La Rinconada, Peru, located in the Puno region at an altitude exceeding 5,300 meters above sea level, claims the title of the world's highest city. Nestled amongst the snow-capped peaks of the Peruvian Andes and central to a mining area, this city is subject to frigid temperatures, often falling below 14 °F (-10 °C). Despite its remote and harsh conditions, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has established a presence in La Rinconada, bringing the Word of God to its inhabitants.

Eight members of the “Los Andes” church traveled to Brazil from this location. They first took a 27-hour bus ride to the city of Rio Branco, and then a 3-hour plane ride to the city of Brasilia. They did this with the purpose of participating in the Maranata Convention organized by the South American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This event brings together 20,000 people at the BRB Mané Garrincha Arena from May 29 to June 1, 2024.

Involved with the Mission

With the desire to learn in order to disciple the young people and the new generations of their locality, the leaders of the “Los Andes” church came to the event. They intend to put into practice the methods and strategies learned at Maranata.

Motivated by the Return of Christ

7,000 people live in the city of "La Rinconada", where despite the constant struggle against cold weather and socio-economic issues, the population has continued to grow. It is there that today, Adventists fulfill their mission of preaching the gospel.

Likewise, during their route to Brazil, they say that they had the opportunity to talk about Jesus with other travelers, through testimonies and anecdotes. "God motivates us, there is no distance that prevents us from fulfilling his purposes ... and he inspires us to be the promise of God in salvation and service for humanity wherever we are," they expressed with emotion, after their arrival at the BRB Mané Garrincha Arena.

The original article was published on the South American Division Spanish website.