First International Pastoral Conference on Care Held in Ecuador
After months of planning, preparation, and prayer, the day had finally arrived for the first-ever Pastoral Conference on Care in Quito, Ecuador. We had been working feverishly getting all the materials printed in both Spanish and English and securing accommodations for the over 300 South American delegates who would be attending. The invitation had been sent to the overseers and pastors in South America that if they could arrange to get to Quito—everything would be provided for them.
Many of us were very tired, but we arrived in the beautiful city of Quito ready to begin. The first day started with breakout sessions held on the lovely campus of Semisud which is nestled in the valley outside Quito. There, amid cow pastures, stands a monument to Christian training and discipleship— the campus of the South American Seminary, Semisud.
Dr. Gene Rice, director of SpiritCare ministries, led the morning session with his opening theme of Divine Discontent – Care, A Mandate and Privilege. Following the session, pastors, laity and leaders in benevolent ministries led in the ten breakout sessions that covered various areas of care ministries from Disaster Relief to Ministry to Widows.
Each evening the service began with a “Focus on Ministry” opportunity. The first night, Dr. John Nichols and Dr. John Gregory of the Lazarus Foundation, addressed the group on The Emerging Ministries of Care. Both Dr. Gregory and Dr. Nichols challenged our hearts with the cause of benevolence. Dr. Nichols once again repeated the theme of “Holy Discontent.” After some lively worship in singing from the Semisud singers, the General Overseer, Dr. Dennis McGuire, brought the evening message. The Hispanic audience was thrilled as Dr. McGuire led in How Great Thou Art in the Spanish language. But even with the language barrier and working with a translator, the Spirit of the Lord moved in a tremendous way as Dr. McGuire addressed the subject, Caring as we Near the End of This Age.
The following two days, the morning sessions were held in Quito at the Swissotel. The South American students, faculty and other guests traveled from Semisud by bus to the hotel. Dr. Yattenciy Bonilla brought one of the most stirring lectures of the conference as he addressed, The Care and Ministry of Jesus According to Luke 4:17-21.
Dr. Robert Crick, director of the Chaplains Commission, continued in the morning session with Chaplaincy—A Biblical Mandate of Modern Day Care, urging delegates to minister ‘Outside the Gates.’ Dr. Crick reports we now have Chaplaincy programs in every country of South America. Each morning, a delicious buffet was presented both for the morning break and lunch. During the latter part of the lunch hour, Dr. Bill Leonard and Dr. Esdras Betancourt presented their session on Ministerial Care in the church and Caring for the Clergy. Dr. Leonard stressed the importance of being a friend and having friends for support in ministry.
Wednesday evening the focus session was on child care in the Church of God. Dr. John Sweet, program director of the Smoky Mountain Children’s Home, highlighted the importance of caring for the fatherless and children in need. Barbara Smith, the wife of the International Executive Director of Care Ministries, shared regarding their twin miracles—two precious grandsons who came to them from Guatemala. Following another period of lively worship and singing, Dr. Tim Hill, brought the evening message. The Spirit of the Lord moved in a marvelous way as he presented, Being Broken to Give. Many streamed to the altar following this inspiring message, as we were all reminded that we are broken so that we may give out to others.
The last day of the conference came all too quickly. Each day we watched as the participants drank in every word and sat on the edge of their seats in anticipation of the next speaker. The last morning sessions were led by Dr. Lario Lopez, who spoke on The Theology of Care, and Reverend Gerald McGinnis, Pastor of the Park West Church in Knoxville, TN, addressing Creating a Ministry of Care in Your City. During the noon hour, David Lorency, director of Operation Compassion, stirred our hearts with moving accounts of how God has used Operation Compassion around the world to spread the ministry of care.
Two very special dedication ceremonies were conducted during the week along with the conference. The dedication of the newest building on the Semisud campus, the Latin American Center of Chaplaincy, Urban Mission, Trans-cultural Studies, and Social Development also known as the David and Maria Fernanda Ramirez Building was celebrated. Special recognition was given to the Lazarus Foundation, Dr. David and Maria Ramirez, Dr. David Munguia, Dr. John Nichols, Dr. John Gregory, Dr. Robert Crick, Dr. Roland Vaughn, Reverend Charles Lambert and a host of others who contributed both financially and supportively.
A small group traveled on Thursday to The Foundation Bread of Life feeding center dedication. This multipurpose care center for impoverished children and adults, feeds hundreds of children twice a day and provides training in carpentry, computer technology, sewing and other skills. The Lazarus Foundation, sponsors of the center, presented them with additional funds for further ministry needs. Many were moved by the precious children who were arrayed in their native dress as they expressed appreciation to the visitors. Dr. Robert Crick stated regarding the feeding center dedication, “Without a doubt, this and many other events made this a most noteworthy Conference on Care.”
As we boarded the bus for the last time to return to the Semisud campus for the evening service, some of us had been complaining of one particularly rough bus ride. Earlier we had learned that several of the South American delegates rode for five days and others for twelve days, sleeping on the bus as they traveled to attend the conference. Our discomforts paled in comparison with the great sacrifices so many had made to arrive in Quito.
The service began with a moving presentation from Judi Moore who shared regarding Ministry to Widows. Judi and CarolMarie Smith had been able to minister throughout the week to various groups of widows in the area. Once again we joined in singing in bilingual praise, but nevertheless, in one accord as we prepared for the evening sermon. Dr. Donnie Smith, Executive Director of Care Ministries, brought the final message, “Spiritual Signs that God has Great Things for our Church.” The simply incredible part of this message was how God had touched the ‘messenger.’ For days, Dr. Smith had been suffering untold agony and was practically incapacitated with back pain. On Wednesday evening, several people prayed for Dr. Smith and he was instantly relieved of his pain. For the first time in five days he was able to sleep in a bed instead of a chair. God used Dr. Smith mightily that night, and as the people streamed down the aisles for prayer, I realized…We traveled to Quito to be a blessing to the Church of God missionaries and workers there…but we were the ones that were blessed!!
–Anita Hughes, executive assistant, Church of God Care Ministries
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The following are quotes from Church of God leaders on their experience regarding the Quito Conference on Care:
“This conference accomplished something I have rarely seen. It was truly an international, intercultural, interracial event. The amazing fact was that everyone was on the same page and stayed on the same page even as the pages were being turned.” —Roland Vaughn, Director, Church of God World Missions
“The hunger to be involved in the work of compassion was the most refreshing, fulfilling and exciting I’ve ever witnessed.” —Dave Lorency, Director, Operation Compassion
“The Conference on Care was filled with the presence of God’s Holy Spirit in every class, every service, in all the fellowship, and in the vision for the harvest. ” –A. M. Stephens, Jr.—Pastor, South Concord Church of God, North Carolina
“The international Conference on Care is now history, but the effects of what happened are yet to be seen. It was both inspirational and instructional.” — Victor Pagan -South American Field Director, Church of God World Missions
“I believe the conference left an indelible impression on the ministers who attended and will have a dramatic impact on the future of benevolent care in South America. ” –Ken Bell -Administrative Liaison to the General Overseer
“This was one of the most beneficial conferences I have attended and participated in during my 30+ years of ministry. During this conference I received much more than I gave.” –Gerald McGinnis, Senior Pastor, Park West Church, Knoxville, Tenn.
“This conference was a groundbreaking event for the Church of God. The unified efforts of the Care Division combined with the gifts and talents of our South American pastors will reap unequaled results in years to come.” –Timothy M. Hill – Assistant General Overseer
