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Dear Friend,
Years ago, while serving as a
missionary in the Philippines, I witnessed an annual
rite of religious contrition that was staggering in its
brutality. On Good Friday, people would walk a grueling
journey, beating their bodies with metal tipped whips
until they were covered in blood. I was stunned by the
ends they were willing to go to to merit salvation when
true salvation was provided freely, once-for-all by the
sacrifice of Jesus Christ. As I recall that scene this
Holy Week, I am reminded of the millions of people in
Latin America who are likewise futilely counting on
their works for salvation. As we remember Christ’s death
and resurrection this week, please lift in prayer the
Encounter with God churches that are on the frontlines
of Latin America’s great cities proclaiming the free
gift of eternal life to all who would believe in Jesus.
Thank you for your prayers!
Yours for discipling nations,
Jim Eduardo Mercon Recovering
from Congestive Heart Failure
DALLAS, Texas. Eduardo Mercon,
pastor of an Encounter church in Caracas, Venezuela, was
unexpectedly hospitalized for congestive heart failure
last month while visiting his daughter in Dallas, Texas.
Eduardo spent 10 days sedated in intensive care while
doctors worked to stabilize his condition. Thankfully
the Lord has answered prayers and Eduardo has been
released from the hospital and is recovering at his
daughter’s home with hopes of returning to Caracas later
this month. Please pray for his continued recovery and
that the Lord will provide the funds to cover the
remaining $31,000 in medical expenses. The Mercons'
medical insurance did not provide coverage outside of
Venezuela.
CMI is receiving gifts to help offset the Mercon family's
uncovered and unexpected
medical costs.
Quito Initiative Advances
QUITO, Ecuador. Praise the Lord,
that after many road blocks and hurdles we are nearing
completion of the 1,500-seat worship center for the
República Church in Quito,
Ecuador. Lord willing the new facility will be finished
by the end of the year. Please continue to pray for the
República
Church and for CMI’s Quito Initiative – a
strategic vision for developing ten 1,000 person
congregations in Quito, Ecuador by 2014. We thank the
Lord for His great financial provision that allowed us
to meet our goals for 2005 and ask for prayer that this
momentum will continue throughout 2006. Pray, too, as we
work with pastors in addressing the leadership
development challenge associated with advancing such a
sizeable vision.
Multiple Outreaches at Santiago’s
Cordillera Church
SANTIAGO, Chile. April and May
are busy months of evangelistic outreach for the
Cordillera Church in Santiago, Chile. Cordillera has
pioneered a variety of weekend retreats aimed at
introducing the Good News of Christ to people at
specific points of need. Please pray for the many
unbelievers that will be attending the “Children’s
Encounter” Retreat on April 21-22, the “Marriage
Encounter” Retreat on April 28-30 and the “Youth
Encounter” Retreat on May 26-28.
Bible
Seminary of Peru Enrolls 102 New Students
LIMA, Peru. Please pray for
the new students enrolled this year in the Bible
Seminary of Peru (SEBAP). The main campus at the Pueblo
Libre Church welcomed 41 new students this year. 37 more
enrolled in the extension campus at the Comas Church
and 24 others enrolled at the Zarate Church extension.
For most students, committing to seminary studies is a
sizeable sacrifice requiring countless hours of study
and ministry service while simultaneously working to
meet their physical needs. Pray for the Lord’s strength
for them and that they would be well-equipped to
minister effectively among the rapidly multiplying
Encounter churches in Peru.
“Chronicles” of Confraternidad
BOGOTÁ,
Colombia. As part of its Holy Week activities, the
Confraternidad Church in Bogota, Colombia is hosting a
series of seminars centered on the spiritual truths
behind the movie “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion,
the Witch and the Wardrobe.” The seminars will run from
April 12 – April 14 and cover topics such as “Facing
Pain,” “The Conversion of an Atheist,” Redemption
Imagery,” and “Echoes of the Cross.” Please pray that
the Lord would use the event to draw many
to Jesus Christ. |
