Training Pastors, Leaders, and Missionaries in Paraguay

Leadership Revolution teamed with Johnson Ferry Baptist Church to train 120 pastors, leaders and missionaries of the Baptist Convention of Paraguay. We were invited by the new president of the Baptist Convention to invest spiritually into these leaders.

One Leader Training

There have been a number of God stories on this trip. The trip was originally conceived by Peter and Anna Wlasiuk who had a heart to return to Peter’s native country of Paraguay to spread the gospel here. Peter had not been back to the country in 41 years. Last year he found out that a young boy he had mentored growing up was now the president of the Baptist Convention, Pastor Ruben. The Baptist Convention has some 300 churches in the country, and this pastor initiated the conference for them.

The theme of the conference was Jeremiah 29:11 which says, “For I know the plans that I [a]have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”

The Convention has been going through some deep struggles over the last several years and the teaching of Christ being the One Leader was a simple, yet deeply profound message that brought unity and hope to the pastors and the convention executives. We had no idea of the challenges that were going on, and there was no way to orchestrate what the Lord did. There was both tears and rejoicing as a result of this teaching and training.

We experienced Ephesians 4:11-13 which says, “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.”

Teaching Leaders to Triumphant in Turbulent Times 

Pastors and missionaries face difficult challenges in Paraguay. Political unrest, corruption and chronic economic problems have plagued the country's fragile democracy since it emerged from the 35-year dictatorship of the late Gen Alfredo Stroessner in 1989. It remains one of the region's poorest countries, with over 40% of its people living in poverty.

In addition, the country is 90% cultural Catholic and thus locked into thinking they are okay and that occasionally going to church will help them have eternity. There is a spiritual hunger in the country, yet the pastors and missionaries need great encouragement and equipping.

We taught a Leadership Revolution series on “Triumphant in Turbulent Times” which helped them look afresh at where they are in their faith walk, how to handle pain and difficulty, and how to bear multiplying fruit.

Romans 8:37 says, “No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” These pastors were deeply moved and encouraged to see the challenges from God’s view point.

Here are the eight steps we outlined:

1. In Chaos, wake up and own it.
2. Surrender is the first step to victory and the only path home.
3. Order requires giving up ownership & control as we do the right things
4. Establish depth in your walk through pruning and abiding.
5. Maturity seeks God’s will only, exercising His wisdom fully
6. Sacrifice puts others ahead of self through serving.
7. Eternity is a reality of life that is received today and lived forever.
8. Take action and persevere to finish well, motivated by hope.

Ministering in Asuncion Churches

The Paraguay mission trip continued as we ministered to over 400 people in two churches in Asuncion, Paraguay.

The first church was Iglesia Bautista – La Hermosa situated in a suburb of the city ministering to a wide range of people from medium income to poverty. They celebrated “Mother Day” and had many skits and song from the 180 children that attend their school. It was a chance to share the gospel to many parents, and in particular mothers, about Jesus Christ. This church is doing an outstanding job ministering to their community.

The second church was Igelsia Bautista – De Villa Morra which is centered in the new and upcoming financial district. They have a school of more than 500 students.

What a blessing to see the Lord working in the communities of Asuncion, Paraguay.

Psalms 66:3,5 says, “Say to God, “How awesome are Your works!...Come and see the works of God, Who is awesome in His deeds toward the sons of men.”

BW