Ministry where the land ends
by Jon Konnerup
Our missionaries in Chile, South America, have been told that the name Chile comes from the old, indigenous Mapuche word chilli, which means “where the land ends.”
Upon my arrival with Pastor Richard Edwards, BBFI Field Representative to Chile and pastor of First Coast Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL, in December 2013, we were told we had literally arrived at the end of the earth!
Chile is an isolated country, and because of its geographical boundaries some people have referred to it as an “island.” To the west is the broad Pacific, while the majestic cordillera of the Andes is on the east. The Atacama Desert, the driest, hottest desert in the world, is situated in the northern region. To the south lies Antarctica, with Chile being one of seven nations claiming ownership over specific areas of this polar region.
Because of its relative isolation from the rest of the Latin countries, this once-communist nation now a democratic republic, the Chilean people have developed their own unique culture and attitude. Her people are proud of their country and are very independent in their viewpoints. Chilean natives Pablo Neruda and Gabriela Mistral, in fact, have each been recipients of the Nobel Prize in literature.
The 2012 census tells us Chile’s population was 16,634,603. It is the highest- rated economic power on the continent and, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, ranks seventh worldwide. It touts a literacy rate of over 97 percent with more than 30 percent of the population having some sort of higher education. Spanish is the primary language, but nearly ten percent of Chileans speak English. Chile has major universities, and some of its law schools hold joint partnership with Yale University. The nation boasts top-rated medical facilities and a construction boom that built the tallest building in South America, the Gran Torre, standing at 874 feet.
Chile produces a third of the world’s copper and operates the largest copper mine in the world. Other major industries include agriculture, fishing, lumber, and tourism. Many of the most beautiful places on earth are found in Chile, from the great desert of the north, to the amazing volcanoes along the cordillera, to the lakes and glacier regions of the south.
There are over 2,300 islands in Chilean territory, including one of the most remote inhabited islands of the world, the famous Easter Island with its fascinating giant statues called moai. The Juan Fernandez Islands, home of the “Robinson Crusoe Island,” are another famous island chain in Chilean territory. It is reportedly named after the well-known book characterizing the life of a sailor who was rescued from these islands in 1709.
Missionaries in Chile consider themselves to be rescuers of a sort to the people of this wonderful place. When the first missionaries arrived in Chile, the population was approximately 90 percent Roman Catholic, with just a handful of evangelical or protestant churches. The most recent statistics show 67 percent of the population to be Catholic, around 16 percent evangelical/protestants, and nearly 12 percent claim no defined religion.
In 1955, Joe and Alta Lingo and Dick and Miriam Inlow were the first Baptist Bible Fellowship missionaries in Chile, arriving within a few weeks of each other. These missionaries established their first churches in the capital city, Santiago. Chilean pastors were prepared to take the first works, and eventually, other BBF missionaries began to arrive. Today, there are around 45 organized churches and missions being worked by BBFI missionaries, along with a team of over 25 national pastors. We were able to visit with each of our four missionary families during our stay.
Dave and Hope Reinhardt arrived in Chile in 1982 and have lived and worked in several cities, including Santiago, La Serena, and now in Iquique. They have been instrumental in the evangelization of many Chilean people and have trained and ordained several national pastors. They have been involved in the planting, organization, and preparation of church leaders in La Serena, Coquimbo, Copiapó, Ovalle, Osorno, Iquique, and other towns in the northern regions of the country. At this time, they ask you to pray for the growth of each of these works and for the construction of a new church in Iquique.
Dustin Reinhardt, David and Hope’s son, and his wife, Carla, arrived as missionaries to Chile in 2012. At this time they are working with Dustin’s parents to strengthen the churches in Iquique started several years ago. They plan to focus on planting new churches in the northern region around Iquique.
Dave and Peggy Disney also arrived in Chile in 1982, arriving on the same plane as the Reinhardts. While the Reinhardts focused on the northern half of the country, the Disneys concentrated their efforts on the central and southern regions. Starting with their first church in Concepcion, they have been able to help several of the young men saved under their ministry receive their formal Bible training and begin their own works. They have established churches and missions in Concepción, Constitución, Talca, Los Angeles, Santiago, and Algarrobo, as well as several smaller towns throughout the country. Until this year, Dave has been the missionary pastor of one of the first churches built by BBF missionaries in Santiago, but this church now has its first Chilean pastor. A few years ago the church in Santiago took on the task of sending their first Chilean pastor as a missionary to the country of Paraguay, and a church was founded while Pastor Ulloa was living and working there. Now one of the local men continues to pastor that church, and other Paraguayan churches continue to gain the benefit through the ministry of the Chilean churches. At this time, the Disneys ask for prayer as they continue the reconstruction of church buildings in Talca and Concepción which were damaged in the 2010 earthquake.
Joel and Wendy Solomon arrived in Chile in 2005 after having ministered in Colombia for several years. They have planted a church in the La Florida, a sector of Santiago. I had the opportunity to be with them in one of their services and thoroughly enjoyed the time of fellowship and sharing the Word of God with them. The people exhibited a genuine love for the Lord and for the lost around them. I was blessed by their friendship and interest in what is happening with the gospel around the world. They have been involved in Bible studies and have begun preparatory work for starting a mission in Valparaiso.
Since their approval in May 2013, Jeremiah and Tanya Rue are on deputation as BBFI missionaries to Chile. There are so many opportunities ahead for them in Chile and I know they desire to arrive and get to work as soon as possible. Please consider having them in your church to share their burden and passion for Chile. Let’s get them there as soon as possible.
There are two things that impressed me most during my visit to this country with Pastor Richard Edwards. First, I was impressed by the work that the missionaries have done through the years in training the national leaders. Our missionaries have established strong churches and have trained strong leaders to continue leading these churches. It was a joy to speak with national pastors and hear their zeal to see new churches started by their churches using those they are training themselves. Churches starting churches — isn’t that the way it should be done? I commend the past and present missionaries for their diligence to the Great Commission.
Second, Dave Disney and several national pastors shared that the Chilean churches are ready to spread the gospel beyond their borders. They want to join in with others who are sending their own to people who need to hear the truth of Jesus Christ. One pastor said, “Other pastors and I have been discussing this great need and desire, but we are not sure how to go about it.” Then he looked at me and said, “Because you work with the BBFI and all those missionaries around the world, you know how. Will you help us?” My heart jumped a few extra beats with joy, and we began a three-hour discussion about how to help the churches in Chile step further into the Great Commission and take the gospel to the uttermost parts of the world.
God is doing great things around the world. He has used our early missionaries to set the foundations and then those who have worked alongside the nationals to build an even stronger base. Around the world, we see the same desire as the pastors and churches in Chile — we want to take the gospel to the world.