The N
of
ew Faces
M
issions
■ by Elizabeth Giron American continent. Their support since the beginning of the twentieth
comes from Church of God congrega- century. Historians trace it to 1914,
T
EN YEARS AGO, on the first tions in Central and South America, the when Brazil sent the first mission-
day of a short mission trip to Caribbean, and Spanish territories in ary. However, the turning point
India, Paola bought a sari outfit the United States. for mission mobilization came in
and sandals. Fascinated by the These missionaries feel their physi- 1987 when, at the first COMIBAM
colorful garments, she wanted to blend cal traits and non-Western backgrounds missions conference in Sao Paulo,
in with the people. Because of her give them a great advantage over other Brazil, Luis Bush declared that Latin
unique features, she resembled many of missionaries in Hindu, Muslim, and America was no longer a mission
the Indian women. Although she was Buddhist countries. For about eight cen- field, but “a missions force.” A grass-
Argentinean, nearly everyone assumed turies, the Arab roots missionary movement began to
she was a Hindu from India. She did Muslims occupied emerge, challenging pastors, churches,
not then realize that India would Spain, profoundly and especially young people to assume
become her home for many years. influencing the responsibility for evangelizing the
Otoniel’s Mayan background has Spanish culture world. Today, over 9,000 missionaries
given him an advantage over other mis- and language, from Latin America work in foreign
sionaries in central Asia. His features which were later countries including more than 1,000 in
are much like those of his host country. brought to Latin Muslim countries.
Soon after graduating as an electrical America by the Spanish conquerors.
engineer, God called him to join the Many believe that God has especially
A Sending Church
growing missionary movement emerg- chosen Latinos to reach Muslims. A zeal for missions was sown by the
ing in Latin America. Raised in the missionaries that established the Church
mountains of Guatemala, he and his
A Monumental Shift
of God in Latin America. As early as
family consider it a privilege to work The Christian missions move- the 1950s, a number of Latin American
among Muslims in central Asia. ment over the past three decades leaders were appointed by World Mis-
Celia’s dark complexion and Portu- has gone through a monumental sions to work cross-culturally within
guese language facilitates her ministry shift. As missiologist Larry D. Pate the continent. However, the missionary
in Mozambique. Born and raised in observed, “The feet of those who spirit started to flourish in churches after
Brazil, she has served the church in bring good news are rapidly chang- the first COMIBAM conference. A great
Africa for five years. A few months ago, ing color. New streams of brown, awakening was taking place; national
Maria, another missionary from Brazil, black, yellow, and red feet are join- and regional missions conferences were
arrived in Mozambique to join Celia in ing with the white to proclaim the held all over the continent.
her work. salvation message.” Thousands of Intercession took a dominant role in
missionaries from Asia and Africa are this movement. During a prayer meeting
A God-Given Advantage
working all over the world. Koreans and in Argentina, the Holy Spirit whispered a
Paola, Otoniel, Celia, and Maria are Filipinos work among expatriates as well word to a medical doctor a word he had
a few of the growing number of Church as nationals in many countries. The never heard before. After researching, he
of God Latino missionaries working largest evangelical church in Ukraine, discovered that what he heard was the
in the least Christianized areas of the with more than 8,000 people, is led by name of a city in northern Africa. Sup-
world. Some 25 couples, 20 single an African preacher from Nigeria. ported by his local church in partnership
women, and a few single men minister Latin America has not been an with churches in the United States, he
in Africa, Asia, Europe, and among the exception; the missionary spirit has established a medical clinic to serve the
least reached groups within the Latin been present throughout the continent large Muslim community in that city.
10 EVANGEL • JAN 2010
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