A Missionary's Dream

Pam and I moved back to the United States in 1992 after serving ten years in Chile. That was thirty years ago. Along with a team of stellar missionary teammates, we helped to establish a new church fellowship called the Iglesia de Cristo Latinoamericana (ICLA). There were 17 churches associated with our fellowship when we left Chile in 1992.

In the ensuing years much happened. The initial years after our leaving were difficult and a few churches left the fellowship. But most decided to stay connected and work together. The results have been nothing less than astonishing. There are now more than 30 churches associated with ICLA. The leadership is healthy with a new generation of young, passionate and eager pastors assuming the helm of the churches we helped to establish and the many new churches that have emerged since 1992.

One of the most exciting aspects of this still-growing fellowship is their missionary vision. When we first arrived in Chile, we were “the missionaries.” The church was still developing and we played a small part in helping to train and empower the national leaders we were connected with. Now, these churches no longer need missionaries who play the same roles we did. Instead, the churches are sending missionaries themselves into various unreached areas around the globe.

I would like to introduce a specific case in point. The last few years we lived in Chile, we came alongside an amazing couple to plant a new church in a coastal area known as Playa Ancha. Santiago Vega and his fearless wife, Mabel, moved from 20 miles away to live in the area as the lead church planters. They have served tirelessly for more than thirty years to build a thriving Jesus-centered church. Along the way, they raised three amazing sons. All three men are university graduates and deeply committed Jesus-followers.

Santiago and Mabel’s youngest son is Joshua. He recently graduated from university and is an accomplished worship leader. While attending university, Joshua spent a season in Minnesota with Youth With A Mission (YWAM). This was for his own personal spiritual development, and also to improve his English skills.

Recently, Joshua sensed God’s call to serve with YWAM in India and Nepal. He is a superb example of the missionary vision that now throbs within the Chilean church. The people we went to serve as missionaries years ago are now sending missionaries themselves extending the gospel of Jesus to regions far and wide.

Pam and I are supporting Joshua in his call with a one-time gift. Joshua estimates the cost for this missionary endeavor will be $2,000. If you would like to join Pam and I by investing in this magnificent kingdom cause, you can do so through Joshua’s Paypal account.

One of the personal testimonies I have after working with our Chilean leaders for four decades is not once have I experienced fraudulent or inappropriate spending of kingdom resources. If you invest in Joshua’s mission effort, you can rest assured it will be used for what you intended.

Since returning to the USA in 1992, Pam and I have traveled to Chile more than twenty-five times to visit, to encourage, to serve and to break bread with Chilean ministry colleagues and friends. One of the greatest blessings has been the lifelong connections with our “home away from home.” Joshua Vega’s courage and faith to “make disciples of all nations” is truly a missionary’s dream!

Warmly,