By Roberto Blauth
Advancing the Gospel through relational networks, Chileans gather on a day off.
Here in Latin America, our Navigator work is led by many people who advance the Gospel through their professions, families and homes. This model, which is similar to the New Testament church, enables every believer to participate.
Likewise, our cross-cultural missionaries often use their professions to gain access to countries and to develop relationships with postmodern non-Christians. The kingdom of God takes root as believers use their work, family, houses and financial resources to carry the Gospel forward.
Here’s a perfect demonstration. An international missions partnership has just been formed between Navigators from Mexico, Chile, and Brazil. Together the team is focused on carrying the Gospel message of God’s grace into Chile.
The Mexican couple, Roy and Moni, recently moved from their home in Aguascalientes, Mexico to Santiago, Chile as crosscultural missionaries. They are joining in partnership with my son, Pedro, and his wife, Flávia, in an effort to reach Chilean families. Both couples are working with Carlos and Márcia, who are Chileans. This multinational team comprises couples from three Latin American nations!
Roy worked many years as a businessman. More recently he has combined his skills in business with his ability as a professional photographer. Moni, his wife, works as a statistician for a prominent Mexican institute. While in Mexico, they played a foundational role in establishing a strong local community of believers in Aguascalientes.
In Chile, Roy and Moni have begun to use their professions as a natural point of entry into relationships with Chileans. The institute for which Moni worked, by God’s power, is keeping Moni on staff.
As for Pedro and Flávia, the Brazilian Navigators sent them as cross-cultural missionaries to Chile eight years ago. A dentist, Pedro has been working in clinics in Santiago, which has enabled him to express God’s love through his work with patients and to develop friendships. God also gave Flávia, a lawyer, work in her profession. They, along with their two small children, have found ways to influence many Chilenos for Christ.
As cross-cultural missionaries, this multinational team has learned how to gain rapport within Santiago’s social structures. A beautiful city situated at the base of the Andes, Santiago has a population of about six million. The people live within neighborhoods where they form very close relationships—so close that they rarely interact with people from other neighborhoods. So, it takes time to develop authentic friendships within the Chilean culture.
Everyone on the team faces the same victories and difficulties as their Chilean friends. They work hard to make a living and worry about schooling for their kids, but they rely on Christ and follow him each day. They share their faith in small acts of service to their neighbors, through daily work, and during innumerable conversations over coffee and meals. There are no big “ministry” programs, but these couples are highly intentional about loving and serving people while sharing their faith.
Everyone on the team is applying what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 7:17: “. . . each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them.”
This international partnership in Chile is just one demonstration of how God is advancing his kingdom through Navigators who are professionals all over Latin America. Please pray that God would use our team in Santiago to reach many people with the love and grace of Jesus.
Roberto Blauth is the regional director for Latin America.
