Everything listed under: church-planting

A Week in My Life  by Peru Mission missionary Albert den Oudsten Often I start the week without knowing what I exactly will be doing that week. Every week is different working as a missionary here in Trujillo. At the last moment meetings are scheduled or cancelled and more activities are always coming up.

Without money to pay for even one meal a day and basic clothing, Eduardo and his classmate Elmer have had to leave seminary and come home. But that's not the end of the story.

I never thought that day would be the beginning of a new and marvelous stage of life for my family and ministry.

Ezekiel 47.1-12 One essential ingredient for successful Christian missions is hope.  What I mean by that is a clear vision of what God’s plans are for the future and a firm conviction...

Among the ministries of the Presbyterian Congregation in Wichanzao, the ministry of evangelism and missions permits us to approach the community in the most strategic ways possible...

“[It was] the first time that we have had a gathering of all the brethren within our fraternity of churches,” says Pastor Allen Smith. In July, a little over two years since its founding, Peru Mission’s church plant in downtown Trujillo officially became Cristo Rey Presbyterian Church under the care of the South Texas Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of America (PCA) and was organized by Pastor Wes Baker acting as Evangelist. Members of three sister congregations in Trujillo attended the se...

“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” 1 Tim. 4:12 These words of the Apostle Paul to the young minister Timothy come to mind when I see the work that the Lord is doing in and through Jefferson Alayo. Sometimes our tendency is to think that young people, by the mere fact of being young, are not able to show maturity or be mature.

Saturday night the congregation of Wichanzao Presbyterian Church gathered for a prayer vigil following a presbytery meeting the day before. There was gospel preaching by Pastor Juan Marquina, jubilant singing, and kingdom prayer. One particular motive for praise this weekend was the ordination of José Barriga as an elder in the church.

Last night Christ the Restorer Presbyterian Mission officially became a church. This service was made even more special by the ordination of Peru Mission missionary Dale Ellison as an elder in the church. Ellison joined pastors Ricardo Hernández and Percy Padilla on the session of the growing congregation in the Manuel Arévalo neighborhood.

Last Saturday Christ the King Presbyterian Church held a sports day or campeonato. Peruvians love sports--volleyball and soccer (futbol), to be specific--and there are few better ways to get a group together than to host a tournament.  Each missional cell group put together teams for both sports, and one of the sisters of the church cooked up a delicious lunch of chicken and rice for the whole crowd. There were games for the little ones, and everyone had a great time visiting.

Last night Christ the King Presbyterian Mission officially became Christ the King Presbyterian Church. Pastor Wes Baker recently received the powers of evangelist from the South Texas Presbytery of the PCA and was able to constitute the church under that presbytery's auspices. The founding elders are pastors Jaime Avellaneda, Wes Baker, Oscar Briones, and Allen Smith.

Yesterday the congregation of Cristo Rey in downtown Trujillo welcomed five new members.

“And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matt.

The sermon today was from John chapter three, quite appropriate for the large number of visitors that we had. Several enthusiastic SALI students joined us and several others who were just friends and acquaintances of members.  We are encouraged by the eagerness of our members to reach out to neighbors, co-workers and friends.

We enjoyed having the Rev. Sergio La Rosa with us yesterday as a guest preacher in "Cristo Rey."  Pastor Sergio grew up on the southern coast of Peru.  After studying for the ministry at the Seminario Evangelico de Lima, he worked in the central jungle as a missionary to indigenous tribes for several years.

Cristo Rey received two new members today.  Veronica Ramos and Pedro Arribasplata completed our membership class last week and made a profession of faith this morning at the beginning of our service.  We have also had several very steady visitors over the past few months in whom the Lord seems to be working in a noticeable way.