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THE MAGAZINE THATS EDIFIES YOUR LIFE
July 2015 / Edition 738
evangelistic TESTIMONY
Oliver and Liliana, Music for the Lord
La web OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
HEROES OF FAITH
WORLDWIDE MISSIONARY MOVEMENT
John Huss, the Precursor of the Reformation REPORT
Ecuador preparing for the Fifth South American Congress
The benefits and dangers of
ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE
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WORLDWIDE MISSIONARY MOVEMENT
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EDITORIAL
IF THOU PREPARE THINE HEART Rev. Gustavo Martínez International President of the WMM
“If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him; if iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles. For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear…” Job 11: 13-15.
T
he Bible says: “If thou prepare thine
heart” (Job 11: 13). Benediction depends on our disposition, on our willingness to receive the Word of God. The Lord was looking for people with empty spirits that He could fill up, but they were full of other things. In Nazareth, there was nothing he could not do, as people were full of skepticism. In Gadara, by only freeing two men, He was sent off the region. Nevertheless, in Samaria, he was told to remain, so He stayed for a few days, healed the sick and made wonderful things. There are people full of theological concepts, wrong ideas that come from people who are spiritually dead. And when you receive something that comes from death, then you become dead too. Even though “the word of God is quick and powerful…” (Hebrews 4: 12), you will not receive any blessing if you close your heart. However, if you are thirsty for God and expect great things, you will never be the same again. The psalmist said: “They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God” (Psalm 84: 7); he does not say that they weaken. As years pass by and preachers grow old, they end up with no message, completely withered, as if they had never been anointed with oil. Why? Because it came the time when they thought that they had everything, that they did not have to look for God anymore.
Beloved, how big is your capacity to receive and hold? There are those who can receive but cannot hold. Paul states: “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught” (2 Thessalonians 2: 15); and the Spirit claims: “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” (Revelation 3: 11). The Bible also speaks about the glorious experience of two blind people: “And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, what will ye that I shall do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him” (Matthew 20: 30-34). Both of them wanted the blessing, they wanted a touch from God. They were sure that something would happen, and their eyes opened. There are those who want the benediction but do not have any space for God, as there are things in their hearts that should not be there. These things must go if they want His blessing. Beloved, make room in your heart now and you will receive the benediction of God, our Lord. Amen l July 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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evangelistic Founder Director: Rev. Luis M. Ortiz July 2015 / Edition N° 738 (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
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Copyright © 2009 Impacto Evangelistic Movimiento Misionero Mundial, Inc. (World-Wide Missionary Movement, Inc.) All content of this magazine and each subsequent edition are duly registered at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC USA. All rights reserved. Total or partial reproduction in any form and translation into other languages without prior permission of the Director are prohibited. Under international copyright agreements, they are crimes punishable by law. n
Doctrinal Statement The Worldwide Missionary Movement adheres to the fundamental doctrines of Scripture, such as: n
• 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:
6. Cover. The Awakening of Machines.
48. Events. BRAZIL: Decorating the Doctrine.
14. Infography. The Road To Artificial Intelligence.
52. Events. Puerto Rico: We Must Put Faith Into Action.
16. Well-being. Cancer. 20. History. Decadent Societies. 22. Reality. The Book of Books. 24. Literature. Christian In The Global Village. 28. Music. The Holy Scriptures. 30. Hero of faith. The Precursor of the Reformation. 34. Life Stories. Oliver and Liliana, Music for the Lord. 40. Devotional. We Are Not Of Them Who Draw Back.
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55. Events. CHILE: The Victory Through Jesus Christ. 56. Events. COLOMBIA: The Harvest Is Plenteous. 58. Events. SWEDEN: The Power of the Word. 60. Events. ITALY: Renew Me As Before. 61. Events. GENOA: Faithful Until Death. 62. Events. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Leaving a Good Legacy.
42. Devotional. A Dear Act. 44. Devotional. I Will Not Let You Go. 46. The Congress. The Value of Faithfulness.
July 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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THE AWAKENING OF
MACHINES The term “artificial intelligence” is very commonly used these days, as there are machines that, thanks to new technologies, are able to do many things better than humans. Nevertheless, many renowned scientists have warned against the dangers that this technological development poses to mankind.
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COVER
A
t the beginning of 2015, about 700 scientists specialized in different technological areas signed an open letter warning against the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI). Scientists therefore showed their concern against a possible independence of the AI, which would be able to come to live and exceed human configurations. Those in charge of these devices would lose control over machines, which would be able to act against their creators. These scientists, among whom are Stephen Hawking, Elon Musk and Verno Vinge, as well as many others renowned spe-
cialists in science and technology, issued an open letter entitled Research Priorities for Robust and Beneficial Artificial Intelligence: an Open Letter. This letter considers many years of research on AI and one of its main warnings is the possibility of unwanted and even harmful behavior from AI systems in environments not properly controlled. According to the letter, research should focus on the compliance of security measures by those working on AI, in order to prevent a robotic rebellion if there is any problem. There have been many reactions to this
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document and several catastrophic scenarios have been described – certainly more typical of science fiction – warning against a rebellion of machines and the extinction of humanity.
THE END OF HUMAN RACE? British physicist Stephen Hawking says that the efforts to create an advanced AI may risk the survival of mankind. The scientist states that the advances on this field could “spell the end of the human race” if AI systems surpass human intelligence. “It (AI) would take off on its own and re-design itself at an ever increasing rate,” the physicist asserts. Hawking remarked that the intelligent systems developed along the years have been useful to mankind, but he warned that they may become a danger in the future. “Humans, who are limited by slow biological evolution, could not compete (against robots), and would be superseded,” Hawking affirmed. Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, declared that we should be worried about the threat that this type of innovations poses. “I am in the camp that is concerned about super intelligence,” he added. “First, the machines will do a lot of jobs for us and not be super intelligent. That should be positive if we manage it well. A few decades after that, though, the intelli-
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gence is strong enough to be a concern,” he explains. Philosophers like Nick Bostrom, from The Future of Humanity Institute of the University of Oxford, also joined this campaign. Bostrom states that AI poses a danger even greater than climate change, though he says that it is not a forecast, but a warning. Ramón López de Mántaras, Director of The Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (IIIA) belonging to the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), considers that autonomous weapons are a threat. The IT National Prize 2012 and signatory of the letter remarks that “the development of AI to obtain soldier robots is a major concern since it is almost impossible for a robot to differentiate between an innocent citizen and a soldier.” Concepción Monje, researcher of the Robotics Lab of the Carlos III University and science consultant for the film Autómata, explains that “we will have, sooner or later, the robots and intelligent machines from the movies. These technologies will confuse us and it will be very difficult to tell whether we are in front of a human or a machine.” Then comes the fear.
FICTION THAT COULD BE REAL The countless benefits of AI and computers have so far changed the world for good.
PHOTO: AFP
COVER
The most famous story of the risks that a machine able to think by itself may pose is undoubtedly that of the HAL computer in “2001: A Space Odyssey,” the science fiction masterpiece by Stanley Kubrick in 1968 based on a story by writer Arthur C. Clarke. HAL, which was in charge of monitoring the vital signs on the vessel “Discovery,” rebels against the crew and kills three astronauts. It loses its mind – cybermind in this case – and ends up singing crazily. Finally, the only surviving astronaut manages to disconnect it. AI threats are also the main subject of many novels made by the renowned Isaac Asimov, who created some laws of Robotics on which are based the dilemmas of his stories. His three laws state are: (1) A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to
WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE? Artificial Intelligence (AI) concerns the way computers, robots and other devices can perform tasks that would normally require human intelligence. For instance, resolving some types of problems, discerning objects and answering verbal questions. AI gathers techniques that, through electronic circuits and advanced computing programs, aims to imitate inductive and deductive procedures similar to those of the human brain. It is based on research of human neuronal networks and aims to electronically copy brain functioning.
harm; (2) a robot must obey the orders given it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law; and (3) a robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws. Movies like “Terminator” and “I, Robot” are also related to these laws.
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S
ome years ago, I was having dinner in Madrid –I had not yet gone into exile from Spain– with my daughter and Daniel Estulin, the man who knows the most about the Bilderberg Club worldwide. During the conversation, which was certainly interesting, Daniel Estulin unexpectedly said to my daughter: “You belong to the last generation that will be completely human. Those who come after you will have become robots with both mechanical and human parts.” She raised her eyebrows surprised by those words. Her admiration for Estulin was (and still is) great, but those words went beyond what I was willing to accept. Is it true that the next generations will replace their human condition with machines to the point of making them part of their own organism? Are we on the inevitable way towards the apparition of organisms in which AI systems are no longer an instrument but their ruler? Will we really witness the existence of beings, not only with memory and analysis capacities greater than ours, but also capable of thinking independently? My daughter found that difficult to believe, logically. Estulin’s idea concerns a temptation as old as the temptation causing the fall of the first humans. The Hebrew text in Genesis 3: 5 states that the words of the snake that temped Eve were: “ve-heyytém qe-Elohim,” which is translated as “and you shall be as god,” or “and you shall be as gods.” There is actually no difference, because becoming a god implies pretending to be like God. If the first humans wanted to accept the proposal, it was because they would have known what was good and bad, and they would have also been able to dominate the creating power that belongs to God only. Therefore, the lust for the power to create something that can compete with God’s creation has always been engraved in the human heart. There are many cases to be mentioned, but I will only focus on some of them. For MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 10 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
FROM JUANELO TO ESTULIN, INCLUDING FRANKENSTEIN César Vidal
instance, the Golem legend during the Middle Ages. It tells that some cabalists experienced in occult arts acquired the power to create humans from mud. By saying some magical words, they could turn mud figures into living beings. Of course, this story is nothing but a suggestive legend, but it shows to which point people yearned and still yearn for God’s creating power. Juanelo Turriano was supposed to be closer to this goal. He was the clockmaker of Emperor Carlos V, monarch of Spain, whose period on power was marked by the conquest and annihilation of great empires such as the Aztecs and the Incas. Juanelo made the Cristalino, an
astronomical clock that made him famous all over the Spanish empire. Despite the brilliance of his achievement, it was not enough for the Spanish monarchy. Philip II, son of Charles V (who was known for his aversion to Protestants, whom he burnt mercilessly) had other purposes for Juanelo, who was named Matemático mayor (“Senior Mathematician”). Therefore, Juanelo invented the Artificio, an engine that could lift water from the Tagus river, which crosses Toledo, to supply the king’s castle (The Alcázar). Then his career reached its highest point. Following the orders of Philip II himself, he made an automaton that could supposedly act as a human being. But the device, like the
Golem, never became a human with flesh and bones. When he died in 1585, Juanelo had not managed to create a human being, or any other invention with superior intelligence or capacities for that matter. Nonetheless, the desire remained in the heart of some people. During the Industrial Revolution, when trains shortened distances and ships changed their sails for steam, an English woman named Mary Shelley passed by the castle of Frankenstein where, according to the legend, an alchemist used to live. That was the origin of one of the most famous novels ever written: Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus. It tells the story of a doctor who tried to recreate human life from the rests of bodies from the cemetery. He succeeded, but the result was the well-known monster repeatedly taken to the big screen. In 1921, Czech author Karel Capek toyed again with the possibility of creating a mechanic being he called “robot” – from the Slav root “rabot”, which means “work”– that could do all the tasks that people would like to get rid of. Over time, robots came to exist, but not as Capek thought. They are but servants of humans with no will, judgment or independence. After all, humans have limited capacities even when they go morally astray, and the consequences of their attempts to become God have always been disastrous. On their first attempt, humans lost their privileged situation and obtained a life marked by conflict among each other, terrible work conditions and a hostile separation from nature and especially from God. That decision carried tragic consequences that persist until today. It is always the same. When the lost heart of man tries to attain what is only within God’s power, it fails miserably and suffers horrible consequences, even when they believe that they can create an intelligence that can surpass ours and make free and reasonable decisions. So, Daniel Estulin, my good friend and first worldwide specialist in the Bilderberg Club, think again l
PHOTO: AFP
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THE DEVELOPMENT OF ROBOTICS Japan leads the way concerning the development of humanoids (robots that imitate human body), but China has recently entered the competition. They are developing machines able to learn. The DeepMind algorithm learns alone to play Atari video games. Watson, the AI from IBM, beat the best contestants of the US program Jeopardy and is now “learning” Medicine. It can take answers from many encyclopedias in a matter of seconds by deductive processes. There are also machines that trick hu-
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mans with false emotions. In 2014, chatbot Eugene Goostman passed the Turing Test – according to which, the machine able to approve it is considered intelligent – by impersonating a 13-year-old Ukrainian. He tricked 33% of the judges, but it was criticized, as its success did not imply any real intelligence, but a cunning programming strategy. MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 12 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
There are machines that release single albums and play with the prestigious London Symphony Orchestra. Computer program Iamus, developed by Francisco J. Vico from Spain, can create original music. The media has named it the “Mozartmachine.” “We did not have mobile phones a decade ago, now you see. We have algorithms
COVER
COULD IT BE DANGEROUS? The difference between human intelligence and abilities and those of robots and computers is shrinking. But machines and AI systems lack two very important features: feelings and ethics. Therefore, they cannot discern correctly good from bad, as its behavior depends on programming and not rationality. So, in case of, failure, they could harm those around. AI cannot become a toy in the wrong hands. It is not the first time that we are told about the dangers of AI.
weapons. The campaign “Stop Killer Robots,” started by the International Committee for Robot Arms Control (ICRAC), is joining efforts together to obtain the banning of this technology before it becomes a reality. The true fear is not that AI systems will become conscious and destroy human race. We are already able to build “stupid robots” that can kill and that is “dangerous enough.” The main danger of this technology is war itself. “Will machines destroy us?”
able to minimize errors, even for tasks that require handling. You only have to teach the robot how to take a cup and then it will be able to detect if moved and extrapolate that trajectory towards a new position. That already shows some sort of intelligence,” Concepción Monje states. This primitive understanding has alarmed the world, as we can create automate
OTHER IMPACTS There are other concerns, such as the impact on employment and economic powers, or the delegation to robots of the care of elders and children. The possible negative effects focus on employment and especially on the invasion of our privacy. The subsidiary of Airbus in Cádiz, for example, is testing humanoids in its factory. Scientists wonder if they could do the same in the services sector, i.e. making reports, preparing activities and teaching at university. A research of the University of Oxford states that robots would cover 47% of modern work positions over the next years, but new ones would also be created. There are already AI systems that write news or are very precise assistants in surgery, like the Da Vinci or Córdoba robots. The most immediate prevision is that the transportation system will experience a revolution in the next ten or twenty years. This a priority for the United Kingdom, since it will mean a reduction of traffic jams and accidents. Instant translation machines are also real possibilities. Let us then use machines for good and not for bad: for art, culture, genetic development or nanotechnology, but not for destruction l
There are also machines that trick humans with false emotions. In 2014, chatbot Eugene Goostman passed the Turing Test – according to which, the machine able to approve it is considered intelligent – by impersonating a 13-year-old Ukrainian.
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THE ROAD TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
“And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image o
Advances in the development of artificial intelligence (AI) have allowed computers to beat people at chess and Jeopardy!, make autonomous vehicles and manage your agenda. But despite the progress, people are still investing millions of dollars in research and development in order to make machines aware of themselves. Some
believe that the resulting technological singularity will eradicate poverty and disease, while others warn that it could endanger human survival, as said by the greatest personalities in science and technology, such as Wozniak and Stephen Hawking.
1984: The first “Terminator” movie represents a future world where humanity is overcome by killing machines led by artificial intelligence Skynet.
1950: ALAN TURING introduces the Turing Test in his book “Computing machinery and intelligence”.
1956: During a
conference at Dartmouth, AI was announced and the term “artificial intelligence” was assigned. (Image below: IBM 702 computer, first used for AI).
19 80
19 60 19 50 19 70
1987: TV series “Star Trek: The Next Generation” introduces an android lieutenant that is aware of himself.
1978: Sci-fi TV series “Battlestar Galactica” introduces warrior robots called “Cylons.”
1950:
ISAAC ASIMOV publishes a novel that has had a major impact on sci-fi: “I, ROBOT” (a film was made in 2004).
1968: “2001: A Space
Odyssey”, book by Arthur C. Clarke and film by Stanley Kubrick, tells the story of an emotional and deadly computer, the HAL 9000.
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of the beast should be killed” ºRevelation 13:15. 2005: Inventor and futurist Ray Kurzweil predicts an event called “The Singularity,” which will happen around 2045, when the intelligence of artificial minds will surpass that of the human brain.
2011: Computador IBM Watson gana “jeopardy!”, superando a los ex campeones rutter brad y ken jennings.
2005: Stanford’s vehicle wins the DARPA Grand Challenge for autonomously driving through the desert for about 211 kilometers.
2012: Google develops a brain-shaped computer cluster that manages to recognize a cat among millions of pictures in YouTube videos.
2015: Facebook announces it will invest $40 million in artificial intelligence, the company is betting big on it because they want to create smarter and more useful services to users, Zuckerberg said.
20 10 19 90
2011: Apple introduces the intelligent personal asistant SIRI to the iPhone 4S.
20 00
2015: “I DON’T HAVE ETHICS,” said Google's
artificial intelligence. The company unveiled a conversation with an AI system known as “chatbot.” This program managed to talk about the meaning of life. .
2001: Steven Spielberg makes a
1997: The IBM Deep Blue computer beats the current world chess champion Garry Kasparov.
movie, originally developed by Stanley Kubrick, about a boy robot: “A.I.:Artificial Intelligence.”
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PHOTO: AFP
CANCER Cancer is a generic term for a large group of diseases that can affect any part of the body. Other terms used are malignant tumors and neoplasms. Walter Menchola Vásquez (*)
O
ne defining feature of cancer is the rapid creation of abnormal cells that grow beyond their usual boundaries, and which can then invade adjoining parts of the body and spread to other organs. Metastases are the major cause of death from cancer. Cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In 2012, there were about 14 million new cases and 8.2 million people died of this disease. It is expected that the number of new cases will increase by about 70% over the next twenty (20) years.
WHAT CAUSES CANCER? Cancer arises from one single cell. The transformation from a normal cell into a tumors cell is a multistage process, typically a progression from a pre-cancerous lesion MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 16 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
to malignant tumors. These changes are the result of the interaction between a person’s genetic factors and three categories of external agents, including: 1. Physical carcinogens, such as ultraviolet or ionizing radiation. 2. Chemical carcinogens, such as asbestos, components of tobacco smoke, aflatoxin (a food contaminant) and arsenic (a drinking water contaminant). 3. Biological carcinogens, such as infections from certain viruses, bacteria or parasites. Ageing is another fundamental factor for the development of cancer. The incidence of cancer rises dramatically with age, most likely due to a build up of risks for specific cancers that increase with age. The overall risk accumulation is combined with the tendency for cellular repair mechanisms
WELL-BEING
to be less effective as a person grows older. In short, risk factors can be biological (viruses, aging), chemical or physical agents, and, in many cases, inherited genetic traits that predispose to this disease, especially when they coexist with risk factors. Furthermore, we must keep in mind that cancer is a large group of diseases with a wide combination of causes.
RISKS FACTORS FOR CANCER: Tobacco use, alcohol use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity are the main cancer risk factors worldwide. Some chronic infections are risk factors for cancer and have major relevance in low- and middle-income countries. Hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and some types of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) increase the risk for liver and cervical cancer respectively. Infection with HIV substantially increases the risk of cancer such as cervical cancer. HOW CAN THE BURDEN OF CANCER BE REDUCED? Knowledge about the causes of cancer, and interventions to prevent and manage the disease is extensive. Cancer can be reduced and controlled by implementing evidencebased strategies for cancer prevention, early detection of cancer and management of patients with cancer. Many cancers have a high chance of cure if detected early and treated adequately. MODIFYING AND AVOIDING RISK FACTORS: Prevention strategies: • Increase avoidance of the risk factors listed above. • Vaccinate against human papilloma virus (HPV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV). • Control occupational hazards. • Reduce exposure to non-ionizing radiation by sunlight (UV). • Reduce exposure to ionizing radiation (occupational or medical diagnostic imaging). EARLY DETECTION: Cancer mortality can be reduced if cases are detected and treated early. There are 2 components of early detection efforts:
1. Early diagnosis: The awareness of early signs and symptoms (for cancer types such as skin, cervical, breast, colorectal and oral) in order to get them diagnosed and treated at early stage. Early diagnosis is particularly relevant when there is no effective screening methods or – as in many low-resource settings – no screening and treatment interventions implemented. In absence of any early detection or screening and treatment intervention, patients are diagnosed at very late stages when curative treatment is no longer an option. 2. Screening: Screening aims to identify individuals with abnormalities suggestive of a specific cancer or pre-cancer and refer them promptly for treatment or when feasible for diagnosis and treatment. Screening programmes are especially effective for frequent cancer types for which cost-effective, affordable, acceptable and accessible screening tests are available to the majority of the population at risk.
SOME EXAMPLES ARE: A. Visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) for cervical cancer in low-resource settings. B. HPV testing for cervical cancer. C. PAP cytology test for cervical cancer in middle- and high-income settings. D. Mammography screening for breast cancer in high-income settings. E. Detection of prostate antigens in men over 50 years in middle- and high- income settings. In short, the earlier the diagnosis of precancerous or cancerous lesions, the higher the chances of cure. Similarly, it is important to control, eliminate or minimize risk factors of cancer diseases, especially in people with a family history of cancer. In 2013, WHO launched the Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases 2013-2020 that aims to reduce by 25% premature mortality from cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases by 2025. Some of the voluntary targets are most relevant for cancer prevention, including the target aimed at reducing the prevalence of tobacco use by 30%. I wish you all good health, unity and harmony l
(*) Internist, Master in Management and Public Policy July 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind…” 1 Corinthians 6:9.
FAITH THREATENED IN THE
UNITED STATES
The legalization of gay marriage in the United States sets a new scene for Christian churches whose faith is threatened by this legal concept. In fact, prior to that decision there were already serious risks to pastors, as occurred in Idaho. In October last year, two Christian ministers in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, were threatened with receiving a legal punishment or being forced to sell their nearly 100-yearold wedding chapel, if they refused to perform same-sex “wedding” ceremonies.
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“Many have denied that pastors would ever be forced to perform ceremonies that are completely at odds with their faith, but that’s what is happening here – and it’s happened this quickly,” Jeremy Tedesco, senior legal counsel with the legal group
PHOTO: AFP
INTERNATIONAL
Alliance Defending Freedom, said on that occasion. “The government should not force ordained ministers to act contrary to their faith under threat of jail time and criminal fines,” he said. “The city cannot erase these fundamental freedoms and replace them with government coercion and intolerance” Tedesco responded to the changing legal climate in Idaho, which is threatening the work of David and Evelyn Knapp, ordained ministers of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel. Married for 47 years, the couple has operated the 95-year-old Hitching Post Wedding Chapel since 1989.
Coeur d’Alene’s city officials told the Knapps that their refusal to perform a same-sex ceremony at their chapel violated the city’s anti-discrimination policy. For each day they refused to perform the ceremony, they faced up to 180 days in jail and up to $1 000 in fines. The city’s application of its anti-discrimination ordinance followed a federal court override of Idaho’s constitutional amendment that defined marriage as a union of one man and one woman. Reactions against On the other hand, the legalization of same-sex marriage in America has generated the fierce rejection of a large sector of the population, including several Supreme Court justices who voted against and two Republican candidates. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia finds the majority decision of the court in favor of same-sex marriage unacceptable by the lack of representativeness. Scalia argues in his dissent that none of the nine Supreme Court judges represent the so-called “Bible Belt”, which brings together most of the opponents to the full legalization of same-sex marriage. “To allow the policy question of samesex marriage to be considered and resolved by a select, patrician, is to violate a principle even more fundamental than no taxation without representation: no social transformation without representation”, says Scalia, whose opinion is shared by three other judges defeated by a narrow margin of five votes in favor of gay marriage. Clarence Thomas is another judge against the decision; he argued that “the government cannot bestow dignity and cannot take it away.” Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum refused the decision of the Court via Twitter. “Today, 5 unelected judges redefined the foundational unit of society. The Court is 1 of 3 coequal branches of government and they have an imperfect record. Stakes are too high to cede marriage to unelected judges. Now it is the people’s turn to speak,” he wrote. The also Republican candidate Jeb Bush used his personal blog to object the decision. “I believe the Supreme Court should have allowed the states to make this decision,” he wrote l July 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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DECADENT
SOCIETIES Throughout history, all the decadent societies that have subsequently disappeared have had a common denominator: depravity and disregard for marriage and family. The phenomenon repeats today. Are we witnessing the beginning of the end?
One indicator that shows the condition of a society has to do with the state of marriage and family. When we examine cases of infamous societies that were later destroyed, we see that the common denominator is the distortion, in theory or in practice, of the notion of marriage and family. For this reason, they are justly called ‘decadent societies.’ The first case of decadent society is the one founded by Cain, one of whose descendants broke for the first time the guideline that marriage is a matter between a man and a woman. Cain’s civilization was prosperous in all respects, as it had the economic and aesthetic elements of any human community, such as exploitation of real estate, tool making and artistic creation. Everything went smoothly, or so it seemed to them, to the point that they invented a new rule for marriage, through which a man could take two women at the same time. It was no coincidence that this happened within Cain’s civilization – thus ignoring what God had commanded in the beginning –, as its founder had personally turned his back on God before. Like father, like son. Throughout history, we find another case of decadent society: the one destroyed by the flood. In fact, it was no different from Cain’s; it was the same but at its worst. The reasons that led to the catastrophe had to do with the sexual desire raised to the level of supreme good, before which everything else was relegated to a second place. What mattered above all was sexual satisfaction, and everything standing in the MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 20 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
way of such satisfaction was shattered. All boundaries defining an impassable border were systematically breached in order to get what they wanted. Unrestrained sex was their god. It should be noted that this tide of decadence reached the salt that had been preserving the social organism of corruption, that is, God’s children, who got involved in the prevailing flood of filth, thus smashing their holiness code. Another decadent society is Sodom and Gomorrah, where tolerance and freedom became hallmarks. It was an open and prosperous society; in fact, Abraham’s nephew decided to move there because of the economic benefits. There, the old principles of marriage and family had been transgressed. Why not allow and approve of sexual relations between people of the same sex? No sooner said than done. The old family parameters were too narrow and the new values were hailed as a social conquest and unprecedented progress. Only a freak would have condemned such social progress, which was initially promoted by some who dared to go beyond the norm, until the vast majority finally supported the proposal. A decadent proposal that ended in the worst possible way. To the Canaanite we owe the invention of the alphabet, the signs that represent the basic phonemes of language. They were the fathers of writing, in the way that modern nations know it. They were great traders who traveled great distances to do business and establish thriving colonies; they were a vibrant and brilliant society in economics and science. However, decadence was part of their world, because their beliefs – what
HISTORY
“Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.� Luke 17:28-30.
we today call values – lacked moral. Or rather, immorality was the norm, as already represented in their deities. For this reason, the people of Israel was warned beforehand to avoid the abominations that the Canaanites were practicing, such as incest, adultery, homosexuality and zoophilia. All this, together with other degrading practices, caused the extermination sentence pronounced against them. Ortega y Gasset said that the Roman Empire is the only early empire whose full cycle of existence is known: its origin, rise, development, peak, decline and fall have been registered. Nonetheless, beyond the greatness and glory of military conquests, achievements in jurisprudence and political and artistic
thought, the foundations of that civilization were corroded, as described by the apostle Paul in chapter 1 of his letter to the Christian congregation in Rome. The moral foundation, on which the society was built, was leaking everywhere, and the boundaries defining the notion of legitimate sexuality were the least of their flaws. We are certainly living in a decadent society, if we compare our marriage and family parameters with those of past decadent societies. However, our case is even more serious, if we consider that they did not know more light than their own darkened conscience. But we, having had the Light, have deliberately turned our back on it. It will be then impossible, if there is no change, to escape the consequences l
We are certainly living in a decadent society, if we compare our marriage and family parameters with those of past decadent societies. However, our case is even more serious, if we consider that they did not know more light than their own darkened conscience.
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THE BOOK
OF BOOKS Over the last fifty years, it has been reported that the Bible has been the best-selling book in the world’s history. Its power is enormous at all levels.
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he Bible was written by about 40 men over the course of about 1600 years – from 1500 B.C. to 100 A.D. These men wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21), not in words of human wisdom but in words taught by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:13).
OVERVIEW OF THE BIBLE • The first printed edition with characters came off the press of the German inventor Johannes Gutenberg in 1455. • From that year until now, about four billion copies of the Bible have been printed either totally or partially, breaking the record for the most printed book in the world. • In the 4th century, Pope Damasus I commanded St. Jerome to create a uniform translation of the Bible, suitable for prayer and liturgical use. The translation, duly completed according to the canon of the Roman Catholic Church, is called Latin Vulgate. “Vulgate” because it was written in the vulgar language of the time. The translation of the Vulgate Bible by St. Jerome was done from the Aramaic into Latin. • In 1543, Francisco de Enzinas translated the New Testament directly from Greek into Spanish for the first time. • In 1569, Cassiodoro de Reina translated the entire Bible into Spanish. This version was known as The Bear Bible because it had a picture of a bear on the cover. • Cipriano de Valera reviewed the Reina version of the Bible in Spanish in 1602. This version of the Bible was called Reina-Valera. Note that these versions are not used by the Roman Catholic Church, but by Christians evangelists. MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 22 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
• It was not until 1782 that the Spanish Inquisition allowed the publication of the Bible in Spanish. The first Spanish translation made in America was The Vence Mexican Bible, which was published in Mexico in 1831. • The current Bible division into chapters appears to have been drafted in the 11th century by Lanfranc, counselor of William the Conqueror. At the beginning of the 13th century, in Paris, Stephen Langton, a professor at the Sorbonne who became Archbishop of Canterbury, developed the division of the Bible. He established a division into chapters, more or less equal, very similar to that we have today in our printed Bibles. By 1226, Paris booksellers introduced these divisions into the chapters of the biblical text, leading to what is known as the Paris Bible. Since then, the division became universal. • The first biblical book printed in this versed and numbered presentation was Psalms, specifically Psalterium Quintuplex by Lefevre D’Etaples, published in 1509 in Paris by the famous Protestant printer Henri Estienne, who held the prestigious title of Printer to the King for the Hebrew, Latin and Greek. • Robert Estienne (or Stephanus), son of Henri, popularized the use of the numbering of all the Bible verses. For the protocanonical books (protos, “first”) of the Old Testament, he adopted the division system of the Italian Dominican in the late 15th century, Sanctes Paginus. For deuterocanonical books (deuteros, “second”) and the New Testament, he developed a new division. In 1551, he published the Greek New Testament, and the entire Bible in
REALIDAD REALITY
Latin four years later. In both cases, the numbers of verses were not in the biblical text, but on the margin. In 1565, Theodore Beza writes the numbers of verses within the text itself. • There are 66 books in the Bible, 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New. • In the OT, the longest book is Psalms. The shortest book is Obadiah. • In the NT, the longest book is Acts. The shortest is 3 John. • Isaiah is referenced 419 times in 23 NT books, Psalms 414 times in 23 books, and Genesis 260 times in 21 books.
UNUSUAL THINGS IN THE BIBLE • Methuselah lived to be 969 years old (Genesis 5:27). • Sons of God married the daughters of men (Genesis 6:2). • Baby had a scarlet thread tied around its hand before it was born (Genesis 38:2829).
• Battle won because a man stretched out his hand (Exodus 17:11). • Man was spoken to by a donkey (Numbers 22:28-30). • One who had a bed 13-feet long and 6-feet wide (Deuteronomy 3:11). • The women who had to shave their heads before they could marry an Israelite (Deuteronomy 21:11-13). • Sun stood still for a whole day (Joshua 10:13). • An army with 700 left-handed men (Judges 20:16). • Man whose hair weighed about 6 pounds when it was cut annually (2 Samuel 14:26). • Man who had 12 fingers and 12 toes (2 Samuel 21:20). • Father who had eighty-eight children (2 Chronicles 11:21). • The sun traveled ten degrees backward (Isaiah 38:8). • A harlot was an ancestor of Christ (Matthew 1:5) l July 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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CHRISTIAN IN
THE GLOBAL VILLAGE In his book, Antonio Cruz, a renowned evangelical writer, makes a strong defense of the faith in God in modern times. It is instructive, convincing and quite reflective.
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LITERATURE
T
his world of globalization, generator of rapid and uncontrolled changes, scandals of all kinds and information chaos, tends to make people join local movements that provide certain fundamental identity, a solid and immutable basis to rely on. Such organizations can be of national, regional, ethnic or religious nature. This leads, for exam-
ple, to the fundamentalism that does not hesitate to take up arms. Currently, such aggressive and intolerable groups exist in the Isla-
mic, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish and Christian world. PhD in Theology specialized in the Old Testament and New Testament, Antonio Cruz Suarez is a servant of the Lord who has contributed, through a series of publications, to consolidate the Christian faith in modern times. Likewise, this renowned lecturer has numerous international awards for his work and has devoted, in different periods of his life, to scientific research, teaching and pastoring. In his book “Christian In The Global Village,” pastor Cruz contributes to reflect on the Gospel at the dawn of a new century. God still has power today to make the “swords” designed by humans to kill become “plowshares” capable of supporting life, and transform the “spears into pruninghooks” able to cut the vital wheat, as written by Isaiah almost twenty centuries ago (2: 4). But He wants, above all, each person to know Him, to walk in His ways, to repent of their spiritual rebellion and, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, to be at peace with God and begin to live with justice and responsibility.
SIGNS OF THE TIMES Designed to respond in faith to the challenges of today’s world, “Christian In The Global Village” aims to make the followers of Jesus Christ look at the future that awaits them in the faith in God and examine the new questions that are beginning to arise in the world. Its author, raised in an evangelical home, passes on through his work his wide knowledge of the Protestant apologetics. In this regard, it should be noted that Dr. Antonio Cruz says that Christians of the third millennium have a moral obligation to recognize the signs of the times. Exoduses, or the departures of a large number of people, have been around since ancient times. Humans have been changing their place of residence since the mists of time in order to seek better lands, new food or healthier climates. The Bible describes some of these migrations; for example, the patriarch Abraham left the land of Ur of the
Exoduses, or the departures of a large number of people, have been around since ancient times. Humans have been changing their place of residence since the mists of time in order to seek better lands, new food or healthier climates. The Bible describes some of these migrations; for example, the patriarch Abraham left the land of Ur of the Chaldeans along with his wife Sarah and all his possessions, “not knowing whither he went” and sojourned in a strange place for many years in search of a better country.
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Chaldeans along with his wife Sarah and all his possessions, “not knowing whither he went” and sojourned in a strange place for many years in search of a better country. The migration of the Jewish people, led by Moses, also plays an important role in the Scriptures. In the introduction to his work, Rev. Cruz says his book reviews the main characteristics of today’s global culture from a
biblical perspective. He also stresses that civilization today is focused on information and virtual images and craves promptness, immediate pleasure and material well-being above all, and is unable to leave the terrible ghosts of war, international terrorism and potential dangers of a science without conscience. According to Cruz, people is more interested in the material than the spiritual. We live in a world in which the stimulation of the senses has become the dominant value of human existence. For millions of
LITERATURE
creatures in the global village, the supreme goal of their lives is to get the maximum pleasure. Today, as ever, the old motto of Voltaire: “Pleasure is the object, duty, and the goal of all rational creature,” continues to be fulfilled at any cost, as it was the ultimate law of man. This universal hedonism is detected in multiple behaviors ranging from the insatiable desire to buy and consume, to the yearning of corporal enjoyment or the trend to achieve welfare and eliminate anything that requires reflection. In “Christian In The Global Village,” Cruz Suarez leaves a heady contribution to discover the blindness and spiritual bewilderment of the present, which is usually the basis for many social conflicts between believers and certain religious groups. In his view, humans have caused most of the problems that threaten humanity by turning their back on the Creator and living as if He did not exist. He also states that religious fanaticism of certain movements can generate intractable global conflicts. Jesus’ fight is not a bloody war like the ones h o l d by the kingdoms of this world. His struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the principalities and powers of spiritual nature. The eschatological fight of Jesus Christ is against Satan, Prince of Darkness, and all the forces of evil in this world. For such a peculiar kind of fight, it is no use resorting to human violence. Hence, His death on the cross of Calvary, although it was a complete defeat to human eyes, was
actually the beginning and the guarantee of His final victory.
THE DIVINE PURPOSE In his conclusions, Rev. Antonio Cruz says that believers should not give in to the temptation of pessimism. To him, the hope of the disciple of Jesus must continue being the lens that allows looking at the global village with the intention of transforming it through the light of the Gospel. Similarly, he points out that the trend of religious life must always be faith and never despair. Inspired by the Word of the Almighty, the author says that the modern disciples of the Savior should wear the armor of the Almighty. The Bible has a message of hope for this land, which belongs to God but has been provisionally given to man so that he rules it wisely. Biblical hope for the planet is evident in texts such as that of the apostle Paul: “Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” According to the New Testament, the ecological problem will have a definitive solution with the return of Christ. The divine purpose encompasses the human being but also the rest of creation and his will. Born on July 15, 1952, in the Spanish province of Jaen, pastor Antonio Cruz Suarez used his work to proclaim the need to continually review our attitudes and beliefs according to the true message of the Holy Scriptures. Thus, the writer states that Lord’s people should know more than ever in whom they have placed their faith and what is the real message of the Creator, so as not to go stray in subtle trails of intransigence, discrimination and hatred among men. The current world situation forces us to ask ourselves what is the true Christian hope that cannot be “seen” and what it depends on. It is the confidence that comes from Jesus and his resurrection from the death. Because Jesus rose, we trust. If Jesus had not risen, as Paul says, those who believe in Him would be the poorest and the unhappiest people in this world, but the truth is that Jesus rose and we can have hope. The final word of the history, the final order of things, will not be subject to human will but to the will of God l
The Bible has a message of hope for this land, which belongs to God but has been provisionally given to man so that he rules it wisely. Biblical hope for the planet is evident in texts such as that of the apostle Paul: “Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” According to the New Testament, the ecological problem will have a definitive solution with the return of Christ. The divine purpose encompasses the human being but also the rest of creation and his will.
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THE HOLY
SCRIPTURES Based on Psalm 19, which talks about God’s creation and His Word, this hymn highlights the importance of the truth of the eternal Father and His role as support amid affliction. MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 28 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
MUSIC
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uthor and translator of several hymns currently used at religious services in Spanish-speaking countries, Juan Bautista Cabrera Ibarz is a famous poet and evangelical pastor recognized as one of the most prolific and important Spanishspeaking Christian hymnologists. Born on April 23, 1837 in Spain, he created throughout his life songs full of deep spiritual content, such as “The Holy Scriptures.” Juan Bautista was brought up in a family of great faith in God and, ever since he was a child, he felt great thirst for knowing the saving power of the Lord. In 1852, he entered a religious order of the traditional church and began to analyze the Bible eagerly. After having completed his studies, he devoted himself to learn Greek, Hebrew, English and Italian on his own. Imbued with evangelical ideas and amid the severe religious persecution plaguing Spain in those days, he fled in 1863 to Gibraltar where he received Jesus Christ as his personal savior. Cabrera translated and versified over four hundred Christian hymns, including the famous hymn played by the orchestra of the “Titanic”: “Nearer, My God, to Thee.” In his translations, he tried to penetrate the author’s intention, as shown in “Holy, Holy, Holy” by evangelical author Reginald Heber, one of the most solemn
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES 1 Father, your word is My delight and my solace; May it always guide my steps And bring peace to my chest. Chorus My Lord, it is your law, Celestial lighthouse; That in perennial glow, Guides the mortal 2 Obedient I heard your voice; I found strength in your grace,
And standing firm and fast, I walked by your paths. 3 Your truth is my support, Against doubt and temptation, It exudes calm and good When distress comes. 4 Your words are to me Faithful pledges of health; So let me hear you With filial devotion.
songs of hymnology worldwide. Other recognized translations of this author are “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “The Lord Rose” and “Onward, Christian Soldiers.” In 1868, after the fall of Queen Elizabeth II, Juan Bautista returned to Spain under the authorization of General Juan Prim, one of the most influential men in the Iberian Peninsula at the time, and settled in the city of Seville. There, in the capital of Andalusia, he began to preach the word of God in houses and in public casinos. After a short time, his evangelizing work paid off and he brought together a large number of followers. Then, on January 1, 1869, he inaugurated a temple to announce the good news of Jesus Christ. In the midst of his work of faith, Cabrera wrote numerous verses intended to extol the love of the Almighty and describe different evangelical topics. One of these poems, entitled “The Holy Scriptures” and based on Psalm 19 – which talks about God’s creation and His Word – was a hymn that was quickly recognized by the Christian community in Spain. Set to music by John Thomas Grape, this ode stresses the importance of the truth of the eternal Father and His role as support amid affliction. Settled in Madrid until the end of his days, Juan Bautista Cabrera Ibarz died on May 18, 1916. Unwavering preacher of the creed of Christ, he is remembered for being a versatile servant of the Almighty who revealed to the world the good news of Christ through music, written word and oral expression l July 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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THE PRECURSOR OF
THE REFORMATION Jan Hus, a hundred years before Martin Luther, questioned the excesses of the traditional church. Due to his infinite faith, he became a defender of Christianity. Strengthened by the grace of the Creator, he perished in the furnace of martyrdom. William P. Farley
O Hus, who was probably born in 1369 in Husenitz, a small village in the region of South Bohemia, now part of the Czech Republic, knew intuitively how costly these radical ideas would be. The cement that bound Christendom was the authority of the papacy. To put Scripture above the Pope was to threaten the very fabric of medieval life and culture.
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n July 6, 1415, Jan Hus stepped from the wooden platform in the Cathedral of Constance. Thousands of anxious eyes followed him. He had just heard a sermon from Romans 6:6 “that the body of sin might be done away with.” Hus was the “body of sin.” It was the day of his condemnation and execution. Seven bishops stepped forward and removed his filthy, lice-infested prison garments. They clothed him in clean priestly garments. They placed a chalice of wine in his right hand. Then, to symbolize his degradation from the priesthood, they stripped the priest’s robes from his back and the chalice from his hand. They chained his gaunt, withered hands behind his back and led him away to receive the dreaded punishment du jour for heresy—burning at the stake. The authorities protected him with armed soldiers. They were nervous. Hus was popular with the vast crowd thronging the road he would walk to his execution. His simple sermons preached in the common dialect—not the Latin used by most priests—had stirred their peasant hearts. They knew holiness and purity when they saw it. Even his most strident enemies could find no blemish in his moral character.
To complicate matters, the morning of his trial (June 7) a lunar eclipse obscured the sun for several hours. This further convinced the people that God was unhappy with Hus’ brutal, unjust treatment by the Roman Catholic authorities. All nerves were on edge as Hus walked toward his execution. The summer of 1415 was filled with great confusion. Christendom was divided between three competitors for the papal throne. Each claimed infallibility, and each used his power to excommunicate and condemn his competitors. The emperor
HERO OF FAITH
had called the Council of Constance to resolve the confusion. Hus, under a promise of safe conduct, had been invited to come and explain his controversial views about the teachings of the English reformer, John Wyclif.
BRAVE PREACHER How naive he had been to trust the emperor’s promise. Only 10 months before, he had confidently left Prague for Constance. His reputation for spiritual power, holiness, and eloquence had preceded him. Great crowds lined the road cheering him on. He was wined and dined by the authorities and asked
to speak in each town’s cathedral. And the people were not disappointed by Hus’ message. He stressed moral, spiritual, and doctrinal renewal, and protested the corruption of the clergy. The people, famished for the simplicity and power of God’s Word, listened enthusiastically. Shortly after his arrival in Constance, the emperor maliciously broke his promise. On the day of his execution, Hus limped in a broken body emaciated by 7 months in a rat-infested, subterranean, medieval cell. By night, the jailor chained him to the stony cell wall. Toothaches, gallstones, fevers, and bouts of vomiting had persis-
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tently tormented him. At one point he almost starved to death, but the emperor fed him so the authorities would not be deprived of his burning. The disillusioned crowds watched him pass in silence. It seemed that whenever God raised up a leader of truth and integrity, the authorities broke him. Although they were used to it, there was nothing they could do, and they felt bitter and cynical. Was he really guilty?, some wondered. Maybe the authorities were right. The chains cut his wrists, and with his little remaining strength he struggled to carry his gaunt body. Burning at the stake was grisly business. The fortunate died quickly. But for some, it took 45 minutes or longer. How would it be for him? Paul’s words from 2 Corinthians 4:17,18, may
have encouraged him: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen”. He had written a friend that God would either douse the flames or fortify him with courage to endure the fiery ordeal. He would trust God, not himself. How ironic that he should die for the truths recovered by John Wyclif. Unlike Hus, his hero had died in bed. Hus’ first exposure to Wyclif’s writings came as Hus was finishing his degree at the University of Prague. At first Wyclif offended him. Too radical, he thought. So different from the traditions taught by others. But when he went to the Bible, his arguments against Wyclif’s reasoning dissolved.
HERO OF FAITH
Hus, who was probably born in 1369 in Husenitz, a small village in the region of South Bohemia, now part of the Czech Republic, knew intuitively how costly these radical ideas would be. The cement that bound Christendom was the authority of the papacy. To put Scripture above the Pope was to threaten the very fabric of medieval life and culture. He remembered his happy years at the University of Prague when he and his friends read Wyclif, then the Bible, to see if Wyclif was right. They met to discuss God’s radical truths and pray. The University of Prague was on the cutting edge, and there was a sense of great exhilaration to be living in the middle of such radical change.
A MINISTRY OF POWER Although he was an average student, he earned his bachelors and then his masters degree. He remembered the joy of his ordination and his first experience of preaching in the power of God. His gift made way for him. In 1402, when he was 30, Bethlehem Chapel, the great Prague preaching station, asked him to be its pastor. There he preached God’s Word twice each day. An unusual anointing was upon him. Within a short time, the hungry crowds flowed over into the surrounding streets. He remembered how his growing joy in God’s Word at Bethlehem Chapel matched his growing detestation of the iniquities of his fellow priests. Celibacy was a joke. Many clergy blatantly lived with concubines. Some had children and grandchildren. How his anger had risen when Pope John
XXIII had sold the forgiveness of sins to ignorant peasants to raise an army to wage war against the City of Naples. Like John the Baptist, he was deeply grieved by the king, the nobles, the prelates, the clergy, and the citizens who together indulged in avarice, pride, drunkenness, lewdness, and every profligacy. In the midst of this he stood like an incarnate conscience. Who is equal to such a task? He was not. It had taken God’s courage and strength. He had enjoyed 12 good years at Bethlehem Chapel. They were the best of his life. With joy he watched God use his preaching to change the hearts and lives of thousands. The queen had even requested him as her confessor. The city of Prague, and the whole nation of Bohemia, had begun to turn to Christ. Inspired by the condemned writings of John Wyclif, he continued to preach God’s Word. He understood that his growing fame and popularity threatened the papacy’s control of Bohemia. He remembered the interdict placed by the Pope on Prague. To protect Prague, he retreated into the country. And now here he was. He had always said, “It is better to die well than to live badly.” He would need all of God’s grace to die well. Louis of Bavaria, the marshal, approached and begged Hus to renounce his errors and preserve his life. “What errors shall I renounce?” asked Hus. “I know myself guilty of none. I call God to witness that all that I have written and preached has been with the view of rescuing souls from sin and perdition; and, therefore, most joyfully will I confirm with my blood that truth which I have written and preached.” The marshal ordered the flames lit, and as they rose, Hus began to sing, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” After three verses, the flames scorched and muffled Hus’ voice. Finally, the singing stopped. Fortified by God’s grace, Hus perished in the furnace of affliction for the glory of God. Of such men this world is not worthy. God fulfilled His promise to Hus. One hundred and two years later, Martin Luther nailed 95 theses to the door of his Wittenberg church, and the Reformation began. Jan Hus did not die in vain l
The summer of 1415 was filled with great confusion. Christendom was divided between three competitors for the papal throne. Each claimed infallibility, and each used his power to excommunicate and condemn his competitors. The emperor had called the Council of Constance to resolve the confusion. Hus, under a promise of safe conduct, had been invited to come and explain his controversial views about the teachings of the English reformer, John Wyclif.
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OLIVER AND LILIANA, MUSIC FOR THE LORD
This is the story of two young singers who realized that fame and money were destroying their family. Overindulgences were part of the routine and breaking the rules was the norm, until the day God saved them. Marlo Pérez
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fter singing and dancing complex reggaeton steps that would make thousands of Colombian teenagers and youngsters move, Oliver and the other members of the OLy-J band – considered reggaeton icons at the time – used to lock themselves up in their dressing rooms or flee from there to have another concert with sex, alcohol and drugs. After eight years of success in the urban genre and popularity in different cities of Colombia, Oliver started to succumb to infidelities and addictions that almost separated him from his wife and led him to death.
MUSICAL TASTES Halfway through the 90s, Oliver de Jesús Beltrán Julio and Liliana Villalba Salcedo were two teenagers that met at their school located in the municipality of El Bagre, in the department of Antioquia, Colombia. While playing, singing and dancing, they realized that they both liked hip-hop, rap and reggaeton, and so they won at several cultural events organized by their school. That is how they fell in love. Many years after finishing their studies, Oliver, 19 years old, received Liliana at his house (she is 6 years younger than him) due
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to some family problems that compelled her to leave her home. They have been living together ever since. One day, they decided to leave their town to improve their economic situation and take a shot at their favorite musical genres. In 2000, they were living in the municipality of Segovia; that is when they met Jorge, better known as Jota, who also shaMISSIONARY MOVEMENT 36 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
red their interests. So the three of them decided to sing, dance and being known in the world of reggaeton. A few days after combining skill and talent, their neighborhood became the first to witness the compositions and complex dance steps that they used to rehearse. Little by little, they catched the attention of the
LIFE STORIES
Colombian youth. “People admired us and told us that we had a gift for singing and dancing… That is when we came up with the idea of making our own band,” Oliver says.
THE OLY-J BAND After some months of absolute dedication, Oliver – who named himself Oli – made with Jota the “Dúo Urbano del Reggaetón” (Reggaeton urban duo). Then Liliana joined and they renamed the band “OLy-J”, after the names of Oliver, Liliana and Jorge. Their group made the whole town of Segovia and its surroundings dance. They had such a success that their first eight songs, written by Oliver, became hits of the moment. “All my songs had a clear sexual connotation and were related to violence against women and drugs,” he recalls. One year later, fame smiled upon them, as a renowned local motorcycle agency hired them to participate in one of its artistic events. In a matter of weeks, OLy-J became known as the reggaeton talent of Segovia. “I did all my compositions under the effects of drugs. I wrote some songs at midnight and wee hours, es-
One year later, fame smiled upon them, as a renowned local motorcycle agency hired them to participate in one of its artistic events. “I did all my compositions under the effects of drugs. I wrote some songs at midnight and wee hours, especially when voices from hell would wake me up to do so,” Oliver reveals.
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After five years of success on radio and television, singing and dancing with famous reggaeton artists from their country and abroad, Oliver started to question his life and everything that he had attained until then. “Despite having achieved what I had yearned for, I was not happy… My life had no purpose. I felt that there was something missing in my life… God’s presence!” he declares.
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pecially when voices from hell would wake me up to do so,” Oliver reveals. Seeing the impact of their performances, the motorcycle company sponsored the recording of their first single, named Zona Roja (Red Zone), which was recorded by a label in Medellin. A few months later, 38 radio stations in the whole department of Antioquia were playing their songs, and they became a musical booms and top 1 on radio rankings. Heavy chains and shiny rings and earrings were their signature. After their meteoric rise, three new members joined the band and they all became urban musical idols of the moment. They were very in demand by nightclubs, schools and festivals in the surrounding areas of the Colombian department. “One of our most popular clips in Colombia and other Latin-American countries was ‘Chica Prepago’ (Prepaid Girl). This song gave us national and international popularity and we travelled to different parts of the country,” Oliver says.
VICES AND INFIDELITIES After five years of success on radio and television, singing and dancing with famous reggaeton artists from their country and abroad, Oliver started to question his life and everything that he had attained until then.
“Despite having achieved what I had yearned for, I was not happy… My life had no purpose. I felt that there was something missing in my life… God’s presence!” he declares. Furthermore, his relationship with Liliana was starting to fall apart due to his weakness for the many young women who offered themselves to him after every presentation. “The world of reggaeton is full of sexual temptation... Women would hit on me all the time,” he reveals. That is when Oliver recalled his mother’s pieces of advice, as well as those from the several Christians who would knock on his door. “My mother was Christian and I studied at a Christian school since I was a teenager… When I bet on reggaeton, my mother prayed for me to get away from that music,” he says.
PREACH MY WORD By the end of 2007, OLy-J went through harsh times, mainly due to the constant problems between Oliver and Liliana, which also affected the other members. Fortunately, a divine experience changed their lived. It happened at the beginning of 2008, when Oliver had a strange dream in which God, with a strong and invisible voice, forced him to stop smoking and abandon his infidelities, or otherwise he would die immediately. When he woke up confused by the nightmare, Oliver stopped doing drugs. After four months of abstinence, Oliver started to experience desperation and anxiety for the toxic substances. In a moment of disobedience, he locked himself up in the basement of the house to defy God and test His existence and love. “Lord, if you are real, show up, touch me, talk to me! Do something so that I can believe in You!,” Oliver claimed vigorously among the reggaeton playing on his recorder and the bunch of joints that he lighted to smoke. After many minutes in the darkness of the room full of smoke, Oliver kneeled on the floor and trembled as he heard a powerful and heavenly voice telling him to quit smoking. He immediately heard another sinister voice telling him to do the opposite. After hearing the voices discuss on him, Oliver listened to the heavenly voice
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asking him: “Who will you choose to stay with?” Oliver answered: “With You, my Lord!” As Oliver accepted the Lord and got rid of the marijuana, the earrings and the chains that he was wearing, he saw how these objects became horrible snakes that did not want to let him go. He felt then a stream of hot water all over his body and, seconds later, he had another vision in which He saw himself preaching the Word of God to thousands of young people of his country. “Preach my Word and testify my power, for this I have called you!,” God told him in the vision. When Oliver came back to his senses, he was still in the dark basement, but without the reggaeton or the marijuana joints. Instead, he was crying and glorifying the Lord. Liliana heard his voice and came to the basement. She was surprised to see him praying to God. Oliver embraced her, asked for her forgiveness and told her that he loved her. She immediately felt the presence of the Lord and surrendered to Him.
“Despite the vices that led me to paths of death and damnation, the love I felt for my wife never vanished. I have always loved her,” Oliver remarks.
TO THE WORK OF GOD! Some days after their conversion and having found no congregation, Oliver and Liliana knew about the Worldwide Missionary Movement thanks to Bethel Television. Although they were tempted (many times) to return to the scenes, they refused to do so because of their love to God. After a while, all the members of their band died in unusual circumstances. Nowadays, Oliver and Liliana are pastors and serve the Lord in a church located in the municipality of Yalí, in the department of Antioquia, Colombia. While Liliana takes care of their two children, Doni and Nahella, Oliver leads an evangelizing program in prisons, hospitals and different neighborhoods of the city, where many young people have been saved from drug addiction and reggaeton l July 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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WE ARE NOT OF THEM
WHO DRAW BACK “But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” Hebrews 10:39. Rev. Luis M. Ortiz
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eloved, to the glory of God we can say that the Worldwide Missionary Movement is moving forward, always forward. Souls are saved, sick are healed, miracles are wrought by the Lord, and new works or churches are built. Brothers receive the glorious baptism in the Holy Spirit, the ministerial body is continually increasing, and the missionary and evangelization work is operating at its full. Our congregations grow with the souls we reached through personal work, visits to unconverted homes, evangelistic campaigns, prayer and intercession, the teaching of the Word of God, the sound doctrine and the clean testimony of a holy life. Some believers leave their worldly pulpits and congregations, as they are full of adultery, divorce, remarriage, superficiality, teotherapy, psychotherapy, psychosomatic therapy, as well as an easy, light, ecumenical, mundane and ineffective pastoral counseling. However, these believers know that there is still “balm in Gilead;” (Jeremiah 8:22), that there are still real men of God filled with the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, preaching more and better with their holy lives, and not with flowery, academic, sophisticated, empty and dead words of ”human wisdom”. No wonder why these frustrated believers come to our congregations – full of the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, of spiritual life, of God’s presence and grace, of the fresh and revitalizing anointing of the Holy Spirit – and ask us to let them stay. We do not seek, we do not stir up trouble, we do not offer anything to anyone. When frustrated believers come to us, they talk to us, or we talk to them. They tell us that they do not want to go back to that MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 40 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
place they came from because of its very poor spiritual condition and the abundance of worldliness and sin that prevail in their former churches. Our pastors ask them to bring a letter from their former pastors. Some pastors agree to issue a letter of transfer, others do not, but these frustrated believers continue to attend our congregations. They give their personal testimony and they are eventually welcomed as members of the congregation. Of course, when they come and stay, we do not immediately name them co-pastors, treasurers, secretaries, deacons, Sunday school superintendents, teachers, presidents of men, women, youth or children, or leaders. But they are happy to observe, compare, nourish themselves spiritually, edify themselves, strengthen themselves, learn, conquer, rejoice and serve the Lord according to the Word and will of God, “looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13), because anyone “that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (1 John 3: 3). In November 1983, while praying, the Lord spoke to my spirit. He told me that He had raised this Work as an innovative Work that would go where others do not go and start new congregations, but also as a refuge for those sheep who love Him but are still hungry for the Word of God and thirst for the water of the Holy Spirit where they are now. The Lord also told me that He would continue taking them out of these spiritual deserts to where they will receive the bread of the Word and the water of the Holy Spirit. Glory to God! To God be the glory and honor for helping us maintain the biblical and Christian
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We do not seek, we do not stir up trouble, we do not offer anything to anyone. When frustrated believers come to us, they talk to us, or we talk to them. They tell us that they do not want to go back to that place they came from because of its very poor spiritual condition and the abundance of worldliness and sin that prevail in their former churches.
principles, concepts and beliefs and the sound doctrine that come from the pages of the Holy Bible regarding the blessed Work of God. All this we have learned from the Pentecost pioneers who came from Puerto Rico in 1916, among which some pastors from my childhood, adolescence and youth, as well as my wife Rebecca’s and our families’. Even today, many who used to live up to the Word of God, today scorn and ridicule the teaching and sound doctrine. And so they also make fun of noble and holy pio-
neers – us. We receive the reproach of “the liberalized” from holiness and the slaves of darkness, but – for the glory of God and the blessing of our souls – we still stand fast and hold the traditions that have been taught (2 Thessalonians 2:15), and we take heed unto ourselves and unto the doctrine, because in doing this we save ourselves and those who hear us (1 Timothy 4:16). Because “we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” (Hebrews 10:39). Glory to God! Amen l July 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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A DEAR ACT “And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice… And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. And David built there an altar unto the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings...” 2 Samuel 24: 22-25. Rev. Gustavo Martínez Garavito
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nd David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the Lord; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man. So the Lord sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men. And
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when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the Lord was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite. And David spake unto the Lord when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father’s house. And Gad came that day
DEVOTIONAL
to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the Lord in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite. And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the Lord commanded. And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him: and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king on his face upon the ground.And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of thee, to build an altar unto the Lord, that the plague may be stayed from the people. And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood. All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The Lord thy God accept thee. And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. And David built there an altar unto the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the Lord was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.” (2 Samuel 24: 14-25). The Lord ordered David, according to the word of the prophet Gad, to come up to the threshing place of Araunah the Jebusite in order to offer a sacrifice to stop the plague that had befallen Israel because of the census. When he reached the house of Araunah, the latter allowed him to choose whatever he wanted among his belongings to make the offering. However, David refused
to accept Araunah’s offer, as he knew that worthless sacrifices are not valid for the spiritual life. He refused to offer God a cheap, costless worship. This principle is particularly important, because we often give what we have to spare, instead of giving what has costed us. Handing over what we have to spare, however, rarely hurts, precisely because we do not need it. Likewise, the temptation to offer the Lord a cheap, costless sacrifice that does not affect our interests or goals will come to our lives sooner or later. Human nature is very prone to seek comfort and is eager to get everything nice and easy without doing any effort. But why is it important that our offering be a personal sacrifice? The price to resolve the sinful situation of man was the life of the Son of God. It was an extremely high price to pay because the dimensions of the problem were deeply serious. Today, both Christian radio stations and television channels are overflowing with phone calls of people asking for others to pray for their spiritual strength or pray so that God breaks the chains in their lives. But, who said that Christians must rely on others instead of praying themselves? No doubt why many believers live a Christian cheap and convenient life, with many rides and amusements, but without a genuine search for God’s face. Spiritual strength does come to our lives, but only when we pray and read the Scriptures. Likewise, there are ties and friendships that we must break ourselves voluntarily in the name of Jesus, and the prayers of others will not be effective until we decide to do so. On certain occasions, we are not the ones who make the sacrifice, but we want to take the credit as if we had. David did not let Araunah make the sacrifice he had to offer in order to stop the plague in Israel. It is be very easy to make ours what did not cost us any effort, but other people’s tears, sweat and sufferings, and then say that we achiev ed everything by ourselves. Cheap and easy things do not please God, and it is an insult to give God what we have to spare or what is worthless to us. King David knew this, and therefore did not want to offer what had cost him no effort and no price l
Today, both Christian radio stations and television channels are overflowing with phone calls of people asking for others to pray for their spiritual strength or pray so that God breaks the chains in their lives. But, who said that Christians must rely on others instead of praying themselves? No doubt why many believers live a Christian cheap and convenient life, with many rides and amusements, but without a genuine search for God’s face.
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I WILL NOT
LET YOU GO
Rev. Rómulo Vergara
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And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. Genesis 32: 24-26.
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acob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, and Esau’s twin brother, was born after the latter and therefore was considered the younger (Genesis 25: 21-26). However, before both were born, God said “the elder shall serve the younger” (v. 23), thus giving His promise to Jacob. Jacob did not wait for divine intervention, but he was willing to resort to any trickery and deceit to procure it himself. Something fraudulent happened. Isaac was old and nearly blind, so Rebekah convinced Jacob to wear Esau’s clothes and cover his neck and hands with the skins of the kids of the goats to impersonate his brother – Esau was much more hairy than Jacob. This way, he would get from Isaac, who thought was dying, the blessing corresponding to the firstborn. When Esau discovered what Jacob had done, he cried violently, as his brother had taken away his right. Esau decided to kill his brother when his father had died (Genesis 27: 1-41). “And Rebekah his wife conceived. And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the Lord… And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau’s heel; and his name was called Jacob” (Genesis 25: 21-26). Jacob was trouble even before he was born, and his mother suffered because both boys would fight in her womb. Jacob had obtained God’s blessing in a wrong way. Many years have passed and Jacob remained a problem for himself and others. The name Jacob means supplanter, deceiver; he was like this. So Jacob was ready for a change. He left his family behind, went away with God, and did not need anyone to accompany him or encourage him. “And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two women servants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok. And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had. And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.” (Genesis 32: 22-24).
We need to realize that something is going wrong and take the time to surrender on the altar, at the feet of Christ and God. “And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.” (Genesis 32:24). That is when problems are solved, when victories are achieved, when changes are made, when we turn away and surrender before him, when we pour our heart and soul, when we shed tears and become humble in the presence of the Lord. The Lord will be close to respond to the request and give solution. “And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.” (Genesis 32: 25-26). The angel dislocated Jacob’s thigh. Imagine the pain he felt. But Jacob ignored the pain, because if he had not, he would have surrendered. He was looking for the special touch of God. He did not want to be touched physically, but a touch in his life, in his character. He wanted to be a different person from then on. How good it is when someone is determined to change, because nothing will stop them or make them give up. No matter how harsh or terrible the situation, this person will go after what they want and ignore what might happen. Although this man had been through a lot with God, he needed something more. And to get that blessing, he had to struggle, he had to fight. “And he said, (that man) let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.” (Genesis 32:26). Jacob fought like he was stronger than the angel, and he was decided not to let him go until he was blessed. Like Jacob, we must give everything wholeheartedly, we must not slacken or get loose until the glory of God comes, until God answers us. Let God touch you. If you believe it, the Lord will touch and transform you l
How good it is when someone is determined to change, because nothing will stop them or make them give up. No matter how harsh or terrible the situation, this person will go after what they want and ignore what might happen. Although this man had been through a lot with God, he needed something more. And to get that blessing, he had to struggle, he had to fight.
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THE VALUE OF FAITHFULNESS A
few days before the beginning of the Fifth South American Congress of the Worldwide Missionary Movement, the Work of God in Ecuador is setting up the final details of this spiritual celebration. The event will be held at the facilities of the Voltaire Paladines Polo stadium in Guayaquil, and will shake South America from August 26 to August 30. In order to hold an unforgettable event, Rev. Eugenio Masías, National Supervisor of the WMM in Ecuador, supervised in mid-June the conditioning of the well-known amphitheater, along with a group of national officers. Likewise, MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 46 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
pastor Masías has verified the safety of the entries and exits of the stadium, and has toured the facilities to check the state of the infrastructure. For now, the committees established by the organization have already defined the different work areas within the sports precinct. The areas have been divided into internal sections, among which those for the international officers, the Impacto Evangelistic magazine and Bethel Radio and Television, which will broadcast live the development of the Fifth South American Congress of the Worldwide Missionary Movement. Regarding the accommodation for the faithful
THE CONGRESS
The Worldwide Missionary Movement in Ecuador is setting up the last details for the Fifth South American Congress. The preparations are in progress. who will attend the event, the organization has come to an arrangement with over twenty local hotels for the ten thousand visitors who will arrive in Guayaquil. Similarly, the rent of big sports spaces near the Voltaire Paladines Polo stadium is also on agenda, in order to house the brothers who arrive in Ecuador.
PERUVIAN SUPPORT Due to its geographical proximity and its vast experience in organizing mass Christian conventions, the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Peru, represented by its National Supervisor
Rev. Luis Meza Bocanegra, is supporting Ecuador in order to hold a successful event. The support of the Peruvian brothers is focused on technical, logistical and protocol advice. In recent days, the WMM in Peru sent a special delegation, composed of pastors Roberto PĂŠrez and Juan Carlos PĂŠrez. They have made different arrangements to settle the transmission of the Fifth South American Congress of the Worldwide Missionary Movement. Both ministers of the Lord also shared their experience in the organization of mega events with the Ecuadorian members of the Work l July 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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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).
DECORATING
THE DOCTRINE The 15th National Convention of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Brazil, held in two auditoriums, paralyzed Manaus in its encounter with our Creator.
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he 15th National Convention of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Brazil, held from June 11 to 15, captured the attention of the evangelical community in the city of Manaus. Under the Lord’s protection, the capital of the Brazilian Amazonia became house of God and a gate of heaven through an event held under the theme “Decorating the Doctrine faithfully.” Held in two auditoriums due to opposition from the secular atmosphere, the event was divided into as many stages to avoid any logistic issues. First, on June 11 and 12, the services and activities on agenda were conducted at the Themistocles PinMISSIONARY MOVEMENT 48 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
EVENTS
heiro Gadelha Auditorium. Then, on June 13 and 14, the event was held at the Samuel Benchimol Auditorium. The 15th National Convention of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Brazil was attended by Rev. Jorge Humberto Henao and Rev. Rómulo Vergara, International Officers of the Lord’s Work, and by pastor Gerardo Martínez Garavito, Missionary Supervisor in South America and National Supervisor of the WMM in Chile, who testified about the importance of the Christian faith.
GOD’S WORD
At the opening of the 15th National Convention of the Movement in Brazil, Rev. Henao preached to the people of the Lord. In his speech, entitled “The importance of today” and based on Exodus 8: 1-10, the minister of the Almighty highlighted how people can lose beautiful opportunities offered by the Lord and thus isolate themselves from a promising victory. The following day, pastor Jorge Humberto Henao announced once again the good news of the Savior. At the Themistocles Pinheiro Gadelha Auditorium, the International Officer talked about “The influence of the leader on the success or failure of a project.” Based on the story of Saul, Rev. Henao conveyed a message about the life of a leader and how he can influence both the growth and the failure of a church. Then, on the last day of the spiritual gathering, Rev. Romulo Vergara Continue reading–– July 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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led the morning missionary worship and preached the Word of God through a sermon entitled “What we need to have.” Based on Luke 4: 1819, pastor Vergara said the anointing of the Holy Spirit was necessary for Jesus to fulfill his ministry in a powerful way. He also stressed that the current Christian should seek the power of God to perform his work fully. Hours later, before the end of the 15th National Convention of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Brazil, Rev. Gerardo Martinez was the instrument used by God to spread his Word. Based on Joshua 14: 6-11, the Missionary Supervisor in South America, inspired by the story of Caleb, delivered a message he called “With
persevering spirit.” Bible in hand, pastor Martinez said that we should follow this great example in order to have the persevering spirit to possess what the Lord has promised l July 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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WE MUST PUT
FAITH INTO ACTION The Work of God in Puerto Rico held its National Workers Retreat in the city of Trujillo Alto. An event that brought together the Christian people of the island.
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uerto Rico, the ‘Lamb Island’, hosted the National Workers Retreat of the Worldwide Missionary Movement on June 11-13. Conducted under the theme “Missions: A call to conquer MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 52 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
our territory,” the event brought together Christians from different parts of Puerto Rico. God’s people gathered at the temple of the Movement in Trujillo Alto, which became for three days the
epicenter of the evangelical faith. Rev. Gustavo Martinez Garavito, International President of the Work of God, was the first preacher on the first day of the National Workers Retreat
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of the WMM in Puerto Rico. Through a message entitled “Together we will move forward and carry out his work” based on Joshua 7: 1-10, pastor Martinez Garavito spoke about two important points: the Lord’s intervention and the unity of the people of God. In his speech he said: “We must put faith into action.” On the second day of Workers Retreat, Rev. Margaro Figueroa, International Officer of the Movement, gave a religious speech based on Joshua 1: 1-3. In his Bible study entitled “A call to conquer,” pastor Figueroa focused on the life of Joshua and reminded that, before going to conquer, we must be July 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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conquered by the Lord of the harvest. He also emphasized that achieving this would not be easy. After the participation of Rev. Figueroa, pastor Jose Soto, International Vice President of the Worldwide Missionary Movement, announced the good news of the Lord. The minister of the Almighty, based on Luke 5: 4-8 MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 54 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
and John 6: 11-13, shared a message named “How to maintain what has been conquered?” In his speech, the reverend said that members of the WMM must preach the Word to every creature, make disciples and worship God in spirit and in truth. By the end of the activity, in an atmosphere of blessing and joy, the
Church of Christ received from the Lord the strength to preach the Gospel. In this regard, Rev. Luis Ayala, National Supervisor of the WMM in Puerto Rico, announced the project of the National Mission Department and introduced its National Director, pastor Luis A. Rosado, who gave details about this venture l
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THE VICTORY THROUGH
JESUS CHRIST
The Worldwide Missionary Movement celebrated, through different events, its thirty years of presence in Chile.
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he Worldwide Missionary Movement in Chile, led by its National Supervisor Rev. Gerardo Martínez Garavito, celebrated on June 6 the thirty years of presence of God’s Work in Chile. The celebrations, attended by delegations of brothers from different parts of Chile, were held to commemorate that pastor Gerardo Martínez arrived in this country on June 2, 1985, with the aim of establishing a subsidiary of the WMM. During the 30th anniversary of the Movement in Chile, called “But thanks be to God, which gave us the victory through our Lord Jesus
Christ,” the Word of the Lord was shared by pastor Marcelo Pérez, who is in charge of the Church in Concepción, and pastor Marcelo Quintana,
National Secretary and pastor in the municipality of San Bernardo. They both conveyed the message of God on this special day l July 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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THE HARVEST IS PLENTEOUS The WMM Fellowship of Zone 42 was held for three days in the region of Río Meta, Colombia, and was attended by 600-700 people.
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he Worldwide Missionary Movement in Colombia held from May 15 to May 17 a mass activity called “Great Fellowship of Zone 42” in the municipality of Puerto Gaitán, in the department of Meta. The event, led by priest of Zone 42 Rev. Luis Vergara, was attended by over six hundred people, among which brothers and pastors from the departments of Vichada and Vaupés, where God’s Work is widely accepted by the Colombian people. The temple of the WMM in Puerto Gaitán, located in the heart of the region of the Manacacías river, served to MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 56 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
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gather for three days those whose only purpose is to praise and glorify God. Therefore, different spiritual activities took place to renew the communion between the Savior and the faithful. In addition, the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Colombia talked about the progress in the central region of the country. The “Great Fellowship of Zone 42” had as special guests Rev. Eduard Sánchez Mosquera and his wife, Sister Martha Medrano Rada. They are pastors from the church established in the district of Mitú, capital of the department of Vaupés, who shared the message of God. Similarly, pastor Vergara and his wife, Sister Sandra Milena Bermúdez, preached the message of Jesus Christ and highlighted the growth of the WMM in the central zone of Colombia. One of the most significant moments of this spiritual celebration organized in the municipality of Puerto Gaitán was the baptism of a group of brothers who surrendered to the Creator. The event, attended by hundreds of people, took place on the shores of the Manacacías River, across the department of Meta, and served to strengthen the WMM in Colombia. The event ended with a great harvest of restored lives, healings and signs of gratitude to the Lord l July 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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THE POWER OF THE WORD The city of Stockholm, capital of Sweden, hosted the Second International Fellowship of Europe’s Block A held by the Worldwide Missionary Movement. Delegations from Spain, France, England, Sweden, Denmark and Finland arrived to attend the event.
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tockholm, capital of Sweden, hosted the Second International Fellowship of Europe’s Block A, held from May 1 to May 3 by the Worldwide Missionary Movement. The spiritual celebration was attended by a great number of Christians from Spain, France, England, Sweden, Denmark and Finland, who gathered at the facilities of the Swedish School of Sport, located in the heart of the largest city in Sweden. The Second International Fellowship of Europe’s Block A was also attended by Rev. Rodolfo González Cruz, International Treasurer of the WMM, and Rev. Carlos Medina, Supervisor of Europe’s Block A of MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 58 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
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the Worldwide Missionary Movement. They played an important role through two separate evangelical messages that focused on the principles of morality and holiness. Along with them, pastor Carlos Contreras, head of the temple in Stockholm, shared the Word as well. At the opening, pastor González Cruz gave a speech in which he talked about the day when the Lord will come, based on 2 Peter 3: 1-9. At the Swedish School of Sport, the reverend said, “The man has soul and spirit. If he only had body, he would not understand anything. This is what makes us talk with understanding and makes it possible for us to think and reason in the light of the Word of God, which gives life and allows us to understand and feel the Lord’s presence.” Then, at the closure of the Fellowship, Rev. Rodolfo González shared again the message of Jesus Christ. This time, the International Treasurer of the WMM gave a message based on John 1: 1-4, entitled “The Holy Spirit.” In his speech, pastor González said that “when we speak of the Holy Spirit, we speak of something big, something that we do not always appreciate. When a man or woman becomes a Christian, he or she begin to feel temptations and attacks from the enemy.” l July 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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RENEW ME AS BEFORE
The Movement in Italy celebrated the second anniversary of the temple in the municipality of Ovada, located in the Piedmont region. The Lord is growing stronger here as He is in the world.
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nder the theme “The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out,” the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Italy celebrated from May 14 to May 16 the second anniversary of the church established in the municipality of Ovada, located in the Piedmont region, where the Gospel of Christ is growing stronger thanks to the evangelizing labor of the Work of God. MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 60 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
In the beginning of the event, Rev. Leonel Cedeño, Officer of the Work in Italy, preached the Word of God based on Lamentations 5:21. In his speech, entitled “Renew me as before,” pastor Cedeño exhorted the people to take up the spiritual arms that are essential to remain firm in faith and face the attacks of the enemy to obtain the victory. Rev. Hugo Lope, Treasurer of the
Worldwide Missionary Movement in Italy, was another servant of the Almighty who delivered the message of the Lord. He spoke about “The consequences of living in the dark.” Pastor Lope, inspired by Psalm 6:3, referred to the true repentance that should exist in every Christian. He also said that the recent and current facts we are facing, announce the coming of Christ l
EVENTS
FAITHFUL UNTIL DEATH The Temple of Genoa held a special service where nineteen couples got married and thirty-five other couples renewed their wedding vows.
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nder the theme “The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out,” the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Italy celebrated from May 14 to May 16 the second anniversary of the church established in the municipality of Ovada, located in the Piedmont region, where the Gospel of Christ is growing stronger thanks to the evangelizing labor of the Work of God. In the beginning of the event, Rev. Leonel Cedeño, Officer of the Work in Italy, preached the Word of God based on Lamentations 5:21. In his speech, entitled “Renew me as before,” pastor Ce-
deño exhorted the people to take up the spiritual arms that are essential to remain firm in faith and face the attacks of the enemy to obtain the victory. Rev. Hugo Lope, Treasurer of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Italy, was another servant of the Almighty who delivered the message of the Lord. He spoke about “The consequences of living in the dark.” Pastor Lope, inspired by Psalm 6:3, referred to the true repentance that should exist in every Christian. He also said that the recent and current facts we are facing, announce the coming of Christ l July 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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LEAVING A GOOD LEGACY
God was present in the Dominican Republic, where the 32nd National Convention of Women was held with an impressive number of faithful.
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rom May 21 to May 23, the Worldwide Missionary Movement in the Dominican Republic held the 32nd National Convention of the Union of Women in Action of the Work, at the Convention Center of the WMM established here. The spiritual activity, entitled “Leaving a good legacy,” took place with a massive attendance and an environment full of faith. The preacher chosen for this event was Sister Jacqueline Rovira, National Officer of the Work in Puerto Rico and General Manager of the International Offices, who came from the ‘Lamb Island’ with the message of Jesus Christ. Under the anointing of the Holy SpiMISSIONARY MOVEMENT 62 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
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rit, Sister Rovira gave two speeches: “The Responsibility of Aged Women,” based on Titus 2:1-3, and “The Decision of Young Women,” based on Psalm 44:1 and 45:10-11. She also shared a message entitled “The aged women that teach the young women,” in which she analyzed Titus 2:4. On the second day of the 32nd National Convention of the Union of Women in Action of the Work, several
workshops were conducted regarding different Christian topics. Sisters Rosamira Green, Mildred Ruiz, Maribel Villavicencio, Nurys Mejía de Noboa and Rev. Rubén Concepción, Secretary of the Board of International Officers of the WMM, led these spaces dedicated to deepen the creed of the Lord. Several teachers also shared Christian teachings with the children who attended the event.
At the closure of the National Convention of Women of the WMM in the Dominican Republic, pastor Concepción spoke about the power of God. The message of the servant of the Almighty allowed the people to enrich their knowledge about the basis of Christian faith. The event ended with an impressive group of faithful who never stopped to worship and praise their Savior l July 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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Others Events
ECUADOR SUPPORTING THE LITTLE ONES
A group of brothers from Zone 5 of the Church of Pascuales, located in Guayaquil, conducted a missionary journey on June 13-14 to Canton Posorja, in Precooperativa Cristo Viene, where the Church has established a field two months ago. The brothers arrived on June 13 at noon and visited every house to invite all the local residents to the night service. Children were also invited for the next day to the first day of Sunday school. The first night service was attended by several local friends who came to listened to the Word of God through Brother Marcelo Morocho, with the theme: “What should we do to inherit eternal life?” based on Luke 10:25 -37. On June 14 in the morning, 21 children came to the first day of Sunday school; they played fun games and received teaching in light of the Holy Scripture. Then, a glorious Sunday service was held, and several families heard the Word of God through Brother Segundo Galo Yanez, with the theme “Beggar and Prince,” based on 2 Samuel 9. These were two very glorious days! l
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URUGUAY
ARGENTINA
NATIONAL WOMEN RETREAT
ANNIVERSARY AND FELLOWSHIP IN GODOY CRUZ
The Third National Women Retreat of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Uruguay was held on May 15 to 17. The event took place at the premises of El Monte, a Christian center for retreats and events. More than fifty women from different parts of the country gathered in this glorious celebration under the theme: “Women filled with the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit moved in an amazing way, baptizing and ministering through praises and the Lord’s Word given by Missionary Sister Sandra Nova, from the city of Arica, Chile. The Lord allowed her to come and share the messages that God had put in her heart for the women in Uruguay: “Women with firm convictions of deep commitment” (Exodus 2: 1-10), “Privileges that require sacrifice to be filled with the Holy Spirit” (Luke 1: 36) and ministerial conferences for the development of God’s service. We thank God for his presence! l
The Work of the WMM in Godoy Cruz, in the province of Mendoza, Argentina, held on May 8-10 its Second Fellowship and Third Anniversary. Brothers and pastors from Rosario, Salta, Córdoba, San Juan, San Luis, Claypole, Mar del Plata and Capital Federal came to enjoy this great event. Likewise, Rev. Ismael Parrado, National Supervisor of the Work, and his beloved wife were a blessing in these days of fellowship. As part of the activity, baptisms in water were held on Sunday afternoon, and six brothers became members of the church. Glory to God! Pastor Alejandro Valenzuela, Officer of the National Board, summed up in two lines what happened: “This has been a great victory from God. He has spoken to us, He has been glorified and He has been real and present with His Word to advise, indoctrinate and teach us the way to better serve Him.” From Córdoba, Sister Mabel Seco said: “The desire we have in our hearts is to carry out all that the Lord has taught us these three days of fellowship. God wants to continue doing wonderful things in our lives.” Finally, pastor Walter Cardozo of the Work of the WMM in Rosario, in the province of Santa Fe, said: “We are very pleased to participate in this spiritual event and support this work, because we are a people working together” l
EL SALVADOR POWERFUL EVANGELISTIC CAMPAIGN
A glorious evangelistic activity led by the youth in El Salvador was held in the municipality of Santa Maria Ostuma, in the department of La Paz, at the base of the San Vicente volcano. The activity took place on April 25 and was organized by the National Board of Youth of the WMM. The Christian youth marched through the main streets of Ostuma. They sang praises, handed out brochures and proclaimed Jesus Christ as the only solution for this town besieged by gangs. A few days ago, the police station was attacked with grenades by gangs, all this a few meters from the temple. During this march, the local residents were touched and they left their houses to see what was happening. We had the support of the National Civil Police. Later that day, the service began for the youth from Ostuma and it was led by the group of the Central Zone. The Lord moved powerfully through the message delivered by pastor Mario Antonio Nataren, who preach on the theme “A free youth for God” (John 8:32). The Lord touched the youth, some accepted Christ as their personal Savior and others reconciled. All felt motivated for the next fellowship to be held in July in the West Zone l
QUOTES
FAMOUS SCIENTIFIC
QUOTES
• ALBERT EINSTEIN (1879-1955), Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921. He was a German physicist of Jewish origin, later nationalized American and Swiss. He is considered the most known and popular scientist of the twentieth century. “Science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind.” “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” • ARTHUR COMPTON (1892-1962), Nobel Prize in Physics in 1927 for his discovery of the so-called Compton Effect and his investigation of cosmic rays and the reflection, polarization and spectra of X-rays. “For myself, faith begins with a realization that a supreme intelligence brought the universe into being and created man. It is not difficult for me to have this faith, for it is incontrovertible that where there is a plan there is intelligence. An orderly, unfolding universe testifies to the truth of the most majestic statement ever uttered: ‘In the beginning, God…’ (Gn. 1:1).” • ARNO PENZIAS (1933), was a German-born American physicist. Penzias won the 1978 Nobel Prize in Physics, along with Robert Woodrow Wilson, for the discovery in 1964 of cosmic microwave background radiation or CMB. “If I had no other data than the early chapters of Genesis, some of the Psalms and other passages of Scripture, I would have arrived at essentially the same picture of the origin of the universe, as is indicated by the scientific data.” • DEREK BARTON (1918-1998), was a British chemist and professor of organic chemistry. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1969, along with Odd Hassel, “for their contributions to the develop-
PHOTO: AFP
There are many scientists who believe in God. They demonstrate that, through science and reason, the humble heart discovers the greatness of God. The real enemy of faith is pride, not science.
ment of the concept of conformation and its application in chemistry.” “There is no incompatibility between science and religion. Both are seeking the same truth. Science shows that God exists.” • CHRISTIAN B. ANFINSEN (19161995), Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1972 for his work on the structure of amino acids and the biological activity of the enzyme ribonuclease. “I think only an idiot can be an atheist”. • FRANCIS COLLINS (1950), American geneticist known for his discoveries of disease-causing genes and for having led the Human Genome Project for nine years. “I am a scientist and a believer, and I find no conflict between those world views”. “As the director of the Human Genome Project, I have led a consortium of scientists to read out the 3.1 billion letters of the human genome, our own DNA instruction book. As a believer, I see DNA, the information molecule of all living things, as God’s language, and the elegance and complexity of our own bodies and the rest of nature as a reflection of God’s plan” l July 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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THEY WRITE TO US... cartas@impactoevangelistico.net TAMARA SANAMÉ GÓMEZ Dear brothers, I am grateful for having received the Impacto Evangelistic magazine; it is really edifying. I am praying for this wonderful ministry. I enjoy very much reading the edifying messages and testimonies. From Holguín, Cuba.
CARLOS MARTÍNEZ Fraternal greetings. I was reading the message by Rev. Luis M. Ortiz, “The Indispensable Christ,” when I remembered that I first heard it when I was only 20 years old. It is a message for these times. Luis M. Ortiz has been an authentic apostle during this Christian era, a guardian, a defender of the sound doctrine, a true pastor, a passionate evangelist, a great master and a genuine founder of churches beyond his borders, with wonders, signs and miracles. From the Dominican Republic.
RICHARD ALVARADO God bless you. I greet you with the blessing of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Let me tell you that your publications have helped me tremendously. Although I have been attending the Worldwide Missionary Movement only for a while, I have seen how God has supported my whole family. Go forward. From Monagas, Venezuela.
IGNACIO JESÚS BENÍTEZ CRUZ
Dear brothers in Christ, God bless you! I thank you for the Impacto Evangelistic magazine, which I receive often. My brothers in faith, you have no idea how anxiously I wait for the magazine to come. It has the best quality printing and the best message, as it is sound doctrine. I am pleased to know that one of the first countries where the Work was established was here in Cuba, thanks to pastor Luis M. Ortiz. I learned all this things through to the pages of this interesting magazine called Impacto Evangelistic. From La Habana, Cuba.
FABIÁN CARRILLO God bless this work and continue enlightening you. The Impacto Evangelistic magazine is excellent, edifying and instructive. From Antioquia, Colombia.
ARTURO GUERRERO God bless you. I am writing because I would like to issue a small magazine and I would like you to share some ideas of your great work. Pray for our ministry of rehabilitation. Greetings and God continue blessing you. From Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico.
FÉLIX CRUZ Dear brothers in Christ, I want to greet and thank you for the Impacto Evangelistic magazine, which is very edifying for us. When I receive the magazine, I feel at home because we were born in this Work. Greetings from your brother in Christ. From Schenectady, New York State, USA.
GLOBAL AGENDA 2015 JANUARY 1-4 National Convention in Puerto Rico 6-13 National Convention in Colombia
FEBRUARY 5-8 Convention in Paraguay (Asuncion) 12-15 Convention in Argentina (Buenos Aires) 14-17 Convention in Panama 19-22 Convention in Belize MARCH 5-8 Convention in Honduras 7-12 National Family Fellowship (Lima-Peru) APRIL 1-5 Convention in Guatemala 2-5 National Fellowship in Australia (Sydney) MAY 2-4 Convention in Japan 27-31 Convention in India JUNE 11-14 Convention in Brazil (Manaus) JULY 2-5 7-10 7-11 8-11
Convention in Bolivia (Sucre) Convention in the USA (Marietta, GA) Convention in Costa Rica (Central Zone) Convention in the Netherlands Antilles (Aruba)
AUGUST 4-8 Convention in Venezuela 6-9 Convention in Mexico 6-9 Convention in Spain 12-15 Convention in Africa 12-16 Convention in Haiti 13-16 Convention in Italy 26-30 South American Congress in Guayaquil, Ecuador SEPTEMBER Saturday 26 - Mission World Day OCTOBER 9-11 National Fellowship in Canada 13-18 Convention in Peru (Lima) 21-25 Convention in Mauritius 22-24 Convention in the Dominican Republic 22-25 Convention in Uruguay (Montevideo) 26-28 Campaign in Madagascar 29-1 (Nov.) Convention in Chile (Santiago) NOVEMBER 5-8 Convention in El Salvador 24-29 National Convention in Peru (Lima) 26-29 Convention in Nicaragua DECEMBER
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MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 66 WORLDWIDE America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia
Founder Director: Rev. Luis M. Ortiz Editorial board: Rev. Luis Meza Bocanegra, Jacqueline Rovira, Samuel Martínez, Rev. Andrés Espejo Editorial coordinator: Rev. Julián Morón General editor: Víctor Tipe Sánchez Editor: Jaime Tipe Sánchez Graphic editor: Roberto Guerrero Graphic design: Adolfo Zubietta Writers: Johan Pérez Landeo, Marlo Pérez. Designers: Lesly Sánchez, Jorge Cisneros. Web master and Infographics: Julio de la Cruz. Illustration: Pablo Vilca. Transcription: Fanny Vidal. Community manager: Juan Becerra, Denisse Barrientos. Distribution: Javier Arotinco.
Happinesis s
For family happiness July 2015 / Impacto evangelistic
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CARLOS WILL PUSH HIS FAMILY TO THE BRINK OF DEATH
NEW EPISODE SATURDAY, JULY 18 3PM Watch again Wednesday, July 22 7pm
Bethel Television, the Worldwide Missionary Movement channel, broadcasts the Word of God’s message through cultural and educational programs from Lima - Peru to the world by 6 satellites and the Internet.
WORLDWIDE MISSIONARY MOVEMENT
68 America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia