The Church of the Nazarene in Peru held a national pastors’ retreat 23-27 October in the Cerrado Ayaymama Colosseum in Moyobamba. The retreat was called “At a Steady Pace” and was organized by the Peru National Board of the Church of the Nazarene.

More than 600 pastors and leaders from all over the country attended, nearly all of whom said the retreat was a blessing to Peru.

“This retreat was really what we needed,” said Ediberto Solano, South District superintendent. “God has ordered and aligned our thoughts and, more importantly, the mission to which we are called. Going to the altar to renounce what was ours was very meaningful. This new anointing will take us to new levels of God’s grace, we start 2019 with a steady pace.”

Colombian pastor Francisco Jamoco spoke about finances, local educator and pastor Jhonatan Salgado spoke on the themes of whole family health and dangers in pastoral families, and Technical Secretary of the Peruvian Congress Tomas Gutierrez spoke on pastoral challenges and the history of the Church of the Nazarene in Peru. 

The music was led by the band Courageous from the Church of the Nazarene Lugar de Bendición. South America Regional Director Christian Sarmiento and General Superintendent David Busic preached at the event. 

“Nazarenes are a people of grace and peace,” Busic said. “[There is a] need for personal and social holiness, instantaneous and progressive holiness, and spiritual and practical holiness [in Peru].”

Many of the pastors were moved by this call to pursue holiness in their personal and social lives.

“The retreat has been a great blessing and challenge for our lives in ministry,” said David Robles, pastor of the Pueblo Libre Church in Lima. “We feel challenged to carry on the message of holiness which God has entrusted to the Church of the Nazarene.”

Not only were pastors spiritually challenged at the retreat, but pastors were rejuvenated in fellowship with one another both in and out of worship and presentations. 

“The extraordinary part has been meeting with friends and colleagues serving the same Lord,” said Edilberto Hernandes, pastor of the Canto Grande Church in Lima. “This has been wonderful.”

The national retreat motivated pastors to go back to their churches and continue making Christlike disciples in the nations.

“I give thanks to God for giving me the opportunity to have participated in this national pastors’ retreat,” said Gino Perez, pastor at the Parachique Church on the North Pacific District. “For me, it was a renewal from God and all of the topics covered were important and necessary for my life and ministry. Thanks be to God for our leaders who organized this retreat and just about every pastor could receive from God because as pastors we are always giving.”

--Church of the Nazarene South America