REAPing benefits of missions relationship

Janice Trusty

Edgardo Mendez, whom members of First Baptist Lithia Springs have come to know over the past several years, rejoices after being baptized by church member Hugh Grimmer. “We had been praying for this for a couple of years,” said Grimmer.

It was less than a year after meeting international missionaries Mike and Kathy Weaver that Dale Pickens found himself ministering in Peru. Now, he and other members of First Baptist Lithia Springs regularly travel there to train others in spreading the gospel.

First Baptist’s accelerated pace in establishing it’s relationship with the South American country is typical of REAP (Rapid Entry Advanced Plan), a church planting strategy of the International Mission Board. The objective of this strategy is to see indigenous, self-sufficient church planting churches established among a particular micro-people group or population segment.

After viewing a video and digesting information supplied by Mike Weaver, Pickens approached First Baptist’s WMU director, Roberta Quinn. Quinn in turn talked with Pastor Bob Whitmire over possibly working in Peru.

Whitmire said he had been praying about an international missions event for the church. Once presented to the church council, it was agreed that the church would proceed with the event. The church made a five-year commitment to send teams to train Peruvian pastors and laypeople how to spread the gospel. Soon thereafter, First Baptist sent several members on a vision trip to look over the area of Lampa.

After securing permission from village leaders, church members prayer-walked and visited a radio station.

“They were excited to see us, and allowed us to present the gospel over the air,” said Pickens. “When we visited the villages the people told us that they had heard us on their battery operated radios.”

Janice Trusty

Journeymen Lane Brown, left, and Kristen Seay, right, chat with girls playing jacks. Both work with a third Journeyman, Brad Borggren, to partner with members of First Baptist Lithia Springs.

Using the JESUS film in schools and villages opened doors. “After the film, people would ask, ‘How can we know Jesus more?’” explained Pickens.

REAP has two teams serving simultaneously in Peru trying to make a difference among the unreached. One serves in the northern half of the country (REAP North) and another serves in southern Peru as well as in Bolivia, and soon to be in northern Chile and northern Argentina (REAP South).

In 2005, six members of First Baptist visited villages outside of Lampa. In Huayta Central village, Hugh Grimmer gathered some young children and a few adults and began telling Bible stories. After 10 or 15 minutes, Grimmer asked if they had any questions. One man asked, “How can we have a church built here?”

“The church is not a building, but a group of people in Bible study,” Grimmer explained. The man confirmed that was what he wanted. The group was ready to leave so Grimmer told the man he would return to share about the church later.

A few days later the group planned to return to Huayta Central village but their driver carried them to another village instead. Their time had expired and there was no time to return to Huayta.

“However,” Grimmer said, “apparently the driver was listening to someone other than me, because he took us to Huayta Central. We found 18 adults and young people waiting for us. We conducted a Bible study and gave everyone a Bible. We also encouraged them to meet regularly in prayer and Bible study and to invite others to join the group.”

The New Jerusalem Church of Huayta Central village celebrated its second year in October.

During a trip in October 2006, First Baptist members visited the village of Lynzora. Upon request the team prayed for rain needed for the villagers’ crops. While giving out Bibles, raindrops began to fall. One year later, the villagers asked for new Bibles; they had worn out those from the year before.

First Baptist members return several times every year, totaling 14 trips over a three-year period. Each summer college-age students go to Lampa, accompanied by a member who has been and can introduce them to the villages’ president. Members of the teams pay their own way. Some use vacation time to go.

This year First Baptist issued an invitation to other churches to join, with one member of Jefferson Avenue Baptist in East Point joining the group.

The team has seen results despite obstacles. Sunday, Oct. 21 was Census Day with government orders stating everyone to stay home until 6 p.m. First Baptist members could not conduct service at Lampa Community Church that morning, but did hold service in the evening. Six people attended. On Monday evening 40 attended, followed by 45 on Tuesday. On all three nights most of those in attendance were teenagers.

Janice Trusty

Team members of First Baptist Lithia Springs, Journeymen, and village residents form a prayer circle. The church has made a five-year commitment to send teams to train Peruvian pastors and laypeople in spreading the gospel.

That same month team members joined the work of IMB Journeymen Laine Brown, Kristen Seay, and Brad Borggren. All three are fluent in Spanish and host a 30-minute radio program three times a week. Each of the Journeymen takes a day to host the program.

Seay sees a lot of potential in ministry but says, “[Peruvians] don’t feel they can do it alone. They need a leader. There are men who are possibilities here, but they need training.”

In Tusini Grande the team was invited to speak to a school of men and women who were studying to better themselves. Divided into two classes they enjoyed meeting the Americans. As always, before the team left they presented the gospel.

For Hugh Grimmer the highlight of his fifth trip was the baptism of Edgardo Mendez. “We have been praying for this for a couple of years,” says Grimmer.

“These people are receptive to the gospel. They need help in establishing Bible studies and churches. I believe the Journeymen can be a great help in establishing Bible studies in the villages and helping lead the Lampa Community Church. But we need more stateside churches to become involved.”

For more information in joining REAP contact Dale and Vickie Pickens of the U.S. Mobilization Team at (404) 768-3613, dalepick@bellsouth.net, or mobilizing4peru@bellsouth.net.