The National Pastors’ Retreat of the Church of the Nazarene in Bolivia was held on 4-6 July 2025, with the theme “Be Careful,” based on 1 Timothy 4:16. The event brought together 330 participants, including pastors and pastoral families, from the country’s six districts: the Upper Northwest, La Paz, the Central Region, the South, the Yungas, and Santa Cruz.
Held in Colcapirhua, Cochabamba, the retreat focused on three main emphases: self-care, family care, and preaching care. It was a time of edification and fellowship, marked by the presence of two special guests: Evelio Vásquez, field strategy coordinator, and Jorge Julca, rector of Seminario Teologico del Nazareno Cono Sur, who shared challenging messages that strengthened the pastoral call.
On the first night, Vásquez shared a profound and necessary word: “Take care of yourself.” He emphasized that individuals are not separate compartments, but a whole created with a purpose: to glorify God. He reaffirmed that since only a healthy leader can serve with excellence, taking care of oneself is not selfish but an act of obedience and spiritual responsibility. The call was clear: live with intention, take care of oneself, and reflect Christ in all areas of life.
On the second day, Julca taught about “The Pastor and His First Flock,” emphasizing that ministry begins in the home, not in the pulpit. He addressed the challenge of raising children in ministry, emphasizing the legacy and significance of authentic faith lived out.
In one of the workshops, Herman Alcántara challenged pastors to fulfill the role assigned by God, leading their homes with example, humility, and service; loving their wives as Christ loves them; providing holistically; respecting them in everyday experiences; and leaving a spiritual legacy for their children.
The recreational afternoon provided moments of fellowship and joy, featuring an inter-district soccer tournament that crowned the El Alto Noroeste District champion and fostering an atmosphere of camaraderie among pastors of all ages.
On the final day, the focus was on the care of preaching. Evelio Vásquez returned to the pulpit to share a powerful message, “Preaching with Passion,” inspired by the book of Acts. He recalled the episode in which the apostle Paul, wounded and unjustly accused, managed to silence a hostile crowd with his mere presence. It was a powerful example of preaching filled with passion, spiritual authority, and conviction. Vásquez affirmed that pastors can counsel, visit, and administer, but if they do not preach with passion, the church loses its relevance.
The retreat concluded with a special time of prayer for all of Bolivia, where everyone cried out together for revival in the churches, homes, and the nation. It was a time of renewal, reflection, and restoration.
–Church of the Nazarene South America