his speech, Pastor González, one of the main leaders of the Worldwi-

de Missionary Movement, asked Jesus Christ to bless greatly Rev. García and to make of the new church in Hamilton a solid congregation. In addition, Rev. Rodolfo González is glad that this new house of the Almighty will serve for a group of faithful to give their lives to Christ.

In this way, the WMM has conquered another place in the world and consolidated its presence in Oceania, where it is currently present through a Work in Australia, led by Rev. Enoc Ramos, and the missionary work performed by a group of preachers of Jesus.

event Photos: Hector Montoya

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THE WORD

OF GOD IN NAPLES T

he WMM in Italy held an Evangelization Campaign in the most populated city in southern Italy As part of its evangelization work, the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Italy carried out an Evangelization Campaign on March 25 in the city of Naples, the most populated city in southern Italy.

The event gathered all the churches of the Work of God located in the southern area of the Italian Peninsula.

The evangelization activity included a march through the main streets in Naples and was led by Rev. Daniel Ortega, from the Church in Rome, and Sister María MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 60 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

event Photos: Maribel Gonzales

Brito, from the Church in Ischia. The event was also attended by brothers Edison Analuisa, from the Work in Lavin; Richard Concha, from the Work in Ancona, and Milton Baca, from the Work in Rome.

About 140 miles away from Rome, the WMM in Italy brought the Word of the Lord to the most important places of this city declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. Located on the western coast of southern Italy, Naples discovered the Good News through the members of the WMM. Thanks to the work conducted by the members of the Work of God, the message of the Almighty was well received by the Neapolitan population. The Evangelization Campaign ended with a worship in which the power of Jesus Christ and His teachings were discussed.

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THE LORD

REMEMBERED HER

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he Worldwide Missionary Movement in Belgium held its 3rd Fellowship of Women in the capital of Europe.

The city of Brussels, known as the “capital of Europe” because it is the official seat of the main institutions of the Old Continent, hosted the 3rd Fellowship of Women of the WMM in Belgium from March 31 to April 2. The spiritual activity gathered believers from the cities of Antwerp and Brussels.

With the attendance of Christian delegations from the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Italy, the event made it possible for the followers living in Belgium to receive the visit of the Lord for MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 62 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

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Photos: Eliezer Rivera

three days. In addition, the meeting, held under the motto “The Lord Remembered Her,� allowed Christian women to get together around God. At the 3rd Fellowship of Women of the WMM in Belgium, sisters Ruth Paisible (from the Church in Tilburg), Rosanna Roggeband (from the Church in Rotterdam) and Brunella Cabrera (from the Church in Florence) shared the Good News with the ladies of the Work in Belgium.

During the activity carried out by the WMM in Belgium, the Lord strengthened His flock and showed His power through three days of faith.

Likewise, among songs and worships, the Gospel was the core of this spiritual meeting.

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YOUTH AND

PASTOR RETREAT T

he Worldwide Missionary Movement in Uruguay held its Annual Youth and Pastor Retreat under the great power of the Lord.

The Worldwide Missionary Movement in Uruguay held its Annual Youth and Pastor Retreat from March 9 to MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 64 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

March 10 with the attendance of Rev. Gerardo Martínez, Missionary Supervisor of the Southern Cone, and his wife, missionary Maritza de Martínez, who came to this event from Chile.

During the Youth and Pastor Retreat, Rev. Martínez, National Supervisor of the WMM in Chile, and missionary Maritza de Martínez preached the Word of God and evangelized the be-

lievers of the congregation established in Uruguay. Both servants of the Lord shared the message of the Lord.

The Youth and Pastor Retreat of the WMM of Uruguay allowed the members of the Work of the Lord to enter into direct contact with the sound doctrine. The Gospel touched the hearts of the followers of Jesus Christ who attended the event.

Other Events

INDIA Convention in Panagudi

From March 23 to March 26, the Worldwide Missionary Movement in India held the Convention of the Southern Zone in Panagudi, located in the state of Tamil Nadu.

The event of the Work of God was attended by Rev. Sam Jacob, National Supervisor of the WMM in India, who preached the Word of the Lord to the followers of Jesus Christ. They were three intense days, with fasts, services and a meeting of pastors. A new temple was also inaugurated.

MEXICO Youth Campaign in Zone II

The Worldwide Missionary Movement in Mexico held from January 25 to January 27 an Evangelization Campaign in the community of Galeaba Morelos, which belongs to Zone II. Sister Alejandra Altamirano led this beautiful activity.

The event took place under the motto “What Do You Want Me To Do?” and was attended by Rev. Dariel Rojas, Presbyter of Zone II of the WMM in Mexico, Sister Yajaira Mendoza, and other pastors and collaborators of the Work of God. There was a retreat in the first morning, and the main preacher was Pastor Rojas, who shared the message “Apostasy Leads to Heresy.” In the afternoon, Sister Mendoza preached the Gospel with her message “Young People and Their Experiences with God.” On the second day, Rev. Rojas shared again the Good News of the Lord with a message entitled “The Importance of Brokenness.” Hours later, Sister Mendoza evangelized the Mexican faithful through a preaching called “The Generation of the Last Days.”

At the end of the Evangelization Campaign, Pastor Rojas presented the message “Doubts of Your Doubts.” After that, the Gospel was shared by Sister Mendoza through a message based on Daniel 1:8.

event

MYANMAR Meeting of Pastors

From March 16 to March 17, the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Myanmar held a Meeting of Pastors, which was attended by about twenty ministers of God. The event was used by the representatives of the Work to speak about the progress of the WMM in Myanmar.

During the meeting, Rev. Aung Kyaw Moe, National Supervisor of the WMM in Myanmar, shared the Word of God, and a family and a pastor approached to know how to become a part of the WMM. Likewise, pastors agreed to hold a vigil every three months to strengthen the work of evangelization.

SWITZERLAND Anniversary in Langenthal

On February 2 and 4, the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Switzerland celebrated the fifth anniversary of the presence of the Work of God in Langenthal. In addition, a new temple was opened.

The activities of both days were broadcast by Ebenezer radio in Switzerland. Pastors Jimy Rodríguez and Patricia Almache shared the Word of God with the attendees.

Sister Almache shared the message “Building Walls in Uprightness and Responsibility,” and Pastor Rodríguez presented the preaching “Working amid Adversity.”

With the attendance of about 150 faithful, the meetings served to consolidate the growth of the WMM in Switzerland.

May 2017 / Impacto evangelistic

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