Pioneering in Bolivia

Romans 15:21, ‘Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand’.” 

In 2016, capturing “KAINOS” year of Hope Singapore and seeking time with the Lord through fasting and prayer, the leaders of Hope Churches in South America had been sensing that the year of 2017 will be a year of “Cross-over”. God is going to bring us to CROSS OVER to a NEW realm of supernatural favor, harvest in the current locations, and cross over to new localities.

 

By faith, the leaders worked together to identify cities and countries the Lord had been impressing upon our hearts. We then began to pray and seek the Lord of the Harvest to direct us to find men of “peace” and “seed” men that would receive Hope Family and Mission and desire to multiply disciples and churches together.

 

One of the countries identified was Bolivia. By faith, with zero contact and zero knowledge of the country, Andrew Teoh who is overseer of the churches in South America based in Santiago of Chile, began to activate one brother named Jonathan to research and pray over Bolivia. By faith, we bought the air tickets. Two weeks before the exploratory trip, we had no contact and no idea which city exactly to spend our days. Miraculously, within the last days, God connected us with two contacts – a Peruvian brother in Christ named Felix living in Cochabamba and an unnamed Christian community in the same city (a 2nd-tier city in Bolivia). In January 2017, we flew in to La Paz (the highest or second highest city in the world) and then took an 8-hour bus ride to Cochabamba. Due to our contacts’ schedule, we only managed to spend a short evening with Felix, who turned out to be our man of “peace”, host and teammate in the follow-up trip. We also only managed to spend a short 3 hours with the pastor and family of the unnamed Christian community, who turned out to be our “seed men”.

After the exploratory trip, we kept in touch with our contacts by Whatsapp and Skype. We encouraged them, prayed with and for them. Andrew communicated the intention of a follow-up trip in July 2017. Three Peruvian leaders (Jonathan, Lizbeth and Carla) and two new leaders (Emmy and Belinda) from Hope Chile responded to the pioneering work and trip. In the midst of our preparation to July trip, God continued to give us new contacts who want to pioneer.

On 18 July, we arrived in Cochabamba by night. The next morning, we met with a new contact, a couple who is doing pioneering work with the indigenous people. Over breakfast, we got to know each other and within minutes we were talking about visiting their community in Ivirsgasama (4 hours from Cochabamba), the following day.

On 19 July morning, we got news that the strike and road block on the way from previous days had continued to take place. Nonetheless, we decided that we should get on with our planned trip to Ivirgasama. By vehicle, we only completed one-tenth of the journey. From where the vehicle dropped us off, we then walked on foot for four hours, some parts of it on asphalt road and some on small sandy path. Thank God, in the course of walking, praying and praising, 8 of us flagged an 8-seater van and squeezed ourselves into the vehicle which was eventually packed with 14 passengers. After 2 hours in the crammed van, we alighted at a rest station. There was an another 3-hour journey to go but no empty vehicle was in sight. We prayed and finally a bus came packed with seated passengers. We decided not to wait any longer and took the bus standing for another 3 hours. No words could describe our joy when we finally reached Ivirgasama.

After a good night’s rest, the following day was amazing. In a fasting and prayer time organized by our contact, we gathered and met with Quechua-speaking brothers and sisters (Bolivia’s indigenous people). We were amazed by their hearts of worship and serving the Lord despite their living condition and the condition of their gathering place. They came from towns one to two hours away from the gathering place, which is not more than a pavilion without walls, with a fully dirt floor and partly covered cow dungsks. On the day of gathering, from their apparent lack, they were giving gifts to the church, ranging from self-made wooden pulpit to very primitive cooking stove. We were totally blown away. In the Spirit, we sensed and shared with them that God is going to make this community fertile and fruitful. Each of us also gave a message to encourage them and gave them Bibles. They received the Bibles and the message with glad and sincere hearts. It was indeed mind blowing to see how God used us of little Quechua to encourage them and soon as we felt, to work with them to reach out and disciple all their indigenous communities.

After the 3-day-2-night stay in Ivirgasama, we returned to Cochabamba city. We then continued to meet with our contact pastor, Pastor Arturo and his family/team. Andrew spent time with the pastor while the team got to know the pastors’ team. After sharing our hearts and a praying togethertime, both our team and their team felt that we are in one spirit and one purpose, united as a family to fulfil the Great Commission by winning Cochabamba, Bolivia and beyond. In the following two days, we spent time eating, playing with the team, also discipling their team in Discipleship, Outreach and Care. We also did two worship gatherings with them. , Lwhich we later, we found out that from last trip till we met again, their community had grown from 40 to 100 people , and had since pioneered 7 Life Groups! Praise God for He is moving mightily in Cochabamba!

Throughout our stay, we were hosted by our Peruvian brother Felix in his house. Bolivia had severe water supply problem. Two months before, we were being informed of the possibility of staying in Felix’s house without water. Lo and behold, a few days before our arrival, the water came in abundant supply. Thank God because He indeed provided everything we needed and worked more marvelously than we could ever imagined. Withinhout a short time, we saw God opening doors and directing us to God-hungry people whom we can call Hope family, united to win Bolivia, South America and beyond together.

1 Cor 2:9-10, “…“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him—10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit”

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Ps Brendan Kirby

Brendan and Helen Kirby are the founding pastors of Hope Church in Adelaide. Brendan became a Christian in 1984, and joined Hope Melbourne in 1991. In the 80’s Brendan trained in physics at The University Of Melbourne, and graduated with a PhD in 1989. Since then he has worked as a post doctoral fellow and research scientist for about 23 years in various government research organizations. He married Helen in 1994, and in early 1998 they moved to Adelaide plant the Hope Church together while they both were working. He resigned his job as a research scientist for the Australian Defence in 2012 to work full time as a pastor.  Brendan is passionate about building and planting churches, and oversees churches in Perth, West Africa, Central Africa and India.

Ps Lance Wolter

Ps Lance & Belle were married in 2006 while pioneering Hope Church Gold Coast. As time went on they began to also become more and more involved helping with other churches in Australia and missional work (especially in Africa). In late 2018, they both took a leap of faith and relocated to Southern Africa to help churches in that region to become more fruitful in discipleship and the multiplication of churches. They are currently serving over 180 churches in Southern and Eastern Africa as well as churches in Gold Coast, New South Wales and ACT (Australia). Lance and Belle are passionate about pioneering community empowerment and social justice projects for the poorest of the poor. The family is also blessed with two beautiful children, Michael and Hadessah.

Ps Chaiyapruck Pewruangnont

Pastor Chaiyapruck Pewruangnont came to know Jesus Christ in 1988 at Hope of Bangkok church when he was a high school student. After he graduated with a Bachelor Degree of Architechure from KMITL Bangkok, he was trained and sent out to be the pastor of Hope of Hatyai church in 1996. He then moved to be a regional pastor at Hope Nakornrachasima and oversaw the North East region of Thailand. In 2000, he moved to Hope Bangkok church to join the pastoral team and oversaw the North region of Bangkok. In 2002, he moved back to Hatyai again and oversaw the Southern and North East of Thailand. He is currently the Vice President of HIM Thailand. Pastor Chaiyapruck is married to Pastor Patcharee. They have 2 daughters.

Ps Chuchat Chaisombat

Pastor Chuchat Chaisombat grew up in Payao, Northern Thailand.  After graduating in Economics, he started to serve God as a full-time pastoral staff.  He now lives with his wife Siriphorn in Chiangmai. He graduated in Master of Ministry from Bangkok Bible Seminary (BBS). He is currently the President of HIM Thailand, and leads the HIM churches in Thailand. Chuchat enjoys pioneering churches and discipleship.  He has a deep desire to inspire and help Christ-followers to be passionate for God and to serve Him until their last breath.

Ps James Loke

James Loke graduated in economics and worked in the central bank in Singapore. He then received a sovereign call to serve God in the mission field whence he travelled widely to preach and teach the Word of God. He is based in Singapore, where he serves God with his wife Christine. He oversees HIM churches in Thailand and the Philippines.  James believes that God wants His people to know Him well and to have a close relationship with Him and with fellow believers.  James desires Christ-followers to be passionate for God, mature in Christ and live pragmatic lives honouring Him.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Ps Prakich Treetasayuth

Pastor Prakich Treetasayuth received a Bachelor’s Degree of Science, majoring in Biochemistry, from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. He was awarded a Master’s Degree of Philosophy in Theology from the Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society. After receiving Christ in Hope of Bangkok Church in 1988, he was committed to the church and its ministry in many areas including biblical studies. In 1995, he became a regional pastor and the Head of Publication, in charge of the church’s teaching materials. He was appointed as the Pastor over Student Ministry in 1999 until he relocated to Europe in 2004 in his new role as the Regional Pastor over Hope Europe. God called him back to Thailand in 2021 for an additional role as the General Secretary for Thailand Bible Society. Pastor Prakich is gifted in leadership, word of encouragement and as a shepherd and a teacher.

Ps Kwong Lie Ong

Pastor Ong Kwong Lie pioneered Hope Johor Bahru (in Malaysia) in the year 1993. With a humble beginning of 1 person, today the church consists of more than 200 members and is still growing. Besides pastoring Hope Johor Bahru, he also oversees daughter churches in the state of Johor and Malacca. God has also entrusted him to oversee churches in Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia and India. Pastor Kwong Lie graduated from Harvest Bible College in Melbourne with Diploma in Christian Ministry in 1991. He is married to Pastor Swee Min and they have 2 sons. Pastor Swee Min supports him in his pastoral role locally and internationally.

Ps Denis Lu

Pastor Denis Lu was one of the pioneering members of Hope Kuching with Pastor Simon, in 1992. He is currently the Senior Pastor of Hope Kuching. He oversees HIM churches in Malaysia. Denis graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1991 from University Newcastle, Australia in 1991. He returned to Kuching, lectured at Stamford College and later became the College’s principal in 1995. He moved on to be an education counselor for Taylor’s College before entering full-time ministry in September 2001. Denis is married to Pastor Chong Hai Eng, who is also the Senior Manager in the HIM Elders’ Office. They have a son.

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Ps Simon Eng

Pastor Simon Eng is a Civil Engineer by training. He has been ministering for over 30 years. His experiences include pioneering Hope Kuching, mentoring leaders and pastors, and ministering in cross-cultural Regional Conferences. Pastor Simon is married to Pastor Lai Eng and they have 3 wonderful children, who are active in their faith as well. Pastor Simon is currently serving as the Senior Pastor of Hope Kuala Lumpur and an Elder in Hope International Ministries. He loves to build God’s people and travels extensively to minister and care for God’s churches.

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Ps Wilson Lim

Wilson and Lai Ling are founding pastors of Hope Church, a thriving multi-site church with its headquarters in Brisbane. Wilson is currently serving as President of HIM and oversees Hope churches in Oceania and North America.  Wilson is known for his lively, engaging expositional preaching, theological and leadership insights as well as apostolic father’s heart.  His passion is teaching, equipping leaders and building the church.  Wilson holds a PhD in Civil Engineering (Monash University) and a MTh (The University of Manchester). He was a research scientist with CSIRO. He also formerly served as a Bible College director and is currently the chairman of Australian Care & Trauma Services.  Lai Ling complements him in ministry with her passion in the areas of prophetic, intercession, pastoral care and counselling.  Together, they minister widely around the world today and founded a ministry equipping website wilsonlailing.com.  They have three adult children and 1 daughter-in-law.