General Superintendent Stan Toler (left) and Dr. Christian Sarmiento (right), regional director of South America.

Dr. Stan Toler, jurisdictional general superintendent for the South America Region, reports: “The Church of the Nazarene in South America is growing and fulfilling the mission to make Christlike disciples in the nations.” Dr. Toler, accompanied by his wife, Linda, recently made his first international regional tour as a general superintendent to visit South America districts and conduct assembly business. Spirit-anointed services in 11 district assemblies in Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Peru were marked by enthusiastic worship, youthful and talented musicians, and altars filled with people seeking sanctification.  

Dr. Toler expressed the honor he felt to ordain elders in the Church of the Nazarene for the first time as a general superintendent. The first male ordinand was Rev. Sergio Matus of the Chile Central District, and the first female ordinand was Rev. María Alejandrina Santos Alvernoz de Rivera on the Argentina Cuyo District. Rev. Alvernoz was converted in 1967 while listening to “La Hora Nazarena” (“The Nazarene Hour”) radio broadcast. Without the benefits of education or finances, she accepted a call to preach. She contacted a local businessman for help in starting a church. Even though at that time he was not a Christian, he gave her land and helped her build the church. Ultimately he found Christ through her faithful witnessing to him.

The first female elder Dr. Toler ordained was Rev. María Alejandrina Santos Alvernoz de Rivera on the Argentina Cuyo District.

Dr. Toler was the first general superintendent to preside over the Paraguay Sur District assembly in its 13-year history. There he presented honors to Rev. Orlando Muñoz, who had served as the only superintendent of this district and was retiring. During his 13 years as district superintendent, Rev. Muñoz planted 13 churches, the newest of which was organized this year with 25 charter members.

A strong theological education system in South America was evident. The Seminario Teológico Nazareno del Cono Sur in Buenos Aires currently is serving over 400 students in the online, extension, and resident programs in Argentina and Uruguay.

Dr. Toler preached at the 19th of July Church of the Nazarene in Lima, Peru.

In a meeting with missionaries and their children serving in Argentina, the Tolers were impressed by their dedication, team spirit, and optimistic attitude. They also met many young leaders participating in Nazarene Extreme 40/40, in which 40 Peruvian youth and 40 youth from the USA and Canada, ages 18 to 24, are serving as two-year volunteers with the goal of planting 120 Nazarene churches in Peru. Four churches have already been launched, each of which has an attendance of more than 50 people.

“On our first general superintendent missionary journey to South America, we fell in love with the leaders and the people called Nazarenes in all five countries that we visited,” said Dr. Toler. “We thank God for His anointing that rested upon us as we ministered together. To God be the glory!”