Assisting Uruguayan Churches in Evangelism and Ministry Training

Thank you for your interest in the work of the Kingdom in Uruguay! There is a wide door of opportunity open for us there, and we are excited about the privilege of serving Jesus Christ in this part of His harvest field.

Our goal is to assist and strengthen the Uruguayan churches in some of the following ways:

Ministry training: This will take place first within EMU’s F.V. DABOLD BIBLE INSTITUTE. We then expect to partner with Uruguayan pastors and leaders in the long-term development of a BIBLE COLLEGE PROGRAM, for those desiring training beyond the institute level. We view this as the major focal point of our ministry.

Gabriel Gómez, director of the Bible institute, has written the following to me: “My concern is that after a student finishes the Bible institute . . . he then has no other possibility of continuing to study and to deepen his knowledge. . . . This is my own personal burden; I myself desire to be able to continue studying, and I believe that all of us here would benefit greatly.”

Evangelism and discipleship: We desire to strengthen churches and church planting efforts, with the goal of equipping believers and promoting mature, trained national leadership. Two immediate needs include Iglesia Bautista Fundamental Siloé (Siloam Fundamental Baptist Church), an EMU church currently without a pastor, and Iglesia Bíblica Maranatha (Maranatha Bible Church) in Pando, a church being planted by Deborah's father, Don Garwood (of Maranatha Bible Missions). Opportunities include preaching, Sunday school teaching, neighborhood visitation, and youth ministry. Finally, we look forward to involvement in Camp Emmanuel during Uruguay's summer (January and February).

By serving in the local churches and camp ministry, we hope to strengthen these works by equipping and encouraging believers to take their place in the ministry. This will also provide opportunity to evangelize and will give us valuable experience in the ministry.

We are prepared to begin work immediately upon arrival in Uruguay: the Lord has given us knowledge of Uruguayan culture and experience with the Spanish language. Please pray that the Lord would use us to further His purposes both here in the United States and Canada, and in the future in South America!