Around 100 people gathered in Córdoba, Argentina in April, for an “enriching” time celebrating 15 years of Langham Preaching in the country.
Nearly 100 people gathered to gives thanks for 15 years of Langham Preaching in Argentina.
Former Langham Preaching Director Jonathan Lamb and his wife Margaret were special guests at the event, which was led by Igor Améstegui (Director, Latin America) and Wilfredo Weigandt (Country Coordinator).
Theologian René Padilla joined the celebrations from Buenos Aires, giving six Bible talks alongside Jonathan.
Meaningful and enriching
Wilfredo said these were “a pleasure and a privilege” to listen to, and that the weekend was “meaningful and enriching”. The participants also celebrated the Lord’s Supper together.
Guest Jonathan Lamb and Latin American Director Igor Améstegui.
He said: “We received with much joy brothers and sisters from Chile and Bolivia, many from several cities across Argentina, and pastors from seven different denominations.”
When this ministry began in 2003, Langham Partnership’s International Ministries Director Chris Wright led the first training event in the city of Villa María for 37 people.
Focus on transformation
Wilfredo said the work had a hesitant start: “We couldn’t give the seminars continuity – they were mere ‘events’ instead of focussing on transforming preachers.
Langham Preaching began in Argentina with a seminar in 2003, led by Chris Wright.
“Also, it was hard to coordinate local groups with natural leaders, which led to ‘lonely’ people who abandoned the seminars.”
But now Langham Preaching has gained huge momentum in Argentina, with preaching seminars taking place in 12 Argentinian cities and 12 ‘facilitators’ (trainers) taking responsibility for their own areas.
Creating a movement
Langham Preaching always focuses on creating a “movement” within a country, training indigenous leaders to network with each other, rather than simply putting on events.
Participants browsing the bookstall during the celebrations.
Wilfredo is so thankful to God for growing the work in his country, and asks for prayer that He would continue the ministry.
“I pray that God would give us His spirit to carry on in Argentina. As I shared during the celebrations, the challenge is ‘to ask the God of the mission to do the mission of God’”.
The location for the celebrations was the campsite “Gilgal”, in the city of Bialet Massé, Córdoba Province, Argentina.