As I’m working on this article, my mind is filled with thoughts and images of a young man losing his life with all kinds of commentary about his legacy in the news. So, as I think about my journey through life, what are some of the things that have contributed to God’s kingdom and bring glory to Him?
As I stay in contact with Ecuadorians friends with whom I served, it has been encouraging to hear from their perspective, what things are important and what merit ongoing effort.
The Quichua community in and around the city of Riobamba has continued to establish itself. During the last 10 to 15 years, the preparation of pastors and church leaders has taken shape through the establishment of their own seminary. Before property was purchased and a building constructed, I was invited to offer a series of presentations on developing good leadership. In the context of interactive discussions exploring key components of church leadership, it was encouraging to see these men eager to learn what good leadership looked like and how they might apply these discussions to their own ministries.
Today property has been purchased, a significant multi-story building has been constructed and graduating classes of seminary trained pastors have been prepared. Being instrumental in the formation of this ministry has been our way of supporting this ministry. That baton of ministry has been passed on and now it’s their own!
After serving alongside Ecuadorian healthcare professionals, in some cases for decades, there are some colleagues who have had a desire to become missionaries and serve as Christ followers in their own setting. Corrientes, a ministry for training nationals, was developed to assess the needs of each individual and offer training for effective ministry. At the same time the U.S.-based Christian Medical and Dental Association developed a teaching program for healthcare professionals in the U.S. who have a desire to reflect their faith in their own medical offices and hospital environments. I was instrumental in translating that training material into Spanish and together with our mission’s television department produce a video training material. Today one young Ecuadorian lady medical doctor, who has gone through the missionary training program, has been serving in a variety of Latin American countries as an instructor of the translated training program for those who want to share their faith in their working environment. Seeing that training material as a tool to encourage doctors and nurses in sharing their personal faith has been encouraging.
I like connecting the dots and seeing evidence of God’s guiding hands in the formation of relevant ministries. These are some examples of ministries that reflect God’s ongoing blessing and that bring glory to Him!
Think about that . . .
NOTE: This article was submitted by Roger Reimer, retired HCJB (Reach Beyond) missionary in Ecuador. These examples show that supporting ministries and missionaries does not always involve money. Sometimes support can be in the form of involvement and encouragement. Thank you, Roger, for your service in furthering the Kingdom.
Leave a comment