A commitment to construct 100 churches and 14 schools in Peru is the latest “initiative of faith” announced by Maranatha Volunteers International, a lay supporting ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church that is committed to constructing urgently needed buildings through the use of volunteers.

The effort is part of Maranatha’s recently announced “1,000 Churches in 1,000 Days” initiative to be launched in 2004, an organized plan to construct 1,000 urgently needed houses of worship in countries where the Seventh-day Adventist membership is swiftly increasing. [See ANN Bulletin, May 13, 2003;

]http://www.adventist.org/news/data/2003/04/1052835404/index.html.en]<p>Last week, Maranatha met with leaders of the Peru Seventh-day Adventist Church in Lima to discuss the current church needs in the wake of the denomination’s phenomenal growth. Currently there are 600,000 members in Peru, and they expect to baptize 50,000 more in the upcoming year. </p>

“The most critical need we have right now is church structures. We, as leaders, need to demonstrate responsibility by providing houses of worship for our rapidly growing congregations,” said Melchor Ferreyra, president of the church in Peru. </p>

The churches are growing so fast that the leadership is having difficulty keeping up with the demand to house the congregations. As a result, members are independently seeking solutions by finding empty buildings or the shade of trees for worship space. </p>

“It’s one thing to baptize many people, but it’s another for the church to nurture them and make them life-long disciples of Christ,” said one of the Maranatha leaders visiting the potential church sites in Peru. “We want to assist in a tangible way.”</p>

The growth can be attributed to the church’s emphasis on small groups. On Sabbath, congregations are encouraged to divide into groups of eight people. The group then holds intensive studies on prophecy, Bible doctrines, and methods on the coordination and management of a church. Each church member is also asked to bring at least one new person to the group each quarter. As a result, Adventist church membership in Peru is now considered among one of the fastest growing worldwide. </p>

Don Noble, Maranatha’s president, said that like nearly all initiatives “we are involved with, this one here in Peru begins with a ‘faith-factor.’ We usually start with no money at first, but we know that God provides. He has not failed us yet.” Noble also pointed to careful and visionary planning of the church leaders in Peru. “They are ready,” he said.</p>

Maranatha’s success is accomplished through infectious dedication to the mission of the church, with precise planning, and involvement of scores of volunteers, their resources, skills, and a sense of adventure. Noble revealed that before they all knew how bold the plan of “1,000 Churches in 1,000 Days” was, “phones started ringing. We know that we are on the way.” </p>

Peru has a long history with the Adventist Church, which began in the country in 1898 and took off with the pioneering work of Fernando A. Stahl in 1909. Stahl’s mission service in Peru, particularly in the area surrounding Lake Titicaca and with the Aymara Indians, is well known and documented in his book, In the Land of the Incas. </p>

Located on the western coast of South America, Peru is a lush land with more than 80 different climate zones and abundant wildlife. Its beauty and fascinating Incan history has drawn tourists from all over the world. </p>

Maranatha will begin construction preparation in Peru this fall. Volunteer opportunities will begin in mid 2004. The “1,000 Churches in 1,000 Days” initiative, of which construction in Peru will account for 10 percent of the entire project, will focus on church needs in South America, Inter-America, Africa and India. About 75 percent of the projects are slated for areas within the “10/40 window,” a geographical designation of people groups that have little Christian influence.</p>