Dr. J. K. Warrick, jurisdictional general superintendent for the South America Region, recently emphasized God’s simple yet profound truth in John 3:16 that drew people to altars as he traveled throughout Ecuador, Venezuela, and Colombia, preaching in local churches, district assemblies, and ordination rallies.

Presiding over the Ecuador Sierra Centro district assembly, Dr. Warrick announced that the district had achieved approval as a Phase 3 (self-supporting) district. District Superintendent Mario Paredes led the district from Phase 1 to Phase 3 in seven years, and this year’s report included gains in almost every area. Rev. Paredes presented plaques to six pastors in recognition of their 25 or more years of pastoral service. Dr. Warrick says, “My heart was blessed as we congratulated these faithful servants of Christ.”

Another pastor on the Ecuador Sierra Centro District shared his testimony about his family’s move to a church five years ago that had only three members—himself, his wife, and their child. Through their prayer, fasting, and deep commitment and the grace of God, he reported the church now has 250 members, with 100 of those received as new members in the past one year.

After preaching in the San Juan de Calderón Church in Quito, Ecuador, a church established through the JESUS film ministry, where many came forward to be sanctified, Dr. Warrick presided over the Ecuador Sierra Norte district assembly. Four were ordained as new elders in the Church of the Nazarene. The district reported more than doubling their giving to World Evangelism Fund this year.

In the Venezuela Andino district assembly, the ordination service was held in the church pastored by Rev. Elena Camargo, wife of the district superintendent Rev. Rodolfo Camargo. Following Dr. Warrick’s message where many responded in surrender of their lives to God, Mrs. Camargo was ordained amid much celebration and joy.

Many also responded to the John 3:16 message at the Venezuela Llanos Occidentales district assembly, as young people came forward to offer themselves as servants of the Missionary God, and one new elder was ordained. The concluding district assembly of Venezuela Primero indicated that the growth of the Church of the Nazarene throughout Venezuela is nearly ten percent this year, a good increase over recent years.

At the conclusion of his South America tour, Dr. Warrick preached in the Cali, Colombia, House of Prayer Church of the Nazarene in all four Sunday morning services. More than 2,000 attended each of the four services, not including children, who met elsewhere, and youth, who worshipped on Saturday night. After Dr. Warrick’s John 3:16 message, over 100 first-time visitors came forward for prayer.

“The church in Ecuador, Columbia, and Venezuela continues to bring lost and broken people to faith in Christ,” says Dr. Warrick. “I rejoice in God's blessing upon our leaders and our wonderful lay people.  Our message of holiness resonates in the hearts of those looking for answers to life’s perplexing challenges.  This is our time. I trust we will walk through the open doors God places before us!”