My last trip to Requena - November 2013

Greetings and blessings for you and your families.  I pray God keep you firm, faithful, an growing in love for Christ and His kingdom. This is my report of my last trip of the year to Requena.

I went to Requena on November 18-23.  I traveled with Pastor David Rodriguez, who is pastoring in Trujillo, and he is my brother.  David taught “Missions, Evangelism and Discipleship” to 13 students.  I taught “The Book of Acts” to 10 students.  In total we had 23 students.

This time we had 5 students who already finished the ten courses of the program.  They received their certificates. 14 students are pastors, 3 are deacons, 5 are leaders of ministries, and 1is Sunday School teacher. Students came from Requena, Requenilla, Sinchi Roca, Iquitos, San Vicente, Nuevo Bagazán y Flor de Punga.

I already have the Schedule for 2014: April 8-12, August 5-8 y November 4-7.

The excitement of students is firm.  They want to go ahead studying, and I want to keep going.  On next year, I plan to provide new courses for those who have already finished the first ten.

Thank you very much for your support to God’s work in Requena and surrounding areas.  If the Lord provides and works in you to keep working together in Requena… we will go ahead.

May God richly bless you all.

Segundo

Remarkable news on September 2013

I am always glad sharing with you, who pray and care, what God is letting me do for Him. In this note I will emphasize two events: my participation in the MEBIP 2013 Missionary Conference, and the Baptist Seminary of Peru On-the-Job-Training Week.

MEBIP 2013 Missionary Conference

On September 4-7, Horeb Baptist Church hosted this Conference. I participated sent by my home Church with two tasks: to represent my Church, and request the privilege to host the 2014 Conference at La Esperanza Baptist Church in Trujillo. My time in Lima was a great blessing.  The Word of God edified and challenged me.  Fellowship with missionaries and pastors was an encouragement for me.

I came back to Trujillo with good news for my Church:  the General Assembly approved our Church to host the 2014 Conference. I also was joyful to meet in Lima with my good friend Tim Chapman and friends from Gethsemane Baptist Church.  I was part of that Church during three years when I lived in Lima.

Here I share some pictures of this MEBIP 2013 Missionary Conference:

Baptist Seminary of Peru On-The-Job-Training Week

This special week took place on September 16-22.  My job was to organize the teams and their trips. Professors, students and some pastors grouped in 27 teams worked in 27 areas of our country.  We preached, taught, evangelized, counseled, spoke at schools, and challenged congregations to serve the Lord in these areas: Tarma, Lima, Huaraz, Chiclayo, Piura, Paita, Sullana, Talara, Cajamarca, Tarapoto and Iquitos.

I went to Salamanca Baptist Church in Lima, which is pastored by Pastor Walter Espinoza. My team consisted of Maryori (First year student), Jefferson (Fourth year student), my wife, and Elena (my youngest child).

We were lovely hosted by people of the Church. Their kindness and generosity touched us; we could see how they appreciate servants of the Lord. I praise the Lord because of the work and discipleship of Pastor Espinoza. It is a missionary Church: they pray for missionaries, the give for missions, they do missionary trips, and evangelize people around them. The testimony of this Church encouraged me… and challenged me.

On evenings we sang, and preached the Word of God.  We were focused on youth people, but all the Church was involved. Praise the Lord we saw some professions of faith, for instance: George Andrew Ccencho Tumbalobos. I heard recently that George is attending to the Church. Praise the Lord for this permanent fruit.

Here I share some pictures of our ministry at Salamanca Baptist Church: 

Finally, on September I kept ministering at La Esperanza Baptist Church, and teaching at Baptist Seminary of Peru. I started to teach the book of Revelation at my Church. I finished my study notes on the book of Acts as I teach that book at the Seminary. 

God has been faithful keeping my family. Each day we see His mercy on us. He is using us in spite of our weaknesses. He is providing opportunities to serve Him. There is nothing better than to have the Lord God as our God.

Thank you very much for helping us with your prayers.

With love, 

Segundo Rodríguez

On last August there were three events that I have to emphasize.

First event: Calling a Pastor for La Esperanza Baptist Church.

As many of you know, my local church has no Pastor since February 2011.  Since that moment, part of my ministerial life was dedicated to pastor and manage the Church.

On July, during mi visit to the USA, our Church invited Pastor Juan Valderrama to visit us.  That time together was part of the process to know him better and, Lord willing, be our Pastor.  August 11 was the date appointed for voting on him.

Our business meeting was held on that date, and Pastor Juan Valderrama was called to be our Pastor.  When Pastor Valderrama was a child, he attended to our Church.  As a young person went to study at Baptist Seminary of Peru with recommendation of our Church.  After graduation, Pastor Valderrama was called to work with Pastor Enoc Principe at Bethel Baptist Church as Assistant Pastor.  Now, thanks to that election under God’s direction, he will come back to our Church and he will be our Pastor.   Lord willing, he will be installed as our Pastor on January 1 this coming 2014.

Second event:  Ministerial trip to Requena.  This time I traveled with Pastor Raul Vargas from Bible Baptist Church (Puente Piedra, Lima).  It was his first time in that area of Peru for Pastor Vargas.

During our visit we taught two courses. Pastor Vargas taught “History of the Church” to 14 people during 4 days.  On evenings, Pastor Vargas preached at Bethesda Baptist Church.  On my side, I taught “The Book of Revelation” to 7 people, who faithfully attended to learn the Word of God.

Pastor Vargas and I enjoyed so much that experience, serving together to our brothers.  This trip also was useful to know more each other and share our vision for ministry.

Pastor Raul Vargas came back to Lima with vision to start, Lord willing, centers of training similar to Requena Center in other Peruvian areas: Huanuco and Tingo Maria.  Let’s see how God bless this plan, and how my partners and I could help to run this plan.  Traveling and teaching with Pastor Vargas was a tremendous blessing to me.

Third event: Teaching the Book of Acts at Baptist Seminary of Peru.   This year, after several years, I restarted to teach Bible courses at this Seminary.  In the first semester I taught “Life of Christ” and “Daniel”.  This semester I am teaching “The Book of Acts”.

I taught “Acts” 14 years ago at Baptist Seminary of Peru.  On that time I could write material until chapter 12.  This year, I have the challenge to write material until chapter 28.  I am working on that goal.  Lord willing, at the end of September I have to finish my notes on that important book of the New Testament.  Please, help me by praying.

These are remarkable news on August.  Thank you very much for reading my update and for praying for me, for my family, and for the ministry God has given to me.

“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.”  (Col. 4:2-4).

My visit to the U.S. – July 2013

On July, the most relevant thing was my trip to the US.

I visited my friends at Hispanic Action Baptist Church, Miami.  I spent a wonderful time with Pastor Mario Rodriguez and Pastor Arodys Garcia.  Please pray for them; may God keep, encourage and use them in powerful ways to spread the gospel.  The Church in Miami is new, but it is growing.

I also was in Texas.  I visited several good friends.  I was in Dallas and Forth Worth, also in Wichita Falls.  Praise the Lord, Wichita Falls Baptist Church is a Church which supports my ministry with prayers and gifts.  I enjoyed fellowship with them.  I am blessed by them; they provided a very warm welcome.  Preaching to them was a great blessing to me; their attention to the Word encouraged me and showed to me their love to God and His Word.

Two important things in regard to Wichita Falls Baptist Church: 1) I met Pastor Lukus Love, who is now the new Pastor of the Church.  He is a young man with a great potential to serve God.  I beg may God bless and use this young servant and his family.  2) I was encouraged with Susan Stevens’ testimony.  She is a young girl in engagement with plans to be a missionary.   She said that our Lord touched her life for ministry when she was a teenager and I visited there.  Her words caused tremendous encouragement in my heart.

The last stage of my trip was Utah, specifically, I was in Salt Lake City, where Pastor Lukus Counterman and his family, making a team with other three servants & their families, are planting a church called Gospel Grace Church.  God is blessing their work with fruit.  They have a growing congregation over twelve months of work.

My time with Lukus and his co-workers reminded me about the four missionaries who were killed spreading the gospel in Ecuador rain forest.  Now, especially in large cities as Salt Lake City, there is no danger to be killed by preaching the gospel, but it is necessary the same courage and determination of those who died in Ecuador.

Praise the Lord, Pastor Lukus and his co-workers have that kind of resolution and bravery.   They really love Jesus and went to that city in obedience to their Lord to make true Disciples of Christ.  May God bless those modern and valiant missionaries in that metropolis.  May God produce abundant fruit for eternal life.

The Project of Lukus Counterman and his co-workers includes to plant several churches in Salt Lake City and around.  It is a good plan, I am sure God will be highly glorified with plenteous children of God and disciples of Christ.

You can know more about it visiting at:
http://www.plant4thegospel.com/

The Bible says: “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!!” (Romans 10:15). Lukus and his co-workers have beautiful feet because they are preaching peace through Christ to people in Salt Lake City.  May God richly bless that team of His servants!

You can watch a summary of the first year of Gospel Grace Church at:

http://vimeo.com/72666772

Update – May & June 2013 – Evangelist Segundo Rodriguez

Family. My wife is good partner. My children are growing and going ahead in their education and dedication to the Lord and His local church. We are not perfect, we are on our way I had joyful times because of my wife and children. My wife went with me to the rain forest and taught to the ladies. My son Noe played in a drama, and he acted gracefully. Andrew is learning to play guitar, and he is playing some songs. Elena is developing independence; she likes to spend time with other girls, and sometimes she looks like a small adult. I thank God for my family. They make my day, and help me to keep my feet on earth more often.

Ministry at local Church.  La Esperanza (Hope) Baptist Church is going through a critical time.  We are getting to know Pastor Juan Valderrama, who is candidate to be called as Pastor of the Church.  I spent several weeks teaching about Church’s responsibilities toward a Pastor.  Pastor Juan Valderrama will be ministering among us during all July.  Lord willing, the Church will meet on August 11 to make a decision about him.

Ministry at Baptist Seminary of Peru.  I help in this Seminary in two functions: Professor, and Director of Public Relations.  I am not satisfied with my performance; I think I could do more than I have done.  In Public Relations are I have the goal to involve more pastors and churches to be part of this ministry.  We depend on God, and on the support of churches & pastors; I know I could not improve that support.  I hope to do better in the following days.  As professor, in our second semester I will teach the book of Acts and Summary of Doctrine (an analytical course to fourth-year students).  I am working now in those courses.  I want to be a blessing to my students.

Ministry in other towns.  On May I traveled to Sullana city with a team from the Baptist Seminary of Peru.  We worked evangelizing, making disciples, and preaching at Divine Redeemer Baptist Church.  We went door to door, preached by open air services at streets, and taught at Church.  There were professions of faith.  On June I went to Sullana again to teach Hermeneutics and Homiletics to students at a Bible Institute of churches in that area.  On June, I also went to Santa Rosa, a rain forest town four hours from Tarapoto.  I went with my wife and other friends to teach and preach because of their anniversary.  In Santa Rosa there were several professions of faith in Christ; most of them were children.

Our Lord is using me; I thank Him for that.  I thank God for you who work “with me” by prayers and offerings.  May God richly bless you all always!!

Segundo Rodríguez

Noticias – Mayo & Junio 2013 – Evangelista Segundo Rodríguez

Familia. Mi esposa es una buena compañera. Mis hijos están creciendo y avanzando en su educación y en su compromiso con Dios y la iglesia local. No somos perfectos, estamos "en" camino. Este mes, he tenido momentos de gozo por mi esposa y mis hijos. Mi esposa fue conmigo a la selva y enseñó a las mujeres. Noé actuó en un drama que se presentó en la iglesia, lo hizo con soltura. Andrés está aprendiendo a tocar guitarra y entona algunas melodías. Elena es cada vez más independiente. Le gusta estar con sus amigas de la iglesia. Se conduce como una pequeña adulta. Agradezco a Dios por mi familia. Me alegran y ponen mis pies en la tierra muy seguido.

 

Leneida y yo junto al misionero Víctor Ato y a Eva, su esposa. ¡Listos para viajar a Santa Rosa!

Ministerio en mi Iglesia Local. La Iglesia Bautista La Esperanza está pasando un momento trascendental. Estamos conociendo al pastor Juan Valderrama, quien es candidato a ser pastor en nuestra iglesia. He pasado varias semanas enseñando sobre las responsabilidades que se asume al tener pastor. El pastor Juan Valderrama estará ministrando entre nosotros todo el mes de Julio. Dios mediante, la asamblea para en que decidiremos su elección será el 11 de Agosto.

Ministerio en el Seminario Bautista del Perú. En el Seminario cumplo dos funciones: Encargado de Relaciones Públicas y Profesor. No estoy satisfecho con mi desenvolvimiento. Entiendo que he podido hacer más de lo que he hecho. Como relacionista público tengo la meta de que pastores e iglesias apoyen nuestro ministerio. Dependemos del apoyo de los pastores e iglesias y sé que no he avanzado en eso. Espero hacer mejor en los días siguientes. Como maestro, en este segundo semestre enseñaré el libro de Los Hechos y el curso de Síntesis Doctrinal. Estoy trabajando en ambos cursos. Quiero ser una bendición al enseñarlos.

Almuerzo de compañerismo con los alumnos del cuatro año del Seminario.

Ministerio en otras ciudades. En Mayo viajé a la ciudad de Sullana con un equipo del seminario para apoyar en la evangelización, el discipulado y la predicación a la Iglesia Bautista Divino Redentor. Evangelizamos casa por casa, predicamos al aire libre y enseñamos a la iglesia. Hubo profesiones de fe. En Junio fui a Sullana otra vez, pero para enseñar Interpretación de la Biblia y Preparación de Mensajes Bíblicos a alumnos del programa teológico de extensión de las iglesias de esa ciudad. Fui también a Santa Rosa, que está a 4 horas de Tarapoto, fui con mi esposa y otros hermanos, para predicar y enseñar a la iglesia por su aniversario. En Santa Rosa, hubo varios que profesaron fe en Cristo. La mayoría eran niños.

Los que profesaron fe en Cristo en Santa Rosa. ¡La mayoría son niños!

Dios sigue usándome, le doy gracias por eso. Agradezco a Dios por ustedes, que trabajan "conmigo" a través de oraciones y ofrendas. ¡Dios les bendiga mucho siempre!

 

Segundo Rodríguez

Apreciados hermanos y compañeros en el reino de Jesucristo,

 

Que la gracia de Dios esté cubriendo vuestra vida siempre. Pablo, el apóstol a gentiles, interpretó su vida en Cristo a luz de la gracia de Dios. Todo lo que era y todo lo que hacía, lo atribuía a la gracia de Dios (1 Corintios 15.10). Nosotros, que vivimos hoy y que somos hijos de Dios y servimos a él, no podemos hacer distinto. Tenemos que reconocer la gracia de Dios en toda nuestra vida.

Su gracia nos hizo nacer en este mundo. Su gracia nos alcanzó estando perdidos y nos salvó por medio de Jesucristo. Su gracia nos va santificando y perfeccionando a pesar de que aún somos pecadores. Su gracia no da fuerzas para trabajar y ánimo para vivir en esta tierra. Su gracia nos hace levantarnos y seguir luchando para agradarle y hacer su voluntad. En fin, por la gracia de Dios nosotros somos lo que somos y hacemos lo que hacemos.

Ruego a Dios que su gracia siga obrando en nosotros, y nosotros, respondiendo a ella y sirviendo a Dios en la extensión del evangelio con todo nuestro corazón. En la presente nota quiero compartir algunos motivos de oración relacionados con el ministerio en el que estoy inmerso:

 

1. Por mi familia. Mi familia está bien, gracias a Dios por eso. Mis hijos están creciendo cada vez más. Noé Isaí (11), Segundo Andrés (10) y Elena Amada (9) están sanos y estudiando con ánimo. Los dos varones están estudiando música e instrumentos en la Escuela de Música. Mi esposa está con la salud estable y trabajando mucho más tanto en la casa como en la iglesia. Yo he pasado por momentos de agotamiento y debilidad espiritual. Ahora estoy mejor. Oren por nosotros, para que amemos a Cristo y le sirvamos de todo corazón hasta que él nos recoja y nos lleve a su reino. En especial, oren por mí, necesito mucho de sus oraciones. Tengo más responsabilidades espirituales y ministeriales y sus oraciones me ayudarán a cumplirlas con fidelidad.

 

2. Por la Iglesia Bautista La Esperanza. Dios es bueno y fiel. La iglesia sigue adelante. Hay ánimo. Tenemos unos 20 hermanos trabajando voluntariamente en los distintas áreas. En el mes de Marzo, el día 29, fuimos de paseo al campo. Pasamos un lindo tiempo de alabanza a Dios y aprendimos la palabra de Dios en un ambiente rural. Ese día también aprovechamos para bautizar a tres de nuestras hermanas: dos adultas y una niña. Tengo el video casero de estos bautismos. Pueden verlo en este link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX0_ElXvHQ4&list=UU4AXhBKPtX7-AHm5EXe8IOw&index=2

Nuestra iglesia ha iniciado ya el proceso de elegir un nuevo pastor. El Domingo 5 de mayo recibimos la visita del pastor Juan Valderrama, quien es nuestro candidato. Dios mediante, el proceso de interactuar, conocernos y discernir lo que Dios quiere tanto con el pastor Juan y con nosotros, la iglesia, durará hasta las dos primeras semanas de Agosto. En Agosto tendremos la asamblea en la que tomaremos la determinación. Por favor, rueguen por nosotros, para que Dios nos guíe y nos muestre su voluntad en lo referente a tener ya pastor en la iglesia.

 

3. Por el ministerio del Seminario Bautista del Perú. El Seminario Bautista del Perú es un ministerio de preparación de nuevos pastores y líderes. En este ministerio, estoy enseñando tres cursos: Vida de Cristo, El libro de Daniel y Síntesis Doctrinal. Enseño a los alumnos de segundo, tercero y cuarto año. También ayudo en el área de Relaciones Públicas. Ruego que me ayuden orando para que tenga sabiduría y palabras adecuadas para enseñar y para realizar el trabajo que me han encomendado. Este año, en el Seminario tenemos 55 alumnos. También, el acontecimiento más cercano es nuestra gira a la iglesias en distintas ciudades de Perú. Pidan a Dios para que los profesores y estudiantes seamos de bendición y edificación a los pastores y a los hermanos de las iglesias en que ministraremos. Sus oraciones nos ayudarán mucho para tener fruto para vida eterna en este viaje ministerial que se realizará del 20 al 26 de Mayo.

 

4. Por los líderes e iglesias de la ciudad de Requena y alrededores. Del 18 al 23 de Marzo fui a la ciudad de Requena para entrenar a los líderes y a los hermanos en Cristo de la zona. Me acompañaron el pastor Evelio Villalobos y el pastor Luis López.

El pastor Evelio enseñó Métodos y Técnicas de Enseñanza y el pastor Luis predicó mensajes devocionales para los alumnos durante el día y por la noche trajo los mensajes para la congregación. A mi tocó enseñar el libro de Daniel. Disfruté enseñando ese libro.

Por favor, oren por los pastores, líderes y hermanos en Cristo de Requena y alrededores. Pidan que Dios los guarde del mal y que la palabra que enseñamos dé fruto en sus vidas.

Oren también por los hermanos del Ministerio Alas del Rey, de Florida, USA, que son los que oran y sostienen con ofrendas para que viajemos y capacitemos a los hermanos de esa parte del Perú.

A propósito de este viaje, ustedes pueden encontrar una buena cantidad de fotos de ese viaje en el siguiente link:

https://plus.google.com/photos/117480476447788870964/albums/5858575212234511633?banner=pwa

Les ánimo a visitar el álbum y mirar las fotos. Tenemos las fotos gracias al pastor Luis López, que se dio el tiempo para tomarlas. En especial, miren las fotos que tomó en el mercado. Si las miran, conocerán mejor lo que comen las personas de esa parte del Perú.

 

¡Muchas gracias por leer y orar por lo que Dios está haciendo en mi vida y a través de mi vida! ¡Gracias también por comprender que ahora tarde un poco más en escribirles! ¡Ustedes son una gran estímulo para mí! ¡Sus oraciones, sus ofrendas y sus interés por mi vida personal, familiar y ministerial son un aliciente para seguir adelante en la obra de Dios!

 

Con aprecio,

Segundo Rodríguez