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Church NewsMinistry Highlights

Church Members Minister in Peru

By August 19, 2015No Comments

Peru2_inlinePANA, Ill.—Thirteen members from First Baptist Church spent 10 days ministering in Trujillo, Peru. They served alongside Baptist Mid-Missions missionaries Jonathan and Julie Stilwell, whom First Baptist has supported for many years.

While in Peru, the team, ages 17 to 72, kept a busy schedule. They ministered through music, puppets, telling Bible stories, and presenting the gospel using the “wordless book” at two churches. Members also shared their salvation testimonies through a translator. The team’s leader, Pastor Josh Palma, preached in Spanish. The team also worked at Fortress Baptist Camp for two days and helped prepare the dormitories for students at Peru Baptist Bible College, a partner with GARBC International Ministries. Alongside members of the Stilwells’ church, the team held a kids’ club at a neighborhood park one afternoon, where they presented the gospel to over 50 kids and 50 adults.

First Baptist Church viewed this missions trip as being for its entire church family, even if not everyone could go to Peru. The church supported the trip by giving its people, time, finances, and prayer. It was the team’s desire to serve as ambassadors for the Lord Jesus Christ and First Baptist Church. “Our greatest joy while in Peru,” says Pastor Josh Palma, “was the interaction with the Peruvian believers. Though there was a language barrier for most of us, they overcame that barrier through their reception of us and outpouring of Christlike love.”