30 December 2009
|They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. Acts 14:21-23
Primary Ministry
Our primary ministry in Peru has been that of church planting. Over the years in cooperation with our national workers and the Bob Riggenbach family who preceded us in the work here, we have seen over 60 churches established in southern Peru.
Above: Bob preaches in the remote village of Chichas. Chichas is in an inter-Andean valley and has no running water and just recently they got electricity.
With the exception of the city of Arequipa and some other larger cities, we have tried to follow the Scriptural example of Romans 15:20-21 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation. Rather, as it is written: 'Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.'
Christ is the Head of His Church
The work has been non-denominational, believing that all of those who belong to Christ in a given location are the expression of His church in that locality. We believe that Christ is the head of His church, and that unity is to be achieved as we in humility submit to Him in obedience to His Word.
Above: Bob teaching in a remote village in the Andes with a small church established.
Modeling Acts 14
In establishing the church in the different towns we have tried to follow the model of Acts 14:21-23 They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.
'We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,' they said. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.
We believe that the New Testament is a sufficient guide for our faith and practice. Some books that have helped us, however, in being made aware of church principles are: Missionary Methods, Saint Paul’s or Ours? By Roland Allen and The Normal Christian Church Life by Watchman Nee.
Establishing Churches
The work of establishing the churches developed in the mountain and valley towns within a radius of about 200 miles from Arequipa. Though now most of the towns have roads, in the early years of the work many of these places had to be visited on foot or by mule-back, sometimes walking up to 15 hours from the end of the road.
Oftentimes it was in the most inaccessible places where hearts were most open to the Gospel.
Though sometimes I do visit individual churches, my ministry to the distant churches is now primarily in occasional seminars in some central location of the churches in that area.
I also minister through encouragement and counseling to our national workers, who have taken the responsibility of ministering to the elders and churches of their particular geographic area. (Please see the section on National Workers)