Project in Peru

My job has changed in the last six months to include JESUS Film Distribution representative. The JESUS Film is a 2 hour film on the life of Christ that has been translated into more than 950 languages. I had a great week last week in Peru last week helping to get the JESUS Film Quechua project off the ground.

Our first major hurdle for the Quechua project is personnel. To accomplish the goals of the project, i.e. to effectively reach a people group and assure the beginning of a real movement of multiplication and church planting, we need the right man to direct the project.

Both our national director, Jorge Mariaka, and our AOA Director, Rolando Justiniano, have recommended Carlos Olando. I first met Carlos 10 years ago in Colorado. He and his wife joined CCC staff about 20 years ago. He is very effective in building networks of pastors. He is very relational, and a real pleasure to work with.

Last week Carlos and I traveled to Ayacucho and Huanta in the interior of Peru to get a feel for the project. We met with several pastors in both places. They were all excited about the project and the possibility of equipping pastors and church leaders to expand the ministry.

Carlos will come to Bolivia in early January for 10 days of intensive training in the new church planting and multiplication strategy we are using. While he is here we will work on a strategic plan that will include to main objectives:

1. Saturation. This aspect of the plan will use the JESUS Film in partnership with churches to saturate the area with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

2. Pastoral equipping. The majority of pastors have no formal training. Our process includes five week-long modules that equip them in:

-Evangelism and Multiplication
-Bible Study Methods
-Building a disciple-making church
-Developing Leaders and launching disciple-making ministries
-Managing and multiplying disciple-making churches.


I also talked at length with a young Quechua man, Isaias, who works with the JESUS Film project. Isaias grew up in the Amazon area of Peru and has been on his own, away from his parents since he was eight. He has finished high school and a year in a technical institute. His dream is to become a pastor. I think he will play a key part in the plan to reach the Quechua people.

Prayer requests:
Pray for Carlos as he begins work on the project.
Pray for God’s wisdom as we work out the target population. There are many sub-groups of Quechua peoples.
Pray for a productive time planning and training in January.

Have a Merry Christmas!

Ron