The South America Region welcomed two new field strategy coordinators this month. 

Southern Cone Field

Alessandro Polonio has been appointed field strategy coordinator for the Southern Cone. Global Missions Director Verne Ward, in consultation with General Superintendent Gustavo Crocker and Regional Director Christian Sarmiento, appointed Polonio for this position. His role in this new position began 1 September. Juan José Zani, the previous coordinator, will continue to assist in the transition until 1 January 2020.

The Polonio family is originally from Brazil. Alessandro, after his pastoral call, studied at ETED and also received a bachelor’s degree in economic sciences from the PUCCAMP University in Brazil and a leadership specialization from the Haggai Institute. He also received a bachelor’s degree in theology from the Nazarene Theological Seminary in Brazil. His wife, Cristiane, studied at the Nazarene Theological Faculty. She also has a degree in music from UNICAMP University and another degree in pedagogy from UNIP in Brazil. Alessandro and Cristiane, together with another pastoral couple, planted a church in Sousas, Brazil, where they pastored until their move in 2013 to Chile to serve as missionaries. Alessandro also serves as the national Holistic Ministries coordinator and Cristiane serves as the child sponsorship coordinator for Chile. Both are elders of the Church of the Nazarene.

Alessandro and Cristiane Polonio, along with their daughters Raquel and Sara, will be moving to Pilar, Argentina, soon.

The Church of the Nazarene in South America is grateful to Juan José Zani and his wife, Mercedes, for their service. Juan José has served for more than 13 years as field strategy coordinator for the Southern Cone. The Zanis have been missionaries with the Church of the Nazarene since April 2006 and will begin their retirement process in January 2020 with one year of home assignment. 

Central Andean Field

Verne Ward, in consultation with general superintendents David Busic and Gustavo Crocker and Regional Director Christian Sarmiento, has appointed José Evelio Vásquez as coordinator for the Central Andean Field.

Evelio Vásquez served as rector of the Nazarene Theological Seminary in Peru, where he received his associate and bachelor's degrees. He earned a master’s degree in church mission at the Nazarene seminary in Quito, Ecuador, through an agreement with Nazarene Seminary of the Americas and a Doctorate of Ministry from Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, USA.

Evelio and his wife, Gladis, have three children: Jocelyn, Gabriela, and Randy.