Cartagena, Colombia Festival — February 23 & 24, 2018
The CITY
Cartagena is a city steeped in rich culture and history. It is located in the northern part of the country along the Caribbean Sea and is tropical in climate. Cartagena is Colombia’s fifth largest urban area with a population of almost 1.1 million people.
The city was founded in 1533. Due to its importance as a trading post, it was historically victim to both invaders and pirates. Spain fortified the colonial city during the 17th and 18th centuries by building a wall around what is now “old town Cartagena” also nicknamed “La Ciudad Amurallada” (The Walled City).
Present day Cartagena is a popular tourist destination, however, walking throughout the city the great disparity within the city’s economic classes can be clearly observed. Upwards of 65% of the population lives under the poverty line and
25% in extreme poverty.
The NEED
BRINGING A FESTIVAL OF HOPE AND LIFE
In a place of many physical needs, there is an even greater need – a spiritual one. 70.9% of the 1.092 million people in Cartagena identify as Catholic. The Protestant (primarily Evangelical) population is estimated at 16.7%, while the remainder claims non-religious, Atheist, or other. This means over 906,000 are living without hope and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. For the evangelist, this means cast those nets…the fishing will be good!
THE MISSION
To practice and proclaim the life-changing message of Jesus Christ in the world’s most spiritually receptive places
This opportunity in Cartagena is tremendous. The Festival will bring a week’s worth of evangelistic activities including community service, evangelism, compassion aid projects, pastor training, and a massive two-night festival that will include some of the hottest present-day Latin music artists in the world and a powerful Gospel message with a call for salvation. The heart of Mike Silva International is to reach as many people for Christ as possible, demonstrate His love to those in need through significant physical acts of compassion, and to train and equip the local Church in order to leave a longer-lasting impact. The following is how we do this….
“BUT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” —ACTS 2:21
The DETAILS
BEING THE HANDS AND FEET OF JESUS
Counselor Training and Follow-up:
In the months leading up to the Festival, MSI staff and partners are training thousands of counselors throughout the city to assist decision-makers who respond in a commitment to Christ at the Festival. We will also be making contact with hundreds of churches to provide training and follow-up tools that will prepare them to receive new believers and disciple them in their new-found faith.
Compassion Aid:
We want to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ and demonstrate His love for people by meeting very real and significant physical needs. Our Serve Team will spend the week reaching out to local schools, orphanages, prisons, rescue missions, deaf communities, etc., sharing the love of Christ in a variety of ways in both word and deed. We’ll also be providing much-needed medical, dental, and vision services through our partnership with Bridges of Hope International. There is a great need in a number of the smaller villages for clean, safe water so our goal is to sponsor two water well projects. Projected cost for this is $30,000.
Two-Night Festival:
At the core of our outreach is the evangelistic festival on Friday and Saturday nights (February 23 & 24). The Festival is completely sponsored by generous MSI donors in order to make this a free event for the city. Big name and widely popular music artists draw the crowds in excitement for a free concert by their favorite music groups. Mike Silva is then given the platform to proclaim the Gospel message in a clear, compelling and culturally relevant way. As people respond to the invitation, our trained counselors help us collect names and addresses of decision-makers that will be passed along to local churches for effective follow-up and discipleship. Saturday night kicks off with our family festival called FestiKids. Families enjoy face painting, games, large inflatables, music performances, and much more. And the Gospel is once more presented and an invitation given to receive Christ.
Legacy:
One of our great passions is investing into other pastors, evangelists and Next Generation leaders who will then all go out and each reach even more people for Christ. Talk about a high return on our investment! Our outreach in Cartagena will include a special Pastors and Leaders Conference which will focus on evangelism, leadership, and discipleship training. Because access to training is either unavailable or not affordable, MSI provides this ministry at no cost to attendees.
The OPPORTUNITY
CAN GOD USE YOU? ABSOLUTELY!
Your investment will pay eternal dividends in thousands of changed lives.
PRAY:
Your commitment to pray with and for us is essential. If you haven’t done so already, sign up to receive our monthly e-prayer updates and for Dialed-In (our quarterly prayer calls) by going to our website at
www.mikesilva.org/email-updates. We will keep you up to date on all the important details regarding the festival and you can follow our stories and photos via the blog.
GIVE:
Your financial gift towards advancing the Gospel in Colombia really does make a difference. 100% of this outreach and all its components are completely dependent on the generosity of churches and individuals. Should you be in any position to give toward this incredible opportunity in Cartagena, your tax-deductible gift can be made quickly via our website
www.mikesilva.org or mailed to Mike Silva International, PO Box 8808, Portland, OR 97207.
GO:
You can be a part of our Serve Team and travel with us to Cartagena, Colombia to share the love of Jesus. If you simply have a heart to be used by the Lord and you have the willingness to go, we can use you. No special requirements are necessary. You don’t even need to know the language. We have translators who will go everywhere you go. Come and see for yourself what we do and the magnitude in which God works when we share Christ to spiritually receptive people.
THANK YOU
FOR PARTNERING WITH US IN THIS SPIRITUALLY
FRUITFUL OPPORTUNITY! WE COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU.
CONTACT
For more information on partnering with MSI, please contact us at:
Mike Silva International
1500 NW 167th Pl.
Beaverton, OR 97006
Las Tunas, Cuba February 4-6 2017
The Mission
Once again, we’ve been given an opportunity to share God’s love and a message of hope in Cuba. In recent years, we’ve been invited to visit local pastors and encourage the Cuban Church. Now, the recent increase in diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba has made traveling easier. We believe the past few years was just the beginning of what God is about to do there!
The time is now for an unprecedented opportunity to share the Gospel in Cuba. In this historic moment, we have the privilege of sharing Jesus in the city of
Las Tunas, February 4-6, 2017.
Right now, God is at work in Cuba, and we are honored to partner with Him and YOU to be a blessing to the Cuban people. Thank you so much for making this dream a reality.
Together, we will be able to make an eternal impact in the lives of people
in this emerging nation. Join me in this historic opportunity, by praying
and giving right now to transform Cuba!
The City
As a nation, Cuba is in a unique cultural moment. Las Tunas is one of the largest cities in Cuba, with an estimated 175,000 people, situated in the southern region of the Island.
The city is known for its rich cultural significance. It’s a hub for local art and music. Unofficially, Las Tunas has been dubbed the “City of Sculpture” because of the numerous pieces of art scattered around the city. I plan to use their “art” to share the Gospel. Therefore, I believe God’s message of hope will spread throughout the region.
There is also great need in Cuba. Due to the long-standing embargo and other economic factors, there is a substantial opportunity for us to meet the practical needs of the Cuban people in their everyday lives. Please help me make this happen by responding to this opportunity.
The Need
There are many way to join the cause at MSI, YOU can join today to help take the gospel to Cuba by:
PRAYING: Sign up to receive email updates about our Cuba mission.
Stay current with what’s happening and partner with us by faithfully praying
for the work there. www.mikesilva.org/email-updates
Stay current with what’s happening and partner with us by faithfully praying
for the work there. www.mikesilva.org/email-updates
GIVING: In order to have the greatest possible impact in Las Tunas, we need your financial support today. www.mikesilva.org/give
YOUR Prayer and Support will achieve:
- Gospel Proclamation
- Evangelism Concert
- Youth Conference
- School of Evangelism
- Training Local Churches
For more information on partnering with MSI, please contact us at:
Mike Silva International
1500 NW 167th Pl.
Beaverton, OR 97006
503.614.1552
Watch the Trujillo, Peru Video Report
- 27,362 recorded decisions for Christ
- 25,000 attended the FestiKids childrens festival
- 3,547 attended the Pastors Conference
- 267 attended Workshops and Trainings
- 61,187 students heard the Gospel message
- 217 partnering churches
- 3, 268 individuals were trained to pray with decision makers
- 1,716 people now have clean drinking water
Thank YOU for partnering with us to make this happen!
For more information about Trujillo and other festivals, be sure to check out our main blog.
Results from the Festival in Trujillo!
The results from Trujillo, Peru are in. We are so grateful for all the Lord did and we are especially grateful for all YOU did to make this festival happen!
* 27,362 recorded decisions for Christ
* 25,000 attended the FestiKids childrens festival
* 3,547 attended the Pastors Conference
* 267 attended Workshops and Trainings
* 61,187 students heard the Gospel message
* 217 partnering churches
* 3, 268 individuals were trained to pray with decision makers
* 1,716 people now have clean drinking water
* 25,000 attended the FestiKids childrens festival
* 3,547 attended the Pastors Conference
* 267 attended Workshops and Trainings
* 61,187 students heard the Gospel message
* 217 partnering churches
* 3, 268 individuals were trained to pray with decision makers
* 1,716 people now have clean drinking water
Festival Por La Vida Continues!
It was another electric and power packed lineup of artists this second festival night. Incredible music that people love and who have the ability to draw masses, but all artists who love the Lord and point people to Christ all throughout the night.
The Lord used Mike in a mighty way as he proclaimed the Gospel again last night. The people were so attentive and like the previous night, responded in overwhelming numbers when Mike gave the invitation to receive Christ. There has been a unique and supernatural outpouring of the Holy Spirit in this place and we are seeing God move in ways and volumes we have never seen before. So we praise God for that! Thank you for your faithful and powerful prayers that have been answered here this week.
If you missed it, you can still go and watch the recording of the live streamed events from both nights on Festival Por La Vida’s Facebook page.
Mike using the Peruvian flag as a spiritual application illustration for the Gospel.
Headlining Artist, Vico C
FestiKids
One of the most exciting and highly anticipated components of Festival Por La Vida is our kids festival, FestiKids. It’s a family friendly festival for children with clowns, games, face painting, captivating skits, and an age relevant Gospel message. It was an incredible turnout here in Trujillo and we saw thousands of children ask Jesus in their hearts before the main festival even began! This is why we’ve come.
Water Well Project
MSI is always extremely intentional to provide the communities we enter with not only compassion aid projects, but those that reflect the needs of the community. In Trujillo, this was a Water Well project for the small hamlet of San Edelfonso, located just outside the city.
At the dedication ceremony, the resounding sentiment was that of overwhelming gratitude. This was an undertaking that they could not afford and for this reason their previous water system had been damaged due to vandalism and had been broken for years, providing water for only about 2 minutes per day in an amount insufficient for the needs of the 245 families in the community averaging about 12 individuals per family. We are happy to report that the new water system and 6 additional holding tanks installed will provide all the towns water needs.
This dedication was a celebration for both parties. As a thank you to our team local students performed several cultural dances. Afterwards, members of our team performed a powerful evangelistic skit for them, followed by an invitation given by Mike. Many raised their hands and accepted Jesus!
Mike dedicating the Water Well with the Mayor.
Festival Por La Vida!
WOW! Arriving at the Festival, the air was absolutely saturated with excitement. At that time, the initial crowd was notably impressive, but as the countdown clock on the big screen continued to run down, it grew exponentially alongside with the excitement.
The Festival Por La Vida promises good life, good music, and good news and it delivered! The good music kicked off with local artist, Willie Malpartida, followed by recording artist and worship leader Nathan Ironside and then an electrifying performance by crowd favorite Raza for Christ. The night ended with the highly anticipated award winning duo Tercer Cielo who brought down the house.
When Mike took the stage he gave a clear and powerful message from Mark 10, the story of Bartimaeus. His invitation was his powerful testimony of loss, anger, forgiveness, and redemption, and thousands responded with tear filled eyes — a visual illustration that Festival Por La Vida is not merely an event, but a rather harvest for the kingdom of God! Juan Carlos Rodriguez said it best when he told the crowd, “This is called, ‘Festival Por La Vida’, and there is life here tonight…” there was life and life abundant and many accepted.
If you missed it last night, you missed out. The good news is that you can watch the recording of the live streamed event on Festival Por La Vida’s Facebook page, and that you have another opportunity at 4:00 P.M. PST Tonight for day 2 of the Festival to
WATCH THE FESTIVAL LIVE! We cannot wait for you to join us then!!!
Nathan Ironside
Raza for Christ
Mike preaching the Gospel.
Tercer Cielo
Marriage Conference
God is Love. And Jesus is the cornerstone of the church. Because marriage is a picture of His love for the church it makes sense that we make love the cornerstone of our marriages. At MSI we are in the business of transformation and this a task we cannot do alone. For this we offer a marriage conference for our partnering churches. To better equip them to serve each other and together the community.
With 120 couples in attendance. We saw Love reignited and bonds strengthened. Mike gave an opening message that was truly inspired. Following Mike were back to back messages by Dr. Jaime Miron and Pastor David Lazo on what marriage is, faithfulness, preventing conflict, and strengthening your marriage. When asked how the conference went Dr. Jaime Miron commented, “The thing I liked is that the people didn’t go straight home after. They stuck around to fellowship with each other, and that’s always a good sign.”
Pastor Mike Silva
Dr. Jaime Miron
Pastor David Lazo
Trujillo at a Glance
Please like Festival Por La Vida’s Facebook page and tune in again at 4:00 P.M. PST Saturday to
Worship Workshop
Nothing touches the heart and draws people in quite like music. In an effort to further serve the Church here in Trujillo we held our first “Worship Workshop” last night – led by recording artist and worship leader Nathan Ironside and Antonio Gonzalez from the Grammy nominated group Tercer Cielo. The 400 worship leaders and musicians who attended were coached on practice, music theory, and spiritual leadership.
Nathan Ironside
Antonio Gonzalez of Tercer Cielo
Praying over the worship attendees
Serve Team Brings Hope
Today our nine Serve Teams set out once again to share a message of love and hope in various schools and orphanages throughout Trujillo. Through skits and other visual Gospel presentations, our Teams are able to effectively connect with students and children in a powerful way and we continue to see hundreds say “Yes!” to Jesus Christ!
Serve Team member Colton sharing the Gospel with students
Serve Team performing a gospel skit
Dr. Fred Hess engaging students
Young girl excited for the Festival
We are just hours away from the Festival, please pray for our team as the final pieces come together!
Please like Festival Por La Vida’s Facebook page and tune in at 4:00 P.M. PST Friday and Saturday to WATCH THE FESTIVAL LIVE!
The Festival Week is in Full Swing!
What an incredible first day of outreach! Mike has been busy meeting with several government officials and spreading the news of the Festival by means of several television interviews. The serve teams have hit the ground running and have already seen hundreds say, “Yes!” to Jesus. Last night, there was an unprecedented attendance at our Pastors and Leaders Conference. We are seeing a historic unification among the churches of Trujillo. The reports from the pastors in attendance were that they are extremely encouraged and there is a new found hope and belief that their city will be transformed because of what God is going to do this week.
Ministering to Police
Mike giving a message to local police
During his closing prayer he gave an invitation to the 19 officers present and to the glory of God, 17 made decisions for Christ!
Media
One of Mike’s television interviews
Meeting the Governor
Mike and the team praying for the Governor of La Libertad, Luis Alberto Valdez Farías
The Governor was presented with his first NTV Bible
Serve Team in Action
The Serve Teams are scattered throughout the City going to many schools and orphanages today
Teams perform a powerful skit that illustrates the Gospel and many respond to Christ
Serve Team members hand out wordless bracelets that symbolize the story of the Gospel
Pastors and Leaders Conference
The Pastor’s Conference had over 3,300 in attendance
Recording Artist and Worship Leader Nathan Ironside, led worship
As Mike spoke the atmosphere was electric. Following his message Pastors David Lazo, Ruben Guajardo, and William Pareja continued to inspire, encourage and lift ….as the night went on.
Please like Festival Por La Vida Facebook page and tune in at 4:00 P.M. PST Friday and Saturday to WATCH THE FESTIVAL LIVE!
The Festival Week Begins in Trujillo, Peru!
Our Team has arrived safe and sound in Trujillo, Peru with only minor flight delays. Here are some images of the experience so far. Please continue to pray for open doors and hearts!
Please like Festival Por La Vida Facebook page and tune in at 4:00 P.M. PST Friday and Saturday to WATCH THE FESTIVAL LIVE!
The Trujillo town center
Mike speaking at the Marriage Conference
Dr. Jaime Miron sharing a message at the Marriage Conference
Mike and team praying with the General of the Police
Local Transportation
Local Marketplace
A local sugarcane factory that operates 24 hours a day. Sugarcane and asparagus are two large crops in Trujillo.