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True Hunger

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I saw it this past week.

I was actually a late add-on to our church’s second Peru team this year. I had not intended to go, since I am planning to go on our third team in June. But after a few communication issues arose, I thought it best that I go and meet with two or three of the local pastors … face to face. In addition, our first team that went in January told me that one pastor wanted to host a leadership conference and he would like someone to come and help teach the conference.

Well … once I arrived, I discovered that I WAS the leadership conference. I was the only scheduled trainer. It was pretty intimidating. But, thank goodness, I had printed off a number of resources and teaching notes before I left home. There were 36 “students” registered for the training. That number included six lay-pastors of distant congregations, eight new cell group leaders in the evangelical church in Chaglla (all of them preparing to launch cell groups that will someday become house churches), and various other church members … including a delightful gaggle of preteen girls. Our team brought several cases of Bibles, and the “students” were thrilled beyond measure that they would receive a brand new Bible for their participation in the conference. I was completely blown away by their excitement over a $3 paperback Bible. Indeed, I was humbled by it.

So, I settled in for two challenging days of speaking and teaching through an interpreter. I was so afraid that my teaching would not be relevant or effective. I was so afraid that the people would think it was “elementary” and below them. After all, I was only teaching basic Christian doctrine. But what I discovered was a true hunger for sound doctrine and teaching. I discovered that these precious, humble, barely educated believers in an isolated mountain village were desperate for the Word of God. These precious people hung on every word spoken, every Scripture read, and every question asked. They took copious notes in their rare, valuable notebooks as I challenged them to take what they were learning and use it to disciple others.

And they asked so many questions! We covered so much doctrinal ground. I was blessed to teach eternal security of the believer to people who seemed to have little grasp of the notion. I was blessed to teach these wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ about prayer, discipleship, and church. And when we were done, I received so many hugs and holy kisses as we embraced and celebrated our time together. Just thinking about those moments brings tears of joy to my eyes.

So, I went to Chaglla, Peru, to be a teacher. And God used the experience to teach me, instead. He taught me what true hunger for His Word looks like. It’s a hunger that I plan to pursue for the rest of my life. And I pray that this insatiable hunger will “trouble” the people of our Southern Baptist churches … especially my church.

The Panao Quechua people of the Pachitea Province in Peru have stolen my heart. I desperately desire and pray that God will unleash a church planting movement among this people group. Please pray for the people and for my church, Crossroads Fellowship, as we seek to be used of God to facilitate this movement. I have started a blog that will explain and document our journey as the “missionaries” and “church planting strategists” for this people group. Please visit it here, join our journey, and join the conversation.