From the Superintendent's DESK

Following his April visit to our churches in Chile, Sam Ajayi, Director of South America Work, continued his trip by traveling to Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, and Peru. In each country, he met with our congregations or contacts as well as evangelized in new outreach areas. He sent the following report, which gives some inspiring details of how the Lord continues to work in these countries.

Uruguay

‍There is a new start in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and a hope rising for Uruguay. For a few years, I've been praying and desiring for an open door to Uruguay, which is quite close to Buenos Aires. On this trip, the Lord opened the way. Immediately after arriving in Argentina on Friday, April 25, the first thing was to go to the ferry terminal to purchase tickets to Uruguay. Early the next morning, Walter Gabriel Teves, our contact person in Buenos Aires, accompanied me to the terminal from where we took a two-hour ferry ride to Montevideo.

For the entire day, we had the opportunity to distribute tracts in the business section and in the city center. We pray that many will respond to the Gospel message presented to them through the tracts and that many will experience the holy life that is available through the Blood of Jesus.

‍Argentina

‍On Sunday afternoon, April 27, I met with Brother Gabriel, his wife, Fatima, and their four daughters. Sister Fatima shared how she came to salvation through the serious sickness of her mother. She promised God that if He would heal her mother, she would leave her life of sin. God did heal her mother, and He also helped Fatima keep her promise and get saved. In addition, He had given her the deeper Christian experiences and has kept her.

In engaging the girls, an emotional time came when their five-year old asked, “Why does God help all people with problems?” This gave an opening to talk about the unparalleled and unique love and goodness of the Lord. I had the opportunity to tell them how God created mankind with everything necessary for happiness; He even created a companion for Adam. When man fell into sin, God provided His only begotten Son to be the sacrifice, so we can have access to live with Him eternally. I challenged the girls to follow in the footsteps of their parents to get saved and become model Christians for their peers. They understand and have made a commitment to seek for salvation.

Before leaving, we established that the Teves family will start Apostolic Faith cottage meetings in their home in Buenos Aires. We pray the Lord will help them to propagate the Gospel in this location.

‍Brazil

‍My aim in going to Brazil was to encourage our work in two locations. To this end, I first met with the pastor of our Sao Paulo congregation, Josias Luiz do Carmo, and his wife, Maria, on Tuesday, April 29. During our visit, we were able to formulate plans to advance Sunday school and outreach efforts as well as get them set up to participate in Brazil online services. If the Lord tarries, we plan to embark on a significant outreach in the area next year.

Next, I went to our Brazil headquarters in Jurema, a suburb of Fortaleza. During an evening church service on Thursday, May 1, I brought greetings from the Portland headquarters and church. The saints were elated to receive encouragement from the headquarters as they are somewhat isolated geographically.

The message was based on Job 35:3, “For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin?” The congregation was reminded of the many earthly advantages to getting saved, including peace, a relationship with God, help through life, and direction. In addition, God offers benefits that are beyond human imagination, and then eternal life with Him. A good prayer session followed, at the end of which some came forward to be prayed over for healing.

The next evening, another service was held. The passage for the message was Isaiah 55:6-7, which begins, “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.” The sermon highlighted that like many things in life, salvation is available today, but there is no guarantee that it will be available tomorrow. The congregation was reminded that the Lord will abundantly pardon the one who repents. Another good prayer session followed.

I left Brazil very encouraged that the leaders and brethren there are determined to press forward with zeal in their faith.

‍Peru

‍March through May are the wettest months in Iquitos, where an Apostolic Faith Sunday school is located on the Amazon River in the rainforests of northern Peru. Upon arrival, I was greeted by a heavy chorus of rain outside, but soon we were enjoying a hearty chorus of songs inside.

Following the singing, the group that was smaller than usual due to the rising water level, was divided by age into two groups. The adult lesson was led by Modesto Aranda and titled “Christian Maintenance.” The children’s lesson was on “Honoring and Obeying Mothers” and was taught by Sister Clara, the pastor. At the close, the children were served refreshments, and each class was led in prayer.

Then everyone reassembled for an exhortation from John 5:2-9, the account of the man who was infirm for thirty-eight years. The message noted that Jesus could have gone to bigger, more attractive locations. However, He chose to go where this man was, so He could heal him, both physically and spiritually. The listeners were encouraged that the Gospel message came personally to them in Iquitos that they might have eternal life. A time of prayer followed and then group photos were taken. 

Later in the day, a meeting was held without the children to discuss challenges facing the congregation. These include the need for infrastructural expansion and enhancement for better evangelism and Christian growth. Before I left, the saints expressed appreciation to the Portland headquarters for helping them remodel after flood damage and for new chairs.

On Monday, May 5, I went to Chiclayo expecting to visit Agustin Quiroz, who leads our Peru work, on his sickbed. However, when one of his sons came to pick me up, I was surprised to see him and his wife in the car! We went to his house, where he had prepared a meeting with some pastors who desire to become part of the Apostolic Faith Church. We spoke of Bible doctrine as well as the practices and leadership structure of our church, and then we agreed to remain in communication. After our meeting, one of them invited me to his church and another to his home, and I visited both.

During my time in Peru, I was encouraged to see spiritual growth among all ages, and I pray the Lord will continue to shine His Light in this country and throughout all South America. 

Brother Sam has now returned home. Let’s join with him in praying for the work in South America that the Lord will water the seeds that have been sown, give them root, and raise up souls for His Kingdom.