Dr. Gunter spoke to wives of district superintendents on the MAC Region. One of them brought her original Kekchi clothing.

Nina G. Gunter, jurisdictional general superintendent for the Mexico and Central America Region (MAC), recently presided over nine district assemblies in 12 days across El Salvador and Guatemala. She was accompanied at each of them by her husband, Moody Gunter; regional director Dr. and Mrs. Carlos Saenz; Israel Acosta, MAC Central Field strategy coordinator; and Ulisses Solís, MAC Central Field coordinator for Sunday School and NMI.
   
From the El Salvador East District, where the people “exploded with praise to God” to the Guatemala Franja Occidental (West) District where the assembly began with the stirring presentation of both the United States and Guatemala national anthems, business sessions and worship services were blessed with the presence of the Lord.

Dr. Gunter preached through a Spanish interpreter and in most of the Guatemalan district assemblies through both Spanish and Kekchi interpreters. In the Guatemala Verapaz del Norte District assembly, the day began with greetings in four languages: English, Spanish, Kekchi, and Pokonchi.

In nine assemblies, in the Spanish language she ordained 20 as elders in the Church of the Nazarene. On the Guatemala Atlantic District, where she ordained four Kekchi men, Dr. Gunter said, “I was humbled by the puddles of tears that they and their wives left on the chairs with their awareness that God calls the least of us. The presence of God was mightily recognized in our midst.”

The El Salvador West District assembly met in the rebuilt Church of the Nazarene in Santa Tacla. In 2001 an earthquake destroyed the church, and the pastor’s family and several members died in the mud slides. Multiple Work and Witness teams have since helped build a beautiful new church building. This district reported a 100 percent increase in its giving for the World Evangelism Fund this year.

The Guatemala Southeast District organized one new church, started 13 new missions, and granted 25 local ministers licenses, a phenomenal number for this district.  Of the 1.3 million population in the geographic area of the district, only 14 percent are evangelical believers. The district superintendent challenged the people with faith-filled goals to evangelize and make disciples. 

The Guatemala Atlantic District organized two new churches, started 27 new missions, and welcomed 158 new Nazarenes, an increase of 95 over last year. During the year the district had evangelism and discipleship workshops, a Centennial Celebration on every zone, and Work and Witness teams helping with six projects.

At the Guatemala North District assembly, following Dr. Gunter’s message, at least 100 of the 150 people in attendance came to the altar to receive God’s grace and mercy. Afterwards they sang triumphantly “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.” “God came in great power,” said Dr. Gunter. “My own soul was blessed with God’s mighty presence.”

This district is also the location of Island of Flores, a tourist area where the city leaders allow only one Catholic church and one Protestant church. The Protestant church is the Church of the Nazarene, one of the most respected churches in the northern part of Guatemala, especially noted for its years of outstanding ministry among the Kekchi.

Guatemala North Cobán District organized four new churches, 38 new missions, and welcomed 422 new Nazarenes.

Guatemala West District had been blessed by Work and Witness teams from the United States Mid-Atlantic District this year to build and furnish two churches. The JESUS Film ministry is very effective here with a strong district emphasis on evangelism. Three new churches were organized, and 572 new Nazarenes were received into membership.

Guatemala Verapaz del Norte District assembly held in Cobán, the historic hub of the Kekchi work of the Church of the Nazarene, organized one new church. The factory at the Nazarene Seminary in Guatemala City continues to build prefabricated chapels, benefiting all surrounding districts. This district also sponsors several medical clinics and a motherhood clinic and intentionally focuses on providing medical assistance for pastors.

 “I am always blessed when I visit Cobán,” said Dr. Gunter, “where Missionary Richard Simpson Anderson and his wife began the Nazarene work. This is also where William and Betty Sadat, whom I have known, began the Kekchi translation work with a written alphabet, a dictionary, and the New Testament. I was told that because the Church of the Nazarene was the first to reach the people with the written Word, today at least one in three persons in the Cobán area is a Nazarene.” Other great missionaries and nationals have served well across more than 100 years of Nazarene history in Guatemala. In 1949–50 the very first gift of Alabaster money was made to the Nazarene Bible Institute in Cobán. The Nazarene Bible Institute now operates 10 centers with 250 students in extension education. “To minister personally in these mission areas that are rich in history stirs the mission flame in my own heart” she said.

In Costa Rica Dr. Gunter participated in the dedication of the new regional office facilities and conducted a conference for the regional district superintendents and spouses. “The conference was blessed with God’s presence,” she reported. “There was a fresh vision of His harvest fields.” Dr. Moody Gunter presented seminars on church finance. In addition, the district superintendents received training and information on communicating purpose and nurturing leaders through leadership principles and enriched fellowship.
 
“The nine assemblies during 12 full days in El Salvador and Guatemala and the conference in Costa Rica were blessed of the Lord,” Dr. Gunter said. “These are the last international district assemblies on my docket. We are grateful for the good, solid Nazarenes on the MAC Region. It has been a joy to work, worship, and fellowship with them and with Dr. and Mrs. Saenz.”