Last month we completed our second module of MSI’s Gateway School of Evangelism and we are in awe of all God did!   Fourteen individuals from six nations came for nine intensive days of equipping to “do the work of an evangelist” in their world.  Hearing their stories and getting to know them we can see that God is fast at work preparing the way for the Gospel to be carried to every city, every nation, and every corner of the Spanish World.  The mission of Gateway is to equip, train, and send out effective evangelists.  We believe this next generation has the capacity to reach so many more, and to carry on the life giving work of evangelism. 

It was truly an honor to get to serve these students. This was possible in no small part due to your prayers and continued partnership. At MSI we want to build upon God’s Legacy. We thank you for coming alongside us in this powerful call and ever humbling work.

For many of us the more we pray for a city, a people, a cause, a mission, the more passionate about it we become.  So, as you partner with us to pray for Trujillo, Peru, We would not be surprised if you want to get more involved! 

One of the ways you can do that is by coming with us to Trujillo this November!  If you join the U.S. Serve Team, you will have the privilege of looking into the faces and sharing the love of Jesus with those you’ve spent these months praying for. 

By joining the serve team, you’ll become an integral part of practicing and proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ to thousands of Peruvians.  It’s an action-packed, high intensity week of serving.  Some of the ways you’d share the love of Jesus are:

1. Visiting orphanages— distributing gifts to kids who may not receive another gift all year.
2. Deliver basic supplies like food and sanitation items to remote, underdeveloped villages in and around Trujillo.
3. Participating in various Compassion Aid projects.
4. Perform dramas, tell stories, and share your testimony at area schools.
5. Attend the Festival— witnessing hundreds say YES to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

The CITY

Trujillo lies along the northwestern coastal region of Peru and is the second most populous city of the country.  It is a city with ancient roots. Some archeologists believe the earliest civilization in the region dates back to 4700 BC. La Libertad Region, which surrounds Trujillo, has been a cradle of indigenous culture for millennia.

Families who fall below the poverty line are living on about $1.90 per day.  The average annual income for most Peruvians is a little over $6,000/year or about $500/month.  Many villages currently live without clean, safe drinking water, contributing to many unnecessary health problems that plague its people.

The NEED

In a place of many physical needs, there is an even greater need—a spiritual one

The DETAILS

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 and the Churches who will be receiving these new converts and discipling them in their newfound faith.

Two-Night Festival:  At the core of our outreach is the evangelistic festival on Friday and Saturday (November 18 & 19).  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 the local Churches for effective follow-up and discipleship.

Legacy:  One of our great passions is investing in 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 Trujillo 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.

For the first time the government has approved a religious event outside the confines of the church. They have given us the largest public venue in Caimanera and a theater in Guantanamo. I will be traveling with 11 others, including seven other pastors. Juan Carlos Rodriguez, singer songwriter producer and Latin award winning performing artist from the husband wife duo Tercer Cielo (Third Heaven) is also one of the eleven. It will be his first time performing in Cuba and we’ve been receiving reports that the people are ecstatic!

We recently heard from a local pastor that the government is implementing crowd control measures because people as far away as Santiago are planning to attend the events.

Would you please pray for me, that I would preach the Gospel with boldness and power? Please pray for the hearts of the people of Cuba, many of whom will hear the Good News of Jesus for the first time. And most of all, pray that God’s Name would be lifted high.

For His Kingdom,

Mike Silva