The problem of listening to ourselves and believing that we are listening to God
Like many of you since the pandemic began, we wanted to hear what the Holy Spirit had to say because everything around us was pure confusion with so many voices that wanted to stun us: Christians who quarreled on social networks (if closing the church was a lack of faith, if getting vaccinated was putting on the mark of the Beast, etc., etc.). That is, much bewilderment because, as Joshua 3:4 says, “we have not gone through this path before.”
As we asked God to open our ears to hear Him and not so much to the news and comments around us, He led us to the text of Isaiah 50:4. The text Reina Valera Spanish version says, “oir como los sabios, hear like the wise.” To pray with more understanding, we began to read this text in other versions. For example, it is translated as “listening like the disciples in different Spanish versions.” In the English versions: “hear as the learned” or “hear as they that are taught.” Therefore, to hear as a disciple, as one who has been taught because he is teachable and moldable, implies denying oneself and sincerely and sacrificially following Jesus “no matter what,” not living for oneself but renouncing the right to self-preservation.
After meditating about this, we felt that the question was: Do we really want to hear? Personally, as a church, as an organization... Do we REALLY want to hear from God?
Our prayer at the beginning of 2022 has been God gives us the grace and courage to really hear, not just to fulfill our curiosity to know who's right in the political and ideological discussions in our midst since the pandemic started, but to fully obey you no matter what.
Continue reading ... 1st Qtr 2022 Contreras News
Gilbert and Virginia teaching and ministering at the AG School of Missions and Missionary Renewal in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Recently we taught at the National Missions Department, equipping future and veteran missionaries. It has been our joy to invest in the formation of Argentine missionaries since 2007.
“We want to thank God for the lives of Gilbert and Virginia, especially for the workshops we were able to receive in this missionary retreat, useful tools, presented in such a practical way and above all with a focus on the Word of the Lord. We totally recommend these workshops and training to other missionaries and teams. God spoke to our lives and brought insights and healing.” Doctor Matias Ramello and his wife Missionary candidates to Africa
AG Sunday School (Escuela Bíblica UAD) facilitators coaching sessions conducted by Virginia
Caring for others should not cost you your soul. Taking the time and making space (virtually) with our team workers in 23 provinces to reflect and be aware of signs of compassion fatigue or burnout and rethinking and praying for wise ways to implement restoration and renewal of oneself for better service of others.
Instituto Bíblico Río de La Plata: Virginia teaches a workshop on implementing a School for Parents in our churches
All the students, pastors, etc. who attended Virginia’s workshop both in person and virtually were delighted with everything she shared with us about being able to train parents to pass the torch of the Gospel to the next generation and ways the church can enable and accompany them in this task. They all left challenged and also empowered with all the resources she shared. It was a great blessing. Daira Alfonso, Director of EMNA, IBRP.
Why are we empowering and mobilizing communities of faith to fight human trafficking?
South America is one of the most significant sources and destination locations in the world and has struggled with HT for many years.
Many factors cause human trafficking, like a high demand for domestic servants, sex laborers, and factory workers, the existence of already established trafficking networks that often take advantage of young women and children, corruption in the governments and local law enforcement agencies, a governmental disinterest in the issue and a lack of opportunity for women in South American regions where trafficking occurs. People who are typically exploited in human trafficking are impoverished, indigenous people, unemployed, a victim of abuse, illiterate, substance users, homeless, and/or associated with gang activity. Our Podcast Terminando con la Trata seeks to provide prevention strategies to put an end to the exploitation of human beings. http://terminandoconlatrata.org
Training and equipping university students
This past week, one of our leaders spent a day training university students to grow in their understanding of Christian Community through interactive games, a workshop, and times of prayer for students’ needs. University students start their school year this month, and we are launching another “Promover Pasión” (our level one student training). Pray for these students in the province of Entre Rios this next month as they dive into a small group experience and deepen their walk with the Lord.
Upcoming events:
- Community Bible Experience - challenging university students to read the NT in 40 days, in community
- Online std training course: Atrévete a Pensar - developing apologetic skills
- Online std training discipleship course: Arquitectura del Discipulado - discipleship course
Family News
Two major announcements:
- We return to the US this July for our itineration, where we hope to visit many of our ministry partners. If you would like to schedule a visit, please connect with us.
- Our daughter Sofia was accepted and will be attending Wheaton College this Fall!
Many of you knew me (Gilbert) when I was single. You prayed for me to get married. You then prayed for Virginia and me, and we had Sofia. You have seen her grow up over the years, and today you can celebrate God’s faithfulness as she embarks on a new journey.
Send her a message: Sofia.B.Contreras@icloud.com
Send her a gift (you can contribute to her college fund via PayPal, Venmo or Square)
Prayer Requests:
- Health: Continue to pray for God’s protection as we move around the country.
- Finances: We are nearing the end of our term and nearing the end of our ministry funds! If you are able, would you consider sending in a special gift, enabling us to continue training and empowering throughout the country? Give online: http://s1.ag.org/contrerassupport
