Love for God motivated seven young people to leave their homes for a year to share the Gospel wherever the mission sends them: four from Brazil and three from the interior of Peru. This is the story of Hélida, Priscila, Flavio, Maria Eduarda, Karina, Jorge, and Maria Elena, volunteers with the One Year in Mission (OYIM) project of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, who, after training, were called to evangelize in Cusco, Peru.
Settled in the Manuel Prado neighborhood of the Cusco region and prioritizing the needs of the locality, in April 2023, the volunteers began activities through a center of influence, conducting free workshops such as Portuguese classes (children, adolescents, and adults), painting for children, and school reinforcement (mathematics and communication); they also promoted the practice of athletics and a healthy lifestyle with soccer and aerobics workshops and educated the population in emotional health through free psychological care.
The objective of the center of influence was to meet the needs of the population and then present them with the message of hope, using Christ's method. As a result of these efforts, more than thirty families were evangelized: four children were baptized, and two entire families and seven individuals agreed to take Bible studies.
A New Adventist Church in Quillahuata
Quillahuata is a populated center located in the San Sebastian district of the Cusco region. Here, the Adventist presence was almost null: Only a couple embraced the faith. Thus, motivated by the visit and guidance of Pastor Daniel Arana, Youth Ministries director for the South Peru Union, and given the great need and potential that this humble community had, the implementation of an organized group began.
With effort and dedication, the volunteers were able to gather six families every Friday to study the Bible, and among them, seven people were baptized. Likewise, through the respective procedures, the creation of the Quillahuata Adventist Church was achieved, where residents and visitors will be able to congregate.
OYIM 2024 Call for Volunteers
Thanks to the work done by OYIM volunteers and under the direction of church leaders, more people know God. There is still much to be done, which is why the call for volunteers in 2024 is open until December 29. Those interested may contact the youth director of their respective churches.
The original version of this story was posted on the South American Division Spanish-language news site.