“Sed sobrios, y velad; porque vuestro adversario el diablo, como león rugiente, anda alrededor buscando a quien devorar; al cual resistid firmes en la fe, sabiendo que los mismos padecimientos se van cumpliendo en vuestros hermanos en todo el mundo” (1 Pedro 5:8-9).
Desde el 17 de Setiembre al 18 de Octubre 2010 estuve en Florida y Michigan junto a mi amigo, Tim Chapman. El propósito del viaje fue la presentación del ministerio de campamentos y cómo el mismo es de utilidad para el nuevo tiempo misionero que se está viviendo en Perú. Visitamos en total 8 iglesias bautistas juntos. Yo visité una iglesia bautista más solo.
Mi amigo Tim Chapman escribió unas líneas respecto a nuestra experiencia juntos:
“Tuve el privilegio de estar con mi amigo Segundo Rodríguez por 3 semanas el mes pasado. Visitamos 8 iglesias juntos. Todos los cultos donde estuvimos fueron grandiosos. Él predicó varias veces y también compartió su testimonio de salvación. Segundo fue guiado a Cristo por un misionero norteamericano, y al compartir esto, él animaría a las congregaciones a continuar ofrendando, sabiendo que Dios da fruto de la labor de los misioneros. Segundo hizo buena conexión con las iglesias donde estuvimos. Su inglés está mejorando, y aunque él no predica en inglés todavía, es capaz de comunicarse en conversaciones casuales. Pienso que las iglesias fueron animadas y desafiadas por el tiempo que pasaron conociendo a Segundo, y creo que el ministerio de Segundo aquí en los Estados Unidos el mes pasado traerá mucho fruto para la eternidad.”
Por mi parte, tengo algunas conclusiones respecto a mi corto ministerio en este tan grande y desarrollado país:
1. Los cristianos de USA que he conocido en mis viajes son personas con necesidades espirituales similares a las que tenemos en Perú. Desde luego, la calidad de vida en ellos, desde el punto de vista económico y logístico, es mayor que la de nosotros. Empero, las cargas emocionales y espirituales, así como la batalla para ser fieles y servir mejor a nuestro Señor y al reino de Dios son iguales aquí y allá.
2. La hospitalidad y la amabilidad de los cristianos de USA que he conocido son admirables. Se puede ver su amor por Dios y por la gente a través de su hospitalidad y su disposición de servir al prójimo, que en este caso, he sido yo. Puedo decir, sin temor a equivocarme, que he conocido a la mejor gente de ese país.
3. La visión, pasión y acción misionera de las iglesias de USA necesitan ser motivadas y acrecentadas. Todas las iglesias que visitamos ven la obra misionera como fundamental. Lo demuestran apoyando misioneros en distintas partes del mundo con sus oraciones y ofrendas. Las iglesias que visitamos, no eran iglesias grandes de ciudades grandes; tampoco eran iglesias de personas ricas: eran iglesias pequeñas, de pueblos pequeños, y de economía de gente normal, pero aún así, su amor por la obra misionera es grande y me impresionó sobremanera. Pienso que el accionar misionero es la más grande contribución que estás iglesias están haciendo al mundo y al reino de Dios. El esfuerzo misionero de esta iglesias puede ser debilitado y apagado por el secularismo y el materialismo que son crecientes. Es por eso que pienso que se debe motivar y acrecentar la visión, pasión y acción misionera de los pastores y las iglesias de USA. Los buenos misioneros son claves en esto. Cuando digo los buenos misioneros, me refiero específicamente a los misioneros que visitan las iglesias buscando las almas de las personas, no sus bienes; que ven a las iglesias y los cristianos como muy importantes para el avance del reino de Dios, no para el crecimiento de sus propios proyectos. En fin, me refiero a misioneros que tienen un celo por la gloria de Dios, la edificación de la iglesia y la salvación de los perdidos, antes que un celo por sí mismos y la obra que hacen.
4. Los cristianos de las iglesias de Norteamérica necesitan que el fruto de su esfuerzo misionero se les acerque, les visite y les ministre. Tengo este pensamiento a partir de que una familia se emocionó mucho con mi visita. La emoción fue más grande cuando supo que yo conocía a un misionero que había impactado su vida. Mostró esta emoción diciéndome: “déjame tocarte”. Muchos de los cristianos de USA conocen la obra misionera solamente por oír, por leer, por ver fotos y videos, o por ver a los misioneros que sus iglesias han enviado, pero nunca han visto directamente el fruto de sus oraciones y ofrendas. Desde luego, esto lo verán sin ninguna duda en el día final. Pero sería para ellos de gran estímulo ver el fruto de su esfuerzo misionero mientras están en esta tierra. Muchos de los cristianos que visitamos jamás han salido de su país y jamás saldrán de allí. Por eso, el contacto con los cristianos de otros países les dará un nuevo impulso, estimulará su amor por la obra misionera y alimentará su amor por Cristo y su reino. Esto será así en especial, si es que estos cristianos provienen de lugares en los que ellos han invertido oraciones y ofrendas y si es que estoy cristianos les ministran la palabra y muestran el gozo de ser hijos de Dios.
5. Los cristianos de los países que hemos sido bendecidos por el accionar misionero de las iglesias USA necesitamos ayudar espiritualmente a los cristianos de USA. Los cristianos de USA han enviado misioneros, han ofrendado dinero y han rogado por nosotros sin siquiera conocernos. Gracias a estas acciones, nosotros en Perú (y otros países) tenemos a Jesucristo, que es el tesoro más valioso que un ser humano puede tener. En USA está ocurriendo una batalla espiritual muy fuerte por la fe cristiana. He escuchado que algunos dicen que USA se formó como nación en base a la Biblia y sus enseñanzas. Yo no he estudiado la historia de ese país y no puedo verificar dicha información. Empero, lo que sí puedo decir es que los cristianos de allí necesitan de nuestra ayuda espiritual. Necesitan que intercedamos por ellos porque el secularismo y el materialismo están creciendo enormemente en la vida de los cristianos de ese país. Está ocurriendo allá un enfriamiento espiritual similar al que ocurrió en países en los que el cristianismo antes fue fuerte y ahora es débil. Ahora nosotros debemos “ayudarles” con nuestras oraciones, con nuestras ofrendas, con el envío de misioneros y con todo lo que podamos. Debemos imitar en esto a la iglesia de Antioquía, que cuando supieron por una profecía de Agabo que habría una gran hambre en la tierra de Judea y otras partes, de inmediato enviaron ayuda a los hermanos que habitaban en esa zona. (Hechos 11:28-30).
6. Yo escuché que Dios usó a otros pastores peruanos para animar y desafiar a los cristianos en USA. Yo he visto que Dios me usó en la misma forma en las iglesias que Tim y yo visitamos. Debo reconocer que yo no habría sido útil de no haber sido por Tim, que fue quien tradujo la predicación del español al inglés. Tim y yo tenemos muchas afinidades espirituales y ministeriales. Nos comprendimos bien y pudimos animar y motivar a los cristianos que nos escucharon en la predicación, en las clases y en las conversaciones casuales. Estoy contento de haber sido útil a mis hermanos de USA. He sido útil al dar mi testimonio de salvación y servicio a Dios, al predicar y enseñar la Biblia, al conversar y al aconsejar. Siempre tengo ganas de volver y visitar a mis hermanos de allá para ministrar y compartir con ellos la bendición de ser cristianos y de servir a Jesucristo en su reino. Veremos qué es lo que Dios dispone al respecto. El año que viene debo renovar mi visa y si es que Dios lo quiere y la visa es renovada, volveré; si no es así, acompañaré y ayudaré espiritualmente a mis hermanos de USA desde mi propio lugar, que será el que Dios ha determinado para mí y mi familia.
Estas son las iglesias que Tim y yo visitamos: Central Florida Bible Church, Orlando, Florida; Gospel Baptist Church, Bonita Springs, Florida; Calvary Baptist Church, Midland, Michigan; Skidway Lake Baptist Church, Skidway Lake, Michigan; Northern Michigan Baptist Bible Church, Burt Lake, Michigan; Hope Baptist Church, Hope, Michigan; McBain Baptist Church, McBain, Michigan; Heritage Baptist Church, Titusville, Florida.
Este es mi testimonio, para la Gloria de Dios. Lo he escrito en agradecimiento a Dios y a los pastores e iglesias que abrieron sus corazones a mi visita. Han sido de gran estímulo para mi vida espiritual. Lo he escrito, también, para animar en su andar con Cristo a todo aquel que lo lea.
Con amor,
Segundo
martes, 26 de octubre de 2010
My testimony of my ministerial trip to the USA
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (1 Peter 5:8-9).
Since September 17 to October 18 I was in Florida and Michigan with my friend Tim Chapman. The purpose of my trip was to share how the ministry of camps is useful in the new mission time happening in Peru. We visited 8 churches.
My friend Tim Chapman wrote some lines about our experience together:
“I had the privilege of having my good friend, Segundo Rodriguez, with me for 3 weeks this past month. We visited 8 churches together while he was with us. All of our meetings with Segundo were great. He preached several times and also shared his testimony of salvation. Segundo was led to the Lord by an American missionary, and in sharing this, he would encourage the believers to continue to give to missions knowing that God gives fruit from the labor of missionaries. Segundo connected very well with the churches we were in. His English has improved, and even though he doesn’t preach yet in English, he is able to communicate in casual conversations in English fairly well. I think the churches were encouraged and challenged by the time spent getting to know Segundo, and I believe Segundo’s ministry here in the States last month will bear much eternal fruit.”
On my side, I wrote this conclusion about my short ministry in the USA:
1. Christians I met in my trips to the USA are people with same spiritual needs than Christians in Peru. Of course, the economical and technological status is highly different than ours; however, the emotional and spiritual struggles, and the battles to be faithful servants of God, are the same here and there.
2. Hospitality and kindness from American Christians are amazing. I could see their love to God and to people. I can say, with no fear to be wrong, that I met the best people from the USA.
3. Churches in the USA need encouragement and growth in their vision, passion and missionary action. All churches we visited see missions as foundational; and they support missionaries in several areas of the world by prayers and offerings. Churches we visited are not large churches in large cities, there were not wealthy people in them; they were small churches in small towns, with average economy. Even so, their love to God and His mission was amazing to me. I think the missionary work those churches are doing is their highest contribution to the world and to the work of God in this world. Their missionary efforts could decrease by growing secularism and materialism. This is why I think missionary vision, passion, and action, must be stimulated. Pastors and churches must be encouraged to keep going ahead in the Great Commission. Good missionaries are critical for that encouragement. When I say “good missionaries” I am talking about missionaries who are looking people, not people’s belongings. Missionaries who are involving churches to glorify God by extending His Church, and not focused on personal projects. I mean, missionaries with zeal for God, His glory, His Church, and for salvation of lost people, more than zeal for themselves and their agenda.
4. Christians from American churches need that fruits of their missionary efforts be near them, visiting and ministering them. I think it because a Missionary family was very excited with my visit. Excitement was so great when they knew that I had met a missionary who caused spiritual impact in their lives; even they said: “let me touch you”. Many Christians in the USA know their Missionary work overseas only by hearing, reading, watching photos & videos, or seeing Missionaries that their church supports; but they never have seen with their eyes the fruit of their prayers and offerings. Of course, those fruits will be seen in Heaven; but it will be a great encouragement to see the fruit of their missionary efforts while they are on earth. Many Christians we visited this time have never been overseas, and maybe most of them will not be in mission fields ever. This is why I think that direct relationship with believers from other countries will be a potent stimulus. That contact will increase their love for the missions, Christ and His Church. It will be wonderful that Christians from mission fields, where American churches invested prayers and offerings, visit them to teach the Word and show the joy of being Children of God.
5. Christians from countries blessed by missionary efforts of American churches must spiritually help Christians in the USA. American Christians have sent missionaries, prayed and sent offerings with no knowledge of us. Thank to those actions we in Peru (and other countries) have Jesus, which is the most valuable treasure to have. It is happening in the USA a terrible spiritual battle for the Christian faith. I heard some people say that the USA was formed on Biblical teachings. I did not study the history of the USA and I can’t say if it is true; but I can say that Christians in America need our spiritual help. They need we pray on their behalf because secularism and materialism are growing in colossal levels in Christians up there. It is happening in the USA some kind of spiritual coldness similar to countries which used to be strong in Christian faith. Now, we have to “help” with our prayers, offerings, sending missionaries, and all what we can do. We should be imitators of Antioch Church. When they heard from Agabus about a “great dearth throughout all the world”, they sent help to brethren in Judaea. (Acts 11:28-30).
6. I heard God used other Peruvian preachers to encourage and challenge Christians in the USA. I have seen how God used me in the same way in churches which Tim and I visited. I recognize God used Tim to make me useful in His hands; Tim interpreted my messages into English. Tim and I have many similarities in spiritual and ministerial areas. We can communicate well each other, and God used us to encourage and stimulate Christians while preaching or casually talking. I am happy of being used by God to help my brethren in the USA. I shared my testimony of salvation, how God led me into His service; God used me as I preached, gave advices, taught the Bible; even when I just talked. I would enjoy going back to the USA to visit my brethren, serve them and share with them the great blessing to be Christians serving Jesus Christ. I will see what God does in regard to that desire. On next year, I must go the US Consulate to re-new my visa; if God wants it, and I get my new visa, I will go again to the USA. If not, I will help to my American brethren from my place, the place God designed for me and my family.
These are the Churches Tim and I visited: Central Florida Bible Church, Orlando, Florida; Gospel Baptist Church, Bonita Springs, Florida; Calvary Baptist Church, Midland, Michigan; Skidway Lake Baptist Church, Skidway Lake, Michigan; Northern Michigan Baptist Bible Church, Burt Lake, Michigan; Hope Baptist Church, Hope, Michigan; McBain Baptist Church, McBain, Michigan; Heritage Baptist Church, Titusville, Florida.
This is my testimony to the glory of God. I wrote it in thankfulness to God and pastors and churches that opened their hearts during my trip. They are a great encouragement for my spiritual life. I wrote it also to encourage every reader.
With love,
Segundo
Since September 17 to October 18 I was in Florida and Michigan with my friend Tim Chapman. The purpose of my trip was to share how the ministry of camps is useful in the new mission time happening in Peru. We visited 8 churches.
My friend Tim Chapman wrote some lines about our experience together:
“I had the privilege of having my good friend, Segundo Rodriguez, with me for 3 weeks this past month. We visited 8 churches together while he was with us. All of our meetings with Segundo were great. He preached several times and also shared his testimony of salvation. Segundo was led to the Lord by an American missionary, and in sharing this, he would encourage the believers to continue to give to missions knowing that God gives fruit from the labor of missionaries. Segundo connected very well with the churches we were in. His English has improved, and even though he doesn’t preach yet in English, he is able to communicate in casual conversations in English fairly well. I think the churches were encouraged and challenged by the time spent getting to know Segundo, and I believe Segundo’s ministry here in the States last month will bear much eternal fruit.”
On my side, I wrote this conclusion about my short ministry in the USA:
1. Christians I met in my trips to the USA are people with same spiritual needs than Christians in Peru. Of course, the economical and technological status is highly different than ours; however, the emotional and spiritual struggles, and the battles to be faithful servants of God, are the same here and there.
2. Hospitality and kindness from American Christians are amazing. I could see their love to God and to people. I can say, with no fear to be wrong, that I met the best people from the USA.
3. Churches in the USA need encouragement and growth in their vision, passion and missionary action. All churches we visited see missions as foundational; and they support missionaries in several areas of the world by prayers and offerings. Churches we visited are not large churches in large cities, there were not wealthy people in them; they were small churches in small towns, with average economy. Even so, their love to God and His mission was amazing to me. I think the missionary work those churches are doing is their highest contribution to the world and to the work of God in this world. Their missionary efforts could decrease by growing secularism and materialism. This is why I think missionary vision, passion, and action, must be stimulated. Pastors and churches must be encouraged to keep going ahead in the Great Commission. Good missionaries are critical for that encouragement. When I say “good missionaries” I am talking about missionaries who are looking people, not people’s belongings. Missionaries who are involving churches to glorify God by extending His Church, and not focused on personal projects. I mean, missionaries with zeal for God, His glory, His Church, and for salvation of lost people, more than zeal for themselves and their agenda.
4. Christians from American churches need that fruits of their missionary efforts be near them, visiting and ministering them. I think it because a Missionary family was very excited with my visit. Excitement was so great when they knew that I had met a missionary who caused spiritual impact in their lives; even they said: “let me touch you”. Many Christians in the USA know their Missionary work overseas only by hearing, reading, watching photos & videos, or seeing Missionaries that their church supports; but they never have seen with their eyes the fruit of their prayers and offerings. Of course, those fruits will be seen in Heaven; but it will be a great encouragement to see the fruit of their missionary efforts while they are on earth. Many Christians we visited this time have never been overseas, and maybe most of them will not be in mission fields ever. This is why I think that direct relationship with believers from other countries will be a potent stimulus. That contact will increase their love for the missions, Christ and His Church. It will be wonderful that Christians from mission fields, where American churches invested prayers and offerings, visit them to teach the Word and show the joy of being Children of God.
5. Christians from countries blessed by missionary efforts of American churches must spiritually help Christians in the USA. American Christians have sent missionaries, prayed and sent offerings with no knowledge of us. Thank to those actions we in Peru (and other countries) have Jesus, which is the most valuable treasure to have. It is happening in the USA a terrible spiritual battle for the Christian faith. I heard some people say that the USA was formed on Biblical teachings. I did not study the history of the USA and I can’t say if it is true; but I can say that Christians in America need our spiritual help. They need we pray on their behalf because secularism and materialism are growing in colossal levels in Christians up there. It is happening in the USA some kind of spiritual coldness similar to countries which used to be strong in Christian faith. Now, we have to “help” with our prayers, offerings, sending missionaries, and all what we can do. We should be imitators of Antioch Church. When they heard from Agabus about a “great dearth throughout all the world”, they sent help to brethren in Judaea. (Acts 11:28-30).
6. I heard God used other Peruvian preachers to encourage and challenge Christians in the USA. I have seen how God used me in the same way in churches which Tim and I visited. I recognize God used Tim to make me useful in His hands; Tim interpreted my messages into English. Tim and I have many similarities in spiritual and ministerial areas. We can communicate well each other, and God used us to encourage and stimulate Christians while preaching or casually talking. I am happy of being used by God to help my brethren in the USA. I shared my testimony of salvation, how God led me into His service; God used me as I preached, gave advices, taught the Bible; even when I just talked. I would enjoy going back to the USA to visit my brethren, serve them and share with them the great blessing to be Christians serving Jesus Christ. I will see what God does in regard to that desire. On next year, I must go the US Consulate to re-new my visa; if God wants it, and I get my new visa, I will go again to the USA. If not, I will help to my American brethren from my place, the place God designed for me and my family.
These are the Churches Tim and I visited: Central Florida Bible Church, Orlando, Florida; Gospel Baptist Church, Bonita Springs, Florida; Calvary Baptist Church, Midland, Michigan; Skidway Lake Baptist Church, Skidway Lake, Michigan; Northern Michigan Baptist Bible Church, Burt Lake, Michigan; Hope Baptist Church, Hope, Michigan; McBain Baptist Church, McBain, Michigan; Heritage Baptist Church, Titusville, Florida.
This is my testimony to the glory of God. I wrote it in thankfulness to God and pastors and churches that opened their hearts during my trip. They are a great encouragement for my spiritual life. I wrote it also to encourage every reader.
With love,
Segundo
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