More than 1,500 top officials of the Church of God throughout Latin America gathered late last month in Guatemala to hear from denominational leaders and discuss plans that will guide the growth of the church until the year 2020 under the theme, “Word, Spirit, and Community.”
Under the leadership of Latin American director David Ramirez, the continent’s regional superintendents, national overseers, educational directors, district leaders, and key pastors are dealing for three days with the program called “Vision 20/20 6R,” which sets goals for the coming eight years around six “Rs”: renewing global vision, restoring hope, revitalizing churches, reeducating the local church, reflecting the glory of God, and responding in action.
The highlight of the Tuesday evening meeting in the Westin Camino Real Hotel was a Skype interview with the church’s Executive Council in session in Cleveland, Tennessee. Mark Williams, general overseer and chairman of the Council, exchanged greetings with Tim Hill, director of World Missions, and Ramirez while the Guatemala audience participated.
Two veteran missionaries to Latin America⎯Victor Pagan and his wife, Ada, and Roland Vaughan and his wife, Carole⎯were presented trophies in honor of their many years of ministry among Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking people in Mexico, Brazil, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.
Juan Wagenweld, the speaker for the opening night’s service, is the international president of the Church Multiplication Network, an organization that works with numerous denominations in planting churches. He preached on the subject, “More Churches, Better Churches,” challenging the audience to prioritize planting new churches in their fields of labor.
Tim Hill preached Wednesday night and the conference continued through Thursday.
Bill George, Coordinator of Education/Publications
(Source: Church of God World Missions)