regarded by other churches and political leaders,” the convention leader said, while thanking the BWA and Baptists from
Argentina, Spain, the United States and other countries for their contributions.
The ministry in the earthquake zones also opened up opportunities for church planting and other forms of mission
endeavors. Whereas there was only one church and two missions in the affected areas before the quake, there are now 12
missions or church plants that are expected to become churches sometime in the future.
The lesson of ministering to earthquake victims has spurred relief efforts in other areas and instances. Baptists are
working in northern Peru, which was affected by flooding, offering relief supplies and clothing to affected families. There
is now an evangelism program for preschool children who live in poverty-stricken areas, as well as an outreach ministry to
communities to counter child abuse.
There is a special emphasis on the Amazon region of the country, which, following Brazil, has the next largest share of
the famous Amazon rainforest. The effort is spurred by the fact that there are only five trained pastors in the Amazon area,
as most pastors are concentrated in the coastal areas of Peru. An institute is being established this year with the specific
intent to train pastors to work with people in the Amazon, particularly in ecology and the environment and in education. The
program is oversubscribed, with approximately 150 persons on the waiting list. The aim is to train 400 persons in the next
three years to work in the mountains and jungles of the Amazon.
According to Flores, this is new to the BECP. Involvement in social ministry “was almost totally neglected” by Baptists
in Peru, he said, but with the earthquake, “the social action of the convention gained strength.”
There was a time, 10 to 15 years ago, when the convention and its churches struggled to find their footing and to have
an identity. This crisis coincided with the withdrawal of support by the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist
Convention in the United States. Flores said many young people and even pastors “left Baptist churches and went to other
groups.” There is, consequently, “a generational leadership void” among Baptists in the country. Statistics show that most
Baptists are between 40 and 60 years old and there are not many in the 20-40 age group.
During this period, churches were not growing, and unity was weak. Disillusionment had set in, as local churches
complained that they were being neglected by convention leaders. Financial contribution to the convention from churches,
already poor, as historically only half of the churches sent money to the convention, got even worse.
“All this led us to realize that it was time to turn back to God,” Flores explained. There has been, over the past two years,
an emphasis on prayer and fasting. Convention leaders started visiting local churches, asking forgiveness for their neglect.
There is now a renewed emphasis on home mission, as well as the development of a world mission strategy.
BECP has developed “Radical Peru,” a program that replicates that which is being done through the Union of Baptists
in Latin America, the Baptist regional body for Latin America, in reaching and recruiting youth for mission. As a result,
“Baptist youth in Peru have a new identity.”
All of these efforts are a fleshing out of four strategic initiatives adopted by the convention – the training of pastors,
mission, strengthening fellowship through strengthening churches and regional associations, and meeting the needs of and
becoming relevant to the local church.
Since these initiatives and the attendant actions, the Baptist convention “has come to a new time.” Reconnection with the
local churches “has led to a revival of churches.… Churches are growing” and are “giving to mission work,” Flores stated.
Annual assemblies, which were often “occasions for battle,” are now celebratory events. The 2009 assembly, Flores
said, was very emotional with much prayer and crying and a strong spirit of togetherness. They were able to approve a new
constitution for the convention, an issue that was left outstanding for 15 years.
There is however, one great need. Flores is a full-time pastor of a congregation in Lima, and he has no administrative
support. Since the exit of the IMB, there has not been a general secretary for the convention as such a role was normally carried
out by one of the American missionaries. Flores’ position as convention president with no administrative support has taken
him away from his church and family many times. He hopes that the position of general secretary will be filled soon.
By the look of things, however, Baptists in Peru have gained not only reputation, but a strong presence in the nation which
comprises 45 percent Amerindian and 37 percent Mestizo, people of mixed Amerindian and European ancestry. Baptists
have contributed to the strong growth of Evangelical Christians in the country, one of the fastest growing segments of the
population of 29 million people.
PHOTO: Children at the House of God Evangelical Baptist Church in Lima, Peru, whose pastor is Pepe Flores, president of the Baptist Evangelical
Convention of Peru
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