3rd Quarter 2009 Update brad.walz@agmd.org Sent via: Email News List Address: Alvear 1305 /1640 Martinez(b) /Buenos Aires, Argentina VOIP Phone:1-614-358-3918
International Invitations Give Unique Opportunity to Impact 44 nations.
The missions department of Argentina that Brad leads is the largest missions department in Latin America. (of all denominations) It is also one of the largest Assemblies of God Missions the great commission to the church, not only to a “western world” that has a greater amount of resources. Missions doesn’t begin with money, it begins with “people.” Jesus did not say in Luke 10:2: “The harvest is great and the money is scarce.” He said “The workers are few.” Because of the growth and example of Argentina, doors continually open to share in international contexts, encouraging other countries to shed the “we can’t do it because we don’t have a first world economy” mentality. They realize that God is calling their young people, and they must prepare the structures to send them. Though opportunities to share like that are common, it was a unique opportunity and an invitation by Dr. George Wood, Superintendent of not only the United States Assemblies of God, but currently the president of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, to share in two events, one in Asia and one in Europe, just a matter of two weeks apart. Thus Brad was able to be in Hong Kong May 21-25th, and Budapest, Hungary, June 9-10th, to share before 44 superintendents, from two key regions. It was a strategic opportunity, and to touch 44 leaders and countries in 2 settings, was
Sharing before leaders from 22 countries of Europe, in Budapest, Hungary, June 9-10th.
Departments in the world, even larger than many western agencies in Europe. (not in income, but in workers) Beyond the symbolism of that, there is the “vision” behind it: that all countries with a national church that is established and mature, (and in many cases “larger”) become involved in the sending of missionaries, because Jesus gave
worth the travel and time to do so. It was an opportunity to impact 44 nations in a short time. As well as new contacts and invitations for Latin missionaries. Several countries said, “Please send us an Argentine or Latin missionary to help in our Bible School, or to help in setting up a missions department.” The taped messages Brad took back with him to Argentina caused 300 Bible School students to end a chapel “on their knees,” once again hearing a challenge of a Macedonian call: “Please, come, and help us!” Dr. Wood congratulated Brad after the session in Budapest and said, “That really energized our time of discussion and planning for the future.”
Finally to our generous churches and their faithfulness and even in some cases, special offerings given late in 2008, to respond to these invitations. Latin America still has a long way to go. But it is growing, learning, and moving forward. (tables at the end of this newsletter) We thank God for the chance to impact not just Latin America, but Asia, Europe, and the world!
Our 9th annual Latin Missions Leaders meeting in Nicaragua: a record attendance and a expectation for the future!
Brad with Dr. George Wood in Budapest. Brad thanks first of all his family for allowing him to travel so much in a busy time of the year, as Matthew was graduating from High School. (they flew out the same night, though on different planes, Matthew to the US and Brad to Europe) As well, to his staff for giving him the freedom to travel and have things keep on going.
Pictures: One of the sessions in the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Below: Brad sharing in a session on leadership.
Brad sharing in Hong Kong with 22 leaders.
April 20-24, 2009, were the dates of our 9th annual Latin Missions Leaders Missions consultation. This “network,” started formally in 1997, and in 2000 had it’s first ever in Panama. The event this year was held in Managua, Nicaragua, and was historical in every sense of the word! (expectation for the future, continued)
It was historical in numbers: there were 209 in attendance from 19 countries. (Previously 104 from 17 countries) It was historical in terms of the representation of leadership: Many superintendents, sparked with a burden for Europe, held a summit before our event praying how Latin America can respond in helping the European church with the challenges of the growth of Islam on their continent. It was also historical to see again the “expectation for the future.” The sense of momentum and excitement at what God is doing in so many countries, is of great delight! We know Latin America is being a “motor” to challenge Asia and Africa, in stepping up the plate and fulfilling their potential! God is truly raising up a new generation of Latin leaders with a passion to reach the world.
Brad: I turned 50 on June 18th. My wife surprised me with a “surprise” (really) birthday party, with lots of our Argentine friends and staff! It was a special memory! Thanks Rhonda!
A gift from our office staff: The Argentine national Football team jersey with my name and the number “50” on it.
Our Argentine delegation of 16 in attendance in the historial event in Managua.
Important Upcoming Dates:
Aug. 14-16th: Our annual Potential Future Missionaries retreat with 100 plus young people wanting to go out within 10 years. Nov. 2nd-6th: Our annual General Council and the change to sow missions among 2,500 leaders.
So we rejoice with 9 years of history, and look forward to the 10th annual consultation and 4th congress next year in Panama! The End
To our financial partners, thank you for your faithful and generous support! You have always been faithful, but to see that faithfulness continue in the midst of our world economic crisis, inspires us even more! And thanks to our prayer partners, thank you for backing us in prayer. As many of you know, we are staying an extra year, through 2010, to allow Amanda to graduate from high school here. That extra year, along with higher than normal inflation in Argentina, has put a strain on our budget. If you are able to help with a extra or one time gift, please send it to: Assemblies of God World Missions, 1445 N. Boonville Ave, Springfield, MO, 65802, marked for: Brad and Rhonda Walz, Account 219887. Thanks so much for your constant generosity! (To do so online, you can go to this internet address:) at the school of missions https://secure1.ag.org/contributions/detail.cfm?LedgerID=62a88e41-186b-48ce-8113-d97da0e5b238
Matthew and Amanda’s Corner
Matthew has chosen to attend Vanguard University in Southern California. He left our home the day after graduating, June 7th, and is now on his first “adventure” of his first job (thank you to the MK program for that opportunity to work at School of Missions) and a excellent “Missionary Kid Re-entry seminar” in Seattle WA. We then see him in early August to help get him settled into college. Thank you for your prayers for Matthew in this time, but even more so for his parents! (☺) ☺
Hey Everyone!
I AM FINALLY ON SUMMER VACATION and I’m a Senior!!!! (It is winter here though, but we’ll enjoy some US summer later). That has been the highlight of the past few weeks for me, plus soon I will soon be in Seattle visiting a college (my fifth and last before I make my decision where I’ll be going in a year). And then I’ll get to be with Matthew as my parents help him get settled in California at Vanguard University. The last few weeks of school were tough with exams and last minute projects, but I got the surprise of winning a “Meet and Greet” pass for the Jonas Brothers when they visited Buenos Aires! It was amazing; needless to say that made the last weeks better. I also found out that I am the editor of the school’s paper for next year. I like writing and I’m looking into Journalism as an option for the future, so that was a good surprise as well. Now I am looking to vacation. I have a lot of things planned for when we are in Washington, like visiting Forks (the setting of “Twilight”), watching the Seattle Sounders and the Mariners games, and doing some sight-seeing. It will be our last family vacation before Matthew is in college so we want to make the most of it! Bye!
Hey Everyone,
It’s still hard for me to realize I’ve graduated, left Argentina, and am starting to live on my own. It seems like a whirlwind. So much so fast. I really enjoyed my first job. Not having that chance in high school like many would, this was a great experience for me. I helped out in “logistics” to 18 girls working in the nursery for the Missionary orientation programs in Springfield. I really enjoyed it. Everyone was teasing me about how rough I had it working with 18 girls. But I made lots of new friends and it was a great month. I’m now looking forward to a MK re-entry seminar next week and then soon to get settled in Costa Mesa, CA. Thanks for the many graduation cards and gifts, and as well praying for me all these years. Please don’t stop just yet! ☺ And my mom needs it even more than I do! As we say in Argentina, “Chau!”
Amanda Walz
(Picture: Amanda, in the “Meet and Greet” that she won for the Buenos Aires Jonas Brothers concert; she was on cloud nine!)
Matt Walz****
Statistics for Latin America
(Missions Sending and Giving of the 22 Countries belonging to “Missions Together” -Misiones en Conjunto)
- April 2009 (For year 2008) Country Foreign Missionari es sent out 140 2 11 No Info 11 13 10 0 8 83 8 10 8 58 9 13 7 9 15 6 11 38 480 470 12 352 344 14 300 10 Domestic Transcultural missionari es 8 Total Mission aries Number of Countries with workers Number of Interce ssors 20.035 0 49 No Info 450 3.000 0 10.000 0 0 120 5.000 6.080 5.000 10.000 500 1.800 0 1.500 2.700 500 10.407 72 68.389 77.941 Total Missionary Giving /Income for the year in US Dollars 932.096.63 17.200,00 27.000,00 No Info 44.180,00 105.000,00 70.000,00 0 38.000,00 380.000,00 270.000,00 110.863,85 99.325,37 500.000,00 24.000,00 63.732,23 95.308,00 19.000,00 108.000,00 60.000,00 117.929,35 580.194,10 3.564.032 $3.661.829,53
Argentina Belice Bolivia Brasil Chile Colombia Costa Rica Cuba Ecuador El Salvador Spain Guatemala Honduras México Nicaragua Panamá Paraguay Perú Puerto Rico Rep. Dominicana Uruguay Venezuela Total Year before
148 2 11 No Info 11 23 10 0 8 83 8 10 8 358 9 27 7 9 15 6 11 50 832 814
Total
Latin America: Offerings by each Country, and as an average per Church
Table: The Number of churches for each country (based on the Data base of AGWM, USA) and the missions offerings of each country, followed by the per church average. First figure is autonomous churches, and the second figure includes “satellite” or “annex” churches, that are common in Latin America, usually a smaller work that is dependent on a mother church. All amounts are in US Dollars. All information is only for the Assemblies of God and doesn’t include other denominations or independent churches. Country Number of Churches Number of Annexes or Satellite churches Total of the two Total Missionary Offerings in 2008 Average annual amount per church Average Monthly amount per church Average annual amount of “total” (both churches and annexes) $807,00 $232,43 $14,26 $62,22 $97,13 $103,85 $111,43 $139,71 $1.088,71 $21,61 $53,95 $84,11 $14,39 $49,91 $229,25 $5,31 $551,02 $28,09 $382,71 $689,64 $109,16 Average monthly amount of “total” (both churches and annexes) $67,30 $19,36 $1,18 $5,18 $8,09 $8,65 $9,28 $11,64 $ 90,71 $1,80 $4,50 $7,00 $1,20 $4,16 $19,10 $0,44 $45,91 $2,34 $23,64 $57,47 $9,10
Argentina Belice Bolivia Chile Colombia Costa Rica Ecuador El Salvador Spain Guatemala Honduras México Nicaragua Panamá Paraguay Perú Puerto Rico Rep. Dom. Venezuela Uruguay TOTAL: CONCLUSION:
676 50 1.584 273 648 298 341 1.720 134 2.707 1.126 4.281 953 912 148 2.731 196 1.118 930 127 20.953
478 24 309 437 433 376 0 1.000 112 2.422 715 1.663 714 365 268 844 0 1.018 1.116 44 12.338
1.154 74 1.893 710 1.081 624 341 2.720 248 5.129 1.841 5.944 1.667 1.277 416 3.575 196 2.136 2.346 171 33.543
$932.096,63 $17.200,00 $27.000,00 $44.180,00 $105.000,00 $70.000,00 $38.000,00 $380.000,00 $270.000,00 $110.863,85 $99.325,00 $500.000,00 $24.000,00 $63.732,00 $95.368,00 $19.000,00 $108.000,00 $60.000,00 $580.194,00 $117.929,35 $3.661.888,83
$1.378,84 $344,00 $17,04 $161,83 $162,03 $234,89 $111,43 $220,93 $2.14,92 $40,95 $88,21 $116,79 $25,18 $69,88 $644,37 $6,95 $551,02 $53,66 $621,88 $928,07 $174,76
$114,90 $28,66 $1,42 $13,48 $13,50 $19,57 $9,28 $18,41 $167,91 $3,41 $7,35 $9,73 $2,10 $5,82 $53,69 $0,58 $45,91 $4,47 $51,82 $77,38 $14,56
The average of missionary offerings “per church” in Latin America is $174,76 per year, or $14,56 per month. If we incluye satellite churches or anexes, it is $109,16 per church per year, or $9,10 per month. If every church in Latin America would give just $100 per month, we would increase our missions living to $25,102,800.00 (using the more conservative church only amount, not including satellite/annexes); in other words, 25 million dollars a year, with only $100 dollars a month per church. May God help us take up this challenge!
Bonus Text to Close out our Newsletter: Quote from J. Philip Hogan, leader of A/G Missions, in the A/G magazine “Advance,” May, 1987. “What are the critical issues facing Assemblies of God missions for the remainder of this decade and into the next century? As part of the fastest growing national body overseas, we have a special burden and responsibility to build Third World Missionary Endeavors. We must use our influence to direct these Assemblies of God bodies overseas toward staying on the frontier of evangelism and church planting. Long ago we accepted the fact there will never be enough American dollars or American missionaries to fulfill the commission given by Jesus Christ. Therefore, the best piece of missionary work we will ever do is to inspire the churches we have helped bring into being to be missionaries themselves!”