What in the world is going on in ... CHILE!

Fast Facts:

Where is Chile? South Africa
Capital? Santiago
Language? Spanish
Religion? Roman Catholic 73%; Protestant, Bible believing Jesus followers 16%; non-religious 9%, Traditional Indian beliefs 1%; Jewish, Baha’i, Buddhist and Muslim all make up only 1%
What do Chileans love doing? Staying up very very very late and having a BBQ

Strange facts:

• In Northern Chile in the Atacama Desert it hasn’t rained for over 500 years but in the south of Chile it rains 340 days a year.
• There are 50 active volcanoes in Chile.
• The founder of Chile, ‘Pedro de Valdivia died when the Mapuche Indians poured molten gold down his throat.

What is the greatest need in Chile?

Our missionaries in Chile say that the greatest need in there is to train church leaders so that the word of God will be taught in the churches.
You might remember, or even better you might have a teacher at school who is really great, you enjoy their classes, enjoy how they teach and they treat you and your friends well, some how managing to respect you and maintain their authority in a good way.
At some stage that teacher would have been taught what to teach and how to teach it, they also may have had an inspirational lecturer at uni or a teacher when they were at school that inspired and taught them how to become the teacher he or she is.
Well it’s just the same with bible teachers in churches, they can become good or even great church leaders if they are taught the bible well, are taught how to communicate it well and are inspired by godly Christian leaders.
Good bible teachers, good youth group leaders, good pastors and ministers don’t just happen by accident they need to be trained in the bible and taught how to communicate God’s truths through the bible and godly leaders.
Paul (the apostle Paul from the bible) instructed Timothy who was leading a church in Ephesus to, ’Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1Tim. 4:16).
It is crucial that church leaders know the bible, live it out and tell others the truth about the bible as well.

CMS Missionaries in Chile

Steven and Rebecca Shead are CMS missionaries in Chile, Steven teaches at a Bible school they say ‘The Anglican Church of Chile is small, but is striving to plant new churches and to reach into all levels of Chilean society. However, there is a real shortage of trained pastors and lay workers, and the general level of biblical understanding is low’.
Tim Swan, another CMS missionary teaches at the same bible school. He emphasised the need to train Christian leaders in godly character saying, ‘We want to develop godly character along with Godly minds.’ The bible college offers a full time program where students not only study together, but eat, pray and go on mission together.

It is absolutely crucial that Christian leaders be trained to understand the word of God and to live it out. In the majority world we will see more and more of the next generation of missionaries going to teach the bible teaches the word of God.

To become a bible teacher/lecture what do you need to do?
Heaps of training, especially biblical training, but don’t let that put you off, if you are interested pray that God will provide you with the skills, bible knowledge and godliness as well as the patience you need for the years it will take you to be trained. But don’t stress it will be worth it.

If you think teaching church leaders isn’t for you pray -

• Pray that God will rise up people all around the world for this crucial kingdom job.
• Pray that more Chileans will take on the task. It is a massive job and there are great needs for bible teaches all around the world please pray and think about going.