Raising up a new generation of disciples in Latin America
Welcome!
Gilbert, Virginia & Sofia Contreras
We are Assemblies of God missionaries to Argentina.
Thanks for visiting and learning more about our passion for raising up a new generation of disciples in Latin America.
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Links
You may find these links helpful:
• AG World Missions
• So. California District Council
Prayer Requests
Call to prayer for Argentina
10/27/10 21:22
This morning we awoke with the news that the former president of the country Néstor Kirchner died of a heart attack! He had had two previous health issues due to his heart and this morning in his home in the south of Argentina he suffered a fatal heart attack.
Will you join us in praying for Argentina in this critical time of mourning. Néstor Kirchner was the husband of the current President, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and so the President will be in mourning. Pray for grace as she continues to govern.
In this time of sorrow is also the opportunity for God to manifest his glory!
Will you join us in praying for Argentina in this critical time of mourning. Néstor Kirchner was the husband of the current President, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and so the President will be in mourning. Pray for grace as she continues to govern.
In this time of sorrow is also the opportunity for God to manifest his glory!
- Pray for salvation for Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and her whole family.
- Pray that Godly people will be able to surround the first family and minister to them with wise counsel.
- Pray for Argentina to experience a touch from the Lord in this time of mourning
Answered Prayer
10/21/10 16:20
We wanted to let you know that Sofia has recovered well from the pneumonia that she had. In these past few weeks she did have one week of high fever, the flu, and the doctor's recently diagnosed her with sinusitus, but she has recovered well and is done with all the medication. Thank you for praying for our family. It's amazing and interesting but everytime Gilbert travels it seems like Sofia gets sick! She got sick when he traveled to Cuba, in this recent trip to teach in Cordoba and he has a few more trips. Pray with us for continued health for the whole family.
Prayer Request Sheet
10/21/10 13:31
Pray for Wisdom
Pray for Health
Leadership
10/16/10 14:15
"Recently another well-known Christian leader in the USA has come under fire for sexual immorality....He denied the allegations and vowed to fight the charges. Why leaders fall so often? According to James Emery White it is because "Ministry is spiritually hazardous to your soul." Why? First, it is because leaders are constantly doing “spiritual” things, and it is easy to confuse those things with actually being spiritual. For example, you are constantly studying the Bible in order to prepare a talk. It’s easy to confuse this with reading and studying the Bible devotionally to apply to your own soul. You’re not. You are praying – in services, during meetings, at pot lucks – and it is easy to think you are leading a life of personal, private prayer pouring out your praise, your confession, your thanksgiving, your needs, to God. You’re not.... What’s at play here? It’s actually quite simple. When you are in ministry, it is easy to confuse doing things for God with spending time with God; to confuse activity with intimacy; to mistake the trappings of spirituality for being spiritual...But there’s a second reason why ministry is hazardous to a leader’s soul, and it’s even more subtle than the first. It is because as a minister you are constantly being put on a spiritual pedestal and treated as if you are the fourth member of the trinity...." James Emery White
Leadership and all its implications, that is exactly what Gilbert was teaching on this past week at the AG Instituto Bible School in Cordoba, "Instituto Biblico Mediterraneo."
Gilbert had the first year Bible School students and had a week to teach on the importance of building Christian character, developing spiritual leadership by developing a spiritual life, and the model of Jesus as leader and servant.
Here are some testimonies:
"I was impacted in every sense of the word by this course, I was especially challenged to know the Scriptures and memorize them as I heard and reflected on the persecution of Christians in other countries." Saul Baldeón
"I have been completely challenged. I would have never thought that the way I view the world would impact my behavior and because of that I need to renew my mind. I have purposed to scrutinize the Scriptures with greater seriousness. Thank you professor for demonstrating to us an example of a spiritual leader." Yesica Luna
"I was confronted with the reality that I am undisciplined. My concept of leader before this class was of someone who only had a title and was like a dictator. Studying the leadership style of Jesus really impacted me." Samuel Luna
These students will become the pastors, christian educators and missionaries of Argentina in the future. It was a real privilege to be a part of their formation this past week. As part of their assignment they had to design a 12 month growth plan in five areas, how they would grow: spiritually, emotionally, physically, socially and mentally. It was a challenge for them but they did it and if they put it into practice, with God's grace, we will see a new kind of leadership in the country, going beyond superficiality and simple titles to leadership from the inside out. We need a new generation of leaders who are full of spiritual fruit that resembles our Lord or as Richard Foster states it, deep people:
"The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people"
We appreciate your partnership in raising up a new gereration of disciples in Latin America, these Bible school students are part of it.
Leadership and all its implications, that is exactly what Gilbert was teaching on this past week at the AG Instituto Bible School in Cordoba, "Instituto Biblico Mediterraneo."
Gilbert had the first year Bible School students and had a week to teach on the importance of building Christian character, developing spiritual leadership by developing a spiritual life, and the model of Jesus as leader and servant.
Here are some testimonies:
"I was impacted in every sense of the word by this course, I was especially challenged to know the Scriptures and memorize them as I heard and reflected on the persecution of Christians in other countries." Saul Baldeón
"I have been completely challenged. I would have never thought that the way I view the world would impact my behavior and because of that I need to renew my mind. I have purposed to scrutinize the Scriptures with greater seriousness. Thank you professor for demonstrating to us an example of a spiritual leader." Yesica Luna
"I was confronted with the reality that I am undisciplined. My concept of leader before this class was of someone who only had a title and was like a dictator. Studying the leadership style of Jesus really impacted me." Samuel Luna
These students will become the pastors, christian educators and missionaries of Argentina in the future. It was a real privilege to be a part of their formation this past week. As part of their assignment they had to design a 12 month growth plan in five areas, how they would grow: spiritually, emotionally, physically, socially and mentally. It was a challenge for them but they did it and if they put it into practice, with God's grace, we will see a new kind of leadership in the country, going beyond superficiality and simple titles to leadership from the inside out. We need a new generation of leaders who are full of spiritual fruit that resembles our Lord or as Richard Foster states it, deep people:
"The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people"
We appreciate your partnership in raising up a new gereration of disciples in Latin America, these Bible school students are part of it.
Urgent prayer request
09/01/10 16:50
URGENT PRAYER REQUEST:
As you will read, Gilbert made it safe and sound back from Cuba but while he was gone Sofia began with a slight cold, then tonsillitis and on Saturday the doctor confirmed that she has pneumonia! She had a fever most of last week and for the past two days has been without a fever, but today she had a fever of 101.
Will you join us in prayer for health:
As you will read, Gilbert made it safe and sound back from Cuba but while he was gone Sofia began with a slight cold, then tonsillitis and on Saturday the doctor confirmed that she has pneumonia! She had a fever most of last week and for the past two days has been without a fever, but today she had a fever of 101.
Will you join us in prayer for health:
- Sofia has pneumonia
- Gilbert still has a nagging cough from last week's cold
Cuba Update
09/01/10 16:50
Thanks for praying for Gilbert he is back from Cuba!
First, thank you for praying for Gilbert as he traveled to and from Cuba, there were no logistical problems and for that we are thankful. Second, thanks for praying for God to speak through him, as you will see in the pictures below it was a fruitful time.
Gilbert with Alejandro Frias (Right, President of the National Youth department) & Eniberto Lopez (Left, Vice President of the National Youth Department & pastor of the church where we were holding our meetings).
Hungry for God: one way I would describe the students in Cuba is, Hungry. Hungry for God. The response of the students at the alter was amazing, longing for God to touch them, direct them and minister to them.
It was hot! In these days we experienced the hottest days of the years, according to the pastor of the church, still students packed the church and sought after God. See below:
The President and the Vice President of the national youth department in different ocassions said, "please let those who made this trip possible know that we are profoundly thankful." The President of ACEP (the national university student group) was expressing to me that in has been three years since they have been able to hold this kind of meeting, and at the verge of tears, she was saying "Thank you" for making it possible.
Thank you to all who gave a bit extra for to help cover the expenses for this trip. Thank you for praying for God to encourage, equip and minister to these students.
First, thank you for praying for Gilbert as he traveled to and from Cuba, there were no logistical problems and for that we are thankful. Second, thanks for praying for God to speak through him, as you will see in the pictures below it was a fruitful time.
Gilbert with Alejandro Frias (Right, President of the National Youth department) & Eniberto Lopez (Left, Vice President of the National Youth Department & pastor of the church where we were holding our meetings).
Hungry for God: one way I would describe the students in Cuba is, Hungry. Hungry for God. The response of the students at the alter was amazing, longing for God to touch them, direct them and minister to them.
It was hot! In these days we experienced the hottest days of the years, according to the pastor of the church, still students packed the church and sought after God. See below:
The President and the Vice President of the national youth department in different ocassions said, "please let those who made this trip possible know that we are profoundly thankful." The President of ACEP (the national university student group) was expressing to me that in has been three years since they have been able to hold this kind of meeting, and at the verge of tears, she was saying "Thank you" for making it possible.
Thank you to all who gave a bit extra for to help cover the expenses for this trip. Thank you for praying for God to encourage, equip and minister to these students.
Summer 2010 Newsletter has arrived!
07/10/10 23:17
"The Bible is God’s Bible; and when I see it, I seem to hear a voice springing up from it, saying, “I am the book of God; man, read me. I am God’s writing; open my leaf, for I was penned by God; read it, for he is my author, and you will see him visible and manifest everywhere. -Charles Spurgeon
Summer 2010 Newsletter has arrived!
We wanted to let you know that we just released our Summer 2010 newsletter. You can click on the image and download your copy today. . . . .>
Summer 2010 Newsletter has arrived!
We wanted to let you know that we just released our Summer 2010 newsletter. You can click on the image and download your copy today. . . . .>
Spring 2010 Newsletter has arrived!
03/15/10 19:25
Spring 2010 Newsletter has arrived!
It has been a while since our last update and we wanted to let you know that we just released our Spring 2010 newsletter.
You can click on the image and download your copy today. . . . . >
Spiritual tools for transformation
03/15/10 15:45
"Church leaders engage in this endeavor: they must a.) see what is inside other potential leaders, b.) use leadership skill to bring it out, and c.) avoid standing in front of it, once that skill becomes obvious to others." Herb Miller
Spiritual tools for transformation
This year's theme for our monthly equipping seminars is "Transformers of Society" and Virginia began our first seminars last Saturday with the topic of "Herramientas Espirituales" ( spiritual tools). She challenged them to be the tool God can use to transform Argentina and taught them on the spiritual gifts even helping them to discover their own spiritual gift.
One student Carlos Gardenal came to Virginia and said: "I love your teaching. It's always biblical and practical. If I would have known this earlier many things would have been different in my life and ministry."
Prayer request
This weekend we teach on "Clearly presenting vision and mission" to a group of missions promoters. Please pray that God's anointing as we teach.
We are so thankful for your help in reaching Argentina for Christ.
Ministry Flashbites
02/06/10 20:44
| We have begun the year with great expectation and a more determined resolve after a refreshing and inspiring time at our Latin American & Caribbean conference in late December. In January we had two major events: Virginia being the key speaker at the Big Sky SALT conference (a conference for Chi Alpha university students), which was a blessing. The second was our participation at the annual School of Missions in Argentina. For both we are grateful to God for the invitations to equip students and missionaries to boldly declare His name all over the world. This past quarter we expressed a concern over our financial situation and how we had experienced a drop in our monthly support. In response to prayer many gave an additional gift and/or above and beyond their normal generosity. Thanks to you who prayed. Thanks to you who gave. Please continue praying for our finances as we work from Argentina to increase our ministry partners in the months ahead. We truly need a financial miracle to keep on travelling and teaching. Finally, we wanted to share with you a word from one of our colleagues and the director of the National Department of Missions, Brad Walz, on our participation at the School of Missions. Be encouraged at the great response to your prayers on our behalf. |
Late Fall Newsletter
11/26/09 03:04
It is our hope that you are encouraged by what is happening with university ministry to students in Argentina.
The church was earnestly praying...
11/25/09 18:41
We read in Acts 12 that the church was earnestly praying for Peter while he was imprisoned and God did amazing things. In these past couple of months we have asked you to pray for us and we have seen amazing things happen in our lives as well.
Many have given special financial gifts, others have increased their financial giving, and some have been generous and given their whole year’s pledge in one gift! We feel like Peter when the angel came and opened the door leading him out... we are seeing God opening the door of provision in our lives. Though it is the end of the academic and calendar year and some are slowing down we sense God telling us like Peter, “get dressed and put on your shoes!”... There is a great hope in our hearts for what is yet to come and we know we can accomplish it because of the deep assurance we sense from God: “the church is praying.”
It is time to step out in God’s power to equip the church to reach the 1.5 million university students in Argentina. With today’s choices they can pursue the pleasures of materialism, follow the anti-biblical worldview that they are inundated with daily or catch the vision Christ has for them of being Transformers in today’s society as they live out their lives in faithful obedience to His word.
Many have not heard yet the call to follow Christ; we feel energized to continue communicating it and we sense His power in direct response to the prayer of the saints. The church was earnestly praying... and great things were and are being accomplished.
To read more....
Many have given special financial gifts, others have increased their financial giving, and some have been generous and given their whole year’s pledge in one gift! We feel like Peter when the angel came and opened the door leading him out... we are seeing God opening the door of provision in our lives. Though it is the end of the academic and calendar year and some are slowing down we sense God telling us like Peter, “get dressed and put on your shoes!”... There is a great hope in our hearts for what is yet to come and we know we can accomplish it because of the deep assurance we sense from God: “the church is praying.”
It is time to step out in God’s power to equip the church to reach the 1.5 million university students in Argentina. With today’s choices they can pursue the pleasures of materialism, follow the anti-biblical worldview that they are inundated with daily or catch the vision Christ has for them of being Transformers in today’s society as they live out their lives in faithful obedience to His word.
Many have not heard yet the call to follow Christ; we feel energized to continue communicating it and we sense His power in direct response to the prayer of the saints. The church was earnestly praying... and great things were and are being accomplished.
To read more....
Did you know...
11/24/09 18:53
Did you know
We recognize what a challenge it is to reach this small yet significant percentage of the population and we are thankful for your partnership in this great task.
- That Argentina has over 1.5 million students attend institutions of higher education (roughtly half the population of college age students). With a network of 39 National Universities, which are tuition free! Private universities exist but due to their cost are often only available to the more affluent students, and they enroll about a sixth of the collegiate student body. [Click to see a list of Argentine universities] [Wikipedia]
- From the time that students enroll in college and graduate they will make numerous decisions about life. Those choices will have a lasting impact on their lives and our society. The latest Barna study shows that 77% of all decisions made for Christ were made before the age of 21! We target univeristy students because it is the decision making time in their lives where their beliefs and perceptions of the world are being shaped.
- This is a highly strategic people group. Even though university students number only 1% of the world’s population from this group will come leaders for every facet of our society. From around the world the best and brightest attend universities for training and equipping to lead in tomorrow’s world.
We recognize what a challenge it is to reach this small yet significant percentage of the population and we are thankful for your partnership in this great task.
Contreras Fall 2009 Newsletter is now available!
09/01/09 16:33
It’s here!
We just couldn't wait to let you know all that has been happening with university ministries here in Argentina, so our Fall 2009 newsletter is now available! Read it online or download a copy for your times a prayer and intercession.
- Testimony: Don't under estimate the power of Prayer
- Chi Alpha Missions team report
- National University Ministry retreat update
- Training and equipping report
In this issue you will find:
Touching lives around the world
09/01/09 13:50
These past few months we have had the privilege of hosting missions teams from two different universities, as well as two students who have helped us in our ministry here in Argentina. Marissa Hunt (right), a student of Wheaton College and Danielle Chun (left), a student of UC Davis have both been a blessing to us. A month ago we said goodbye to Marissa and this week we say goodbye to Danielle.They have been a tremendous blessing to us in so many ways and we are sad to see them go, but they have to return to complete their studies. Let me share with you some of Danielle's thoughts as she prepares to return to the life of a student in California:
"Last year I was given the opportunity to serve in Argentina for two weeks with a group of university students from California. I knew that it was God answering my prayers. Seeing the love of God and His ministry in the Argentine people and on the university campuses greatly impacted me.
They remained in my prayers as I returned to the States and the Lord opened another door for me to serve in Argentina. As another answer to prayer, I have been able to serve alongside Gilbert and Virginia Contreras in Argentina for the past several months and be a part of the student aspect of the university ministry - “Contacto Universitario”. The Lord has used each person greatly to teach and challenge me regarding my faith and relationship with God. Now that I reflect and look back on this trip, I realize that I started with the mindset of how I could serve and bless others here in Argentina. On the contrary, more than me blessing and serving them, I have been greatly blessed to hear and learn more from the Lord with the community here. I think that many times it is easy to settle, especially regarding our faith, to settle down and not be challenged to grow spiritually; I was there at the start of this trip. To be honest, I did not enjoy to be challenged nor did I desire to be put out of my comfort zone of faith. But having my eyes opened by the Lord through the community here has allowed me to grow spiritually and go deeper in the calling the Lord has placed on my life. Seeing the dedication of the missionaries, student leaders, and the students of Contacto Universitario has been an extreme blessing to me. The discipleship, community, and love of God that they live out has challenged me and has also been a great example to teach me of these important principles as a follower of Jesus.
The Lord is moving greatly and doing awesome works in Argentina and I am filled with thankfulness to have witnessed it. From seeing the dedication of the community here to the fruits of prayer through evangelism, God is working greatly in Argentina and in the lives of the individuals here. They have become my family and to have been able to serve with them has been an inexpressible blessing from the Lord. My heart is filled with gratitude and excitement because of what the Lord has done, is doing, and will do in Argentina.
I can say without doubt that the Lord has changed me and has given me more direction regarding my faith."
What a joy to see the students we have worked with here in Argentina touch the lives of others. Thanks for partnering with us in reaching and equipping the next generation of leaders today.
Training Pastors and church leaders
08/30/09 21:05
Training Pastors and church leaders
We had the privilege of teaching a 16 hour intensive course at one of our Assemblies of God Bible schools, “Instituto Biblico Mediterraneo” in Cordoba this past weekend.
"The course has challenged me and has given me a greater hunger for the correct understanding and teaching of the Scriptures in order to form other biblical teachers. Thanks for your love." Cristina Raquel Gaitan
What a blessing for us to help in the formation of tomorrow’s church leaders.
We had the privilege of teaching a 16 hour intensive course at one of our Assemblies of God Bible schools, “Instituto Biblico Mediterraneo” in Cordoba this past weekend.
- Gilbert taught on Human Relations & Conflict Resolution;
- Virginia taught on Ministry and the Spiritual Gifts
"The course has challenged me and has given me a greater hunger for the correct understanding and teaching of the Scriptures in order to form other biblical teachers. Thanks for your love." Cristina Raquel Gaitan
What a blessing for us to help in the formation of tomorrow’s church leaders.
Chi Alpha Sacramento Missions
08/28/09 22:16
Chi Alpha Missions Teams
Mid August we received a team of four from Chi Alpha Sacramento, two of them (David and Khumbo) had come on last year’s team and they liked it so much they came back again. Here is what they said about this year’s outreach:
"As the leader of the team I got to see some of what happens behind the scenes. I was very impressed with how much planning and coordination goes into having us come. ... I would recommend that any student who wants to learn and practice evangelizing on campus should come and work with these Argentine students. The students here want to see change on their campus and are very attuned to God’s Spirit in how to see change come about. I have no doubt that an outpouring of revival will come to the campuses of Argentina as long as the students continue to follow God’s guidance." (David Gallego)
Don’t underestimate the power of prayer!
08/20/09 16:21
Don’t underestimate the power of prayer!
Earlier this year we received a team of students from Vanguard University and they partnered with our students in prayer walks on our campuses. A few weeks ago we received another missions team from Sacramento and they partnered with us in contact evangelism on the same campuses. The response was amazing.
The Argentine students all remarked at the openness of those surveyed and their willingness to give their contact information. Those who had gone out to evangelize on previous missions teams that we have received said this “openness” was due directly to the prayer that was done by the team a month prior!
We have all read the scripture in 1 Corinthians 3:5-9 “I [Paul] planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.” This verse has become so real to us and our students as they have seen the power of Prayer and its affect on the university students--God makes things grow as we pray!
We are so thankful for your prayers for us and we know that God makes things grow because some water, some till the soil, some plant the seeds and God in time brings forth fruit. Don’t underestimate the power and importance of the time and effort you put into praying for us as your missionaries ... together we are seeing students reached and transformed. Praise the Lord!
Earlier this year we received a team of students from Vanguard University and they partnered with our students in prayer walks on our campuses. A few weeks ago we received another missions team from Sacramento and they partnered with us in contact evangelism on the same campuses. The response was amazing.
The Argentine students all remarked at the openness of those surveyed and their willingness to give their contact information. Those who had gone out to evangelize on previous missions teams that we have received said this “openness” was due directly to the prayer that was done by the team a month prior!
We have all read the scripture in 1 Corinthians 3:5-9 “I [Paul] planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.” This verse has become so real to us and our students as they have seen the power of Prayer and its affect on the university students--God makes things grow as we pray!
We are so thankful for your prayers for us and we know that God makes things grow because some water, some till the soil, some plant the seeds and God in time brings forth fruit. Don’t underestimate the power and importance of the time and effort you put into praying for us as your missionaries ... together we are seeing students reached and transformed. Praise the Lord!
Intense Ministry - Intense opposition
06/25/09 08:58
It seems that every time we are about to begin an intense ministry time, be that prepare for evangelism, preaching or mininstry in some way we receive intense opposition. This past week we have experienced so many random things yet each one causing emotional stress: our car broke down, our dog was sick, our central heating system broke and on the coldest day's of the year, Virginia and Sofia sick... As I said random events, yet all adding a bit of stress to our lives as we prepared to received a ministry team from the US to help us evangelize the universities.
The hardest though is when one of us gets sick.
Pray for healing and health:
Here is Sofia in the bath tub in the early hours of the morning as we try to bring down her fever. She looks great but she had a fever of 102! She continued with a fever most of the day yesterday, even with medication, pray that the fever diminishes and that it won't progress to anything more serious than a common cold. Pray God heals her today.
Virginia has also been battling a cold or flu and yesterday began with a fever as well. She had to travel to Buenos Aires last week by public transportation and we have many cases of Swine flu in the country - pray that this flu/cold/fever will be nothing more than a common cold as well. She needs healing and physical strength, please pray.
Upcoming National Ministry Retreat
06/25/09 07:50
Theme: The Passion of God - A Passion for God
We met with 
some students yesterday in our home to finalize some deatils for our national retreat in August and together we came away with a sense of expectation and anticipation at what God will do in these days. I write this to you to ask if you would begin praying with us for this event.
1. Attendance: pray that students from various parts of the country would attend. Pray that their churches would help them with the financial aspect of the retreat costs.
2. Presence: Our theme is the Passion of God and with that an emphasize on what God loves - missions. Pray with us that as we come together on Aug 14th that we would sense the presence of God in such a tangible way that those who attend would be transformed and empowered to live out their passion for God upon leaving the retreat site.
3. Logistics: As in any conference pray that we would experienc God's grace in working out the logistical side of the event.
4. Finances: Would you consider sponsering a student to this retreat? For $75 you can help cover the whole retreat costs for one student to attend. If you are interested in helping with a whole scholarship or partial scholarship please send us an email and we can let you know how you can send in your gift.
Vanguard University Missions Team in Argentina
06/24/09 08:00
We will be receiving a group of 5 from Vanguard University today who will be with us for the next two weeks to help us in reaching our campuses. Pray for our Argentine students and the Vanguard team to be guided by the Spirit as they walk the unversities and share Christ with students. Pray for health as they face a cold winter in our country and pray for safety as they move around our city. We are so thankful for the Vanguard University in sending us their students to partner with us in reaching Argentine universities. Pray for a lasting impact on our campus and the local church.
Training Continues
06/12/09 13:10
This weekend we have two events that we hope will impact the lives of many students.
Our monthly training events "Equipando Facilitadores" contines this Saturday (June 13) with a special guest speaker who will challenge the students to live their lives to the fullest during their adacemic years.
The second event is a training of students and pastors but in the Dominican Republic. Gilbert will be there (June 12-14) and will be teaching a couple of workshops to students, pastors and church leaders who are interested in establishing university ministry through the local church. It is a great privilege to be a part of extending the vision for university ministry to other Latin American countries. Pray with us that it will be a fruitfull trip.
AIYS - Philippines
05/18/09 09:32
We made it to the Philippines!
After three days of travel we made it to the conference site in Baguio, Philippines. We are tired but glad to be able to participate in this years AIYS. What is AIYS?
It is Asian Institute of Youth Studies (AIYS) sponsored by Asia Pacific Campus Challenge in partnership with the Asia Pacific Theological Seminary. It is a regional youth and student ministry training targeting the national youth leadership teams from nations across the Asia Pacific region including - Mongolia, Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Fiji.
It is an honor and privilege to b
e able to be a part of the equipping of these national youth leadership teams. Will you pray for us and those attending as we being the conference on Tuesday (May 19th).
- Pray for our health and strength, that we would quickly overcome any jetlag and that we would remain healthy.
- Pray for wisdom and anointing,for sensitive ears to hear the leading of the Holy Spirit as we teach.
- Pray for Sofia to have a powerful experience in Christ as we teach and minister.
We will let you know how things are progressing.
The Latest Newsletter
05/03/09 21:02
Preaching the whole counsel of God
"It is not enough for the priest and ministers of the future to be moral people, well trained, eager to help their fellow humans, and able to respond creatively to the burning issues of their time. All of that is very valuable and important, but it is not the heart of Christian Leadership. The central question is, are the leaders of the future truly men and women of God, people with an ardent desire to dwell in God's presence, to listen to God's voice, to look at God's beauty, to touch God's incarnate Word and to taste fully God's infinite goodness?" Henri Nouwan 
We so appreciate your partnership in preparing ministers in the marketplace as well as the local church here in Argentina and we wanted you to know that we have posted our recent newsletter (Spring 2009). Click here to download it, read it and share it with others.
Update - Special Prayer Request
04/02/09 23:33
Thanks for your prayers - It has been over a week and nothing out of the ordinary at our home. Thanks for interceding and asking God to keep us safe as we come and go from our home.
Safe in the hands of God
03/24/09 21:46
Would you pray for God’s hands of protection to be over us and our home. Today was the third instance in this past month, that we have had someone ring our door bell and after attending to the ring, there was no one there. Most homes in Argentina have a system on the front door that they can attend to whomever knocks from the inside. Our door is like that so we can ask who is at the door via a phone inside the house. So we attend to the door bell to ask who is there and no one! Odd. Yes.
The oddest thing is that when I (Gilbert) left the house today with the car, someone came within 5 minutes to ring the door bell to see if anyone was home. Every time Virginia asked who was there, no response. This happened for some time. It could be our imagination or a kid playing a trick on us, but we have some construction on our block and I think we have been spied on. When they saw the car leave we are assuming that someone was wondering if the house was left empty and alone!!
Will you pray for us and our safety as we live and serve here in the country. Pray for our coming and our going either walking or driving. Pray for God’s protection over our lives and what He has entrusted to us to use.
Secondly, would you pray for Sofia who is battling a cough and the common cold. She has begun the morning school program here in our city and has caught a cold. Pray for a quick recovery.
The oddest thing is that when I (Gilbert) left the house today with the car, someone came within 5 minutes to ring the door bell to see if anyone was home. Every time Virginia asked who was there, no response. This happened for some time. It could be our imagination or a kid playing a trick on us, but we have some construction on our block and I think we have been spied on. When they saw the car leave we are assuming that someone was wondering if the house was left empty and alone!!
Will you pray for us and our safety as we live and serve here in the country. Pray for our coming and our going either walking or driving. Pray for God’s protection over our lives and what He has entrusted to us to use.
Secondly, would you pray for Sofia who is battling a cough and the common cold. She has begun the morning school program here in our city and has caught a cold. Pray for a quick recovery.
Equipping Students - Update
03/15/09 17:08
Equipando Facilitadores
raison d’être
The reason for our existence is what we covered in this seminar, defining from an aerial view of 40,000 meters our vision/mission; 30,000 meters our values/ pillars... down to our areas of responsibilities in our day to day activities. It was very interactive and eye opening for our students to see the big picture of our ministry as a resource to the local church.
Students came from La Matanza, La Plata and the newest forming group in Rosario, which is about 4 hours away by bus. Will you pray for Jorge C. (the young man who came from Rosario)? Pray for favor with the leadership of his church; pray for resources; pray for other students to catch the vision for university student ministry; and pray for wisdom.
We will be having one training seminar per month - the next one is April 18th. Thanks for your prayers for yesterday’s seminar - we arrived and immediately experienced “distractions and interference.” There was no power in the house, and I was going to use power point! We went to the back yard and set up table even though it was hot and muggy. 15 minutes later we had thunder, lighting and rain! We prayed. You prayed. God answered and we had an amazing time!
Equipping Student Leaders
03/13/09 22:51
Tomorrow (March 14, 2009) afternoon we will begin our equipping seminars for student leaders. Our work with the local church here in Argentina means that we are a resource to the church to train its students to do the job of the campus pastor. We invest in them and they disciple, evangelize, and build community that extends itself to the university campus.
Pray with us for this student gathering. Pray for a great attendance and pray for receptive hearts.
Pray for Argentina
03/11/09 20:17
Yesterday, we were reading the Argentine paper online (La Nacion) and saw this video that shocked us at the rising cost of lunch in Buenos Aires! You can view it but if you don’t understand Spanish let me summarize. The country is struggling internally between the government and the farmers and the effect is seen by the people in their day to day activity. The video cites that the price of lunch ranges from $30 pesos to $50 pesos. Argentines are struggling to make ends meet and when the price of a cup of coffee is $12 ($4 dollars), that is not included in lunch, it is amazing how they are surviving. One lady in the video says, “I eat crackers and water for lunch!”
Pray with us for God bring transformation to this nation by transforming the hearts of men. We know that tomorrow’s leaders are in our universities, pray with us that God would become the foundation of their lives so that when they get to positions of service they will lead justly and in a God fearing way.