From the Superintendent's DESK

Sam Ajayi, Director of South America Work, recently completed a visit to Chile to encourage the brethren there. During his visit, he met several newer converts and arranged for our Rauco congregation to join the online interactive church services enjoyed by our Chilean saints. The following report gives more details of his trip.

I arrived in Chile early in the morning on Tuesday, April 22. Later that evening, Israel Gajardo, the leader of our work there, and another brother traveled with me to our Rauco location for a business meeting followed by an evangelistic service.

During the business meeting, I welcomed everyone with greetings from the Portland headquarters. It was a delight to meet some brethren who were saved since the pandemic. They introduced themselves in turn. Then I assured them that they are part of a global organization, united in faith and practice in the desire to qualify for Heaven. Before concluding the meeting, it was decided that we would expand the church in Rauco, embark on intensive evangelism, and make this location one of the Chilean Zoom outreach centers.

In the evangelistic service that followed, by the time the mandolins and the guitars struck their chords, and the congregation sang out “Onward Christian Soldiers,” the Spirit of God was mightily present. The text of the message was from Genesis 16:7-13. It was noted that when Hagar fled her home, she least expected that God would send an angel to her. Though her actions deserved a reprimand, God did not condemn her. Instead, He extended His blessings and goodness to her. Hagar returned home happy, and though the situation there had not changed, she was different, because she had experienced the transformation of God. She joyfully declared God as “him that seeth me.” Those present were encouraged to come to Jesus and experience the same transformation that Hagar did so they, too, could be changed and leave rejoicing. The sermon was followed by a good altar service and time of fellowship.

On Wednesday, we again had a business meeting followed by a church service, this time at the Chile headquarters location in Chimbarongo. As in Rauco, there were new faces—people who had been saved in recent years and added to the congregation. One of these was a woman with a remarkable testimony. She had not stepped inside a church for thirty years, but in a miraculous way, God spoke to her heart. She came and got saved with her daughter, and now the two of them attend faithfully.

Another newer convert testified that a year ago, she had a stomach ache. The doctor ran several tests and eventually, she was diagnosed with cancer. A week ago, she was awaiting surgery when the hospital called with the latest test results. In her own words, she said, “The doctor told me something he couldn’t even explain. Although the surgery is still on, it is no longer cancer! For that, I thank the Lord and everyone.”

The message, which was taken from Luke 24:13-35, was about Jesus taking over. It recounted the experience of the two disciples who left Jerusalem for Emmaus feeling disappointed and defeated because Jesus, in whom they had hoped, was dead. They did not realize that the One who joined in conversation with them on the road to Emmaus was Jesus. However, when they invited Him to eat with them, He took over! As He broke the bread and prayed, their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him. They returned to Jerusalem and testified, “It is true! The Lord has risen.”

The congregation was challenged that if they had grown discouraged, tired, or distracted, to look to Jesus. They were told that He wants to take over for them, give victory, and replace lethargy with a renewed Spirit. God’s presence was strongly felt throughout the service, and many went to the altars in tears afterward.

At the conclusion of his report, Brother Sam noted that should the Lord tarry, the 2026 Chile Camp Meeting will be held the last Thursday through Sunday in April. He also said that steps have been taken to widen evangelistic efforts there.

We thank God for the work He is doing in Chile, and especially for the new names written in Heaven! As Brother Sam is traveling from Chile to Argentina to Brazil, let’s pray for the Lord’s traveling mercies and continued blessings in South America.