I’m thrilled at the incredible time we had with our brothers and sisters who lead churches in Lima and Trujillo, Peru; Quito, Ecuador; Caracas, Venezuela; and Cali, Medellin, Zipaquira and of course Bogota, Colombia.

Some of you may have read the well-known book, Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors. I am writing this as Diane and I are flying back from the leadership retreat of the Andean Group that was held in Bogota, Colombia. I want to report that the churches in the Andean area are alive. All involved agreed that it was by far the best retreat we have had together since we started meeting together as a group in Caracas in 2005. Each retreat has seemed to build in unity, in focus, in a sense of family and in a common purpose.

The Bogota staff did an excellent job arranging facilities and organizing details. The retreat was held in beautiful retreat center nestled in a valley about an hour outside of Bogota. Luis Miguel Valenzuela who leads the campus ministry in the Bogota church made all the arrangements for the venue and served as coordinator and did a great job as clock watcher, keeping us on schedule. As a teacher in the Greater Nashville Church and stateside coordinator of the Mid South churches mission efforts in South America, I led the group each morning in a study of Philippians, focused on Paul’s great Christ centered emphasis on relationships and unity.

Flavio Uribe, evangelist of the Bogota church taught a class on preaching each day that included an evaluation of the messages and delivery of the five brothers who had the courage to preach under the critical eyes of their fellow church leaders. This exercise helped all of us to continue to improve in our ability to communicate the message. Flavio also taught a series of classes on church building and led a discussion each day on this important topic.

With my wife Diane we taught a class on marriage and family issues. Diane was also able to lead several classes with the sisters based in part on Virginia Lefler’s book, A Gentle and Quiet Spirit.

The culmination of the retreat was the worship Sunday with the Bogata church. Although about 70 couples were away at a marriage retreat, still the building was packed. Cesar Herrera, evangelist of the Lima church led our thoughts in communion and Flavio Uribe preached a powerful sermon based on the story of the demoniac in Mark 5.

A number of visitors were present, including a family who just passed by looking for a church and were so impacted that they approached Flavio after the message to find out how to get connected. We rejoiced as well with the two who were baptized. After the service we were treated to a meal prepared by some of the sisters in the Bogota church.

As always, partings are tough, as we leave each other and return to our respective countries, but we are excited to gather again in March to help the Caracas, Venezuela church, now led by Werner and Leticia Galeano, to celebrate their tenth anniversary.

I want to ask you to pray for all the work our brothers are doing and for the social and economic stability of these countries in northern South America. Pray that God will give them peace and doors will continue to open as our brothers remain Alive, preaching God’s message