A new wave of Latino missionaries
By Chris Conti | OCLA in South America
Nearly every Latino candidate I meet wants to work in the unreached places of the world and do some of the hardest work. God is raising up a new wave of missionaries in South America, and we are joyfully equipping them for service and sending them to these unreached areas of the world.
In the past few years, we have sent three Peruvians to serve on SIM fields in East Asia, India and South Africa. What used to only be a mission field is now a missionary force, and candidates and churches throughout Latin America are embracing their mission callings.
Investing in Latinos - and others from countries who only received missionaries - completes the goal of why we do missions in the first place: to disciple others so they can make disciples.
Latino candidates inspire me with their attitudes, their loving culture and their willingness to sacrifice. These attributes make them valuable resources on the mission field.
A few years ago, SIM created missionary training curriculum that is now available in Spanish and English, and nearly ready in French and Chinese. The curriculum has helped candidates all over the world, but we now see a new need surface. The problem in Latin America and other countries is not a shortage of missionary candidates. The challenge is how to support these candidates in prayer and pastoral care.
Churches need to have a clear understanding of world missions and their plan in it. Mobilization is advanced discipleship, helping each Christian take up his or her role in God's mission.
In Peru, we are starting a new project called "Let's Mobilize His Church." We envision a very practical resource kit, guiding a church to teach about missions and disciple each member to be disciple-makers. This material will be produced in English, Spanish and French, especially focusing on the needs in the church in Latin America and Africa.
I have seen first-hand, SIM's renewed commitment to reaching the unreached with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Reaching the unreached is an overwhelming thought, with so many people living and dying without ever hearing of the hope we have in Jesus.
However, with mature churches behind these new missionaries, praying and giving, more people will hear. With this global mission in mind, it is strategic to invest our prayers, finances and innovations in the new wave of missionaries, coming out of Latin America, Africa and Asia. Together we are stronger.
Our vision is equipping missionaries from everywhere to go anywhere and I'm excited to see the Latin American church taking part in God's global mission.
Pray for:
• Latino mission workers to boldly go to those who do not yet know Jesus.
• SIM to effectively support Latino missionaries.
• the launch of the project "Let's Mobilize his Church."
