How We Got Started: Chile
The birth of a movement in Chile
It was 1996 when the brother Ed Trenner visited our brothers and sisters of the Charis Alliance in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In a solemn moment, he uttered these words:
“Think of something big, something impossible for you… If God told you to do it, and that you would not fail, what would you do?”
This resonated strongly with José Sepúlveda, a Chilean welder who was a member of the Iglesia de La Esperanza in Wilde.
He had grown up in a traditional evangelical family, meeting at his grandparents' house, which they dedicated for the church to meet. When he was 20, he moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and while attending a Christian church, he realized that he did not know the message of the gospel. There he was converted, and over time, he realized that this situation was repeated in most of his relatives in Chile. They practiced a religion but did not know salvation through Jesus Christ.
So, José, encouraged by David Guiles, who was a missionary in Argentina at the time, told the Lord that if he would not fail, he wanted to return to Chile to reach his family for Christ.
Moved by this vision, José Sepúlveda arrived in Curicó with his wife, Susana, and their two daughters in the summer of 1998. In the midst of various trials, they quickly began to share the Word with neighbors and relatives, who, although they were mostly “evangelicals,” did not know the Lord as Savior.
In 2001, missionaries Edson and Ivanise Silva from Brazil joined him with their children, as did missionary Adriana Camandona from Argentina. Soon they were joined by brother Juan Sáez, a Chilean who had lived for many years in Rio Cuarto, Argentina, where he had come to know the Lord as his Savior, and was now returning to his country. He married Adriana Camandona, and they were approved as Charis missionaries and continue to serve to this day in Curicó.
The growth of the movement in Chile
During these years, several people joined the ministry, either for visits of days or weeks, months or years. Esteban Bailey, then a missionary in Argentina, supported them continually with his faithful visits and loving mentoring. When he returned to the United States, he was replaced by Eduardo Pizzi, who provided his faithful and constant support.
Many evangelistic efforts were made in different neighborhoods of the community. Handing out brochures, making visits, and conducting Bible studies with many people. Meetings began to be held in the homes of brothers and sisters every Sunday, and also during the week in other homes of people interested in learning more about the Lord. Points of light were also started in other locations, such as Sarmiento, where it lasted for about two years.
One of the focal points of the work has been the study of the Word and the training of leaders, conducting workshops and even involving leaders from other denominations.
For many years, activities were held with children, adolescents, and young people.
The Silvas left Chile in early 2015, returning to their homeland in Belém do Pará.
During these years, many confessed to give their lives to the Lord, people who gathered for a time but then moved away, joined other churches, or simply rejected the message. The Lord knows the hearts.
For the past 10 years, they have been meeting regularly on Sundays at a neighborhood center, which has a hall and a multi-purpose court that they can use for the recreational activities they often carry out.
During the week, there are group or one-on-one discipleship sessions, women's and men's meetings, and prayer meetings.
From its inception, this ministry has had a multicultural character, and it continues to be so. The team was made up of Chileans, Brazilians, Argentines, Americans, and now Haitians and Venezuelans. “The nations have come to us”, they say.
A call to prayer and support
This continues to be a ministry that strives to grow and reach others for Christ.
There is a great need for young people who are involved and committed to service.
For people who are trained to work with children, youth, and teenagers, and are willing to start something among them.
