salesman who introduced himself as Pablo Munoz, a route manager, who had been referred by another client. After they had taken care of their business, the question was, “So, what brings you to Chile?” Bill replied, “We are Baptist missionaries, planning to start a new church here in Santiago.” With that said, Bill handed him a Gospel tract with the simple title, How to Be Saved. Pablo looked at the tract, a little surprised, and responded enthusiastically, “I am saved.” He then told of his conversion and faith in Christ. That improbable encounter in a city of six million people was the beginning of a great friendship between the two families. Pablo, wife Miriam, and family have since become a part of the church planting team. I recently sat down with Pablo and


A


asked a few questions about life, work, and vision for their new church in Santiago.


knock came at the door of the Gibson’s apartment in Santiago, Chile. It was a bottled water


You have said that Bill and Jeannette


made a big impact on your life. How is that? Oh, yes, a huge difference. Before, I


thought of discipleship as just a lesson or two. You got saved and went to church, that was about it. Bill has taught me that although conversion is immediate upon believing in Christ, spiritual maturity is a lifelong process. We all need someone by our side – guiding, leading, and encouraging. I had never had that relationship with anyone before, and as a result, I didn’t know how to do it with others. This relationship that we have grown to know, loving one another in Christ, is palpable, tangible. Through the training that Bill,


Jeannette, and others from BMAA Missions have provided, we are learning to work as a team. Teamwork requires a plan. Yes, as simple as it sounds, having a plan and a well defined vision has made all the difference in the world. We have heard repeatedly, “Plan your work and work your plan.” When you


escue R in


8 theGLEANER n January/February 2011


A church plant in Santiago is aided by a committed local who seeks to rescue his fellow Chileans from deep spiritual darkness


work by yourself, you tend to improvise, just let things happen. We are learning to plan well and at the same time know that the Christ is Lord in all that we do. That has been so refreshing for me to know that it is His work and not mine. What is the spiritual climate in Chile?


The country has been in the news a lot in 2010 due to the earthquake and the trapped miners, so we have come to know more about you as a nation. The large majority would say that they are Catholic, but that is very nominal. In


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