The Light Shines in the Darkness
As our team boarded a flight home yesterday morning, we stood in awe of this amazing sunrise. We are overwhelmed at the thought of WHO HE IS and WHAT HE ACCOMPLISHED in Cartagena. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5
More to Come…
Cartagena has been unforgettable this past week. There’s still much more to come from this amazing experience. Stay tuned with us this week as we continue to share more stories and memories throughout the week!
¡Festival Por La Vida!
This has been both one of the best and one of the most difficult Festival weeks we’ve ever had. Spiritually speaking, we walked into a very dark city where the enemy’s stronghold is extremely evident. However, by the grace of Almighty God we saw the Lord show up in profound ways and be so faithful to us every step of the way.
We praise God that the Cartagena we will be leaving is not the same Cartagena as when we arrived. On one hand it is a very influential city and yet on the other, there is great physical and spiritual poverty. Through all the difficulties our team faced over the week – flight problems, illness, and numerous circumstances outside of our control each day- the Lord covered us and went before us answering every prayer we had. He is so good!
One of the most significant challenges of the week and a first for us – was a nationwide school strike that caught us off guard and briefly canceled our serve team’s ministry in local schools this week. One of the few schools that remained open allowed us to still come but prohibited our serve team from mentioning the name of Jesus or God – the enemy’s way of attempting to stifle the Gospel from being preached there. However, the Lord answered our prayers by giving the team a window where unexpectedly all of the teachers were called away at the same time… And do you know what we did? We told those children about the life-changing message of Jesus Christ and saw many come to know Him!
After the week we had, it was clear the enemy relentlessly wanted to prevent the Good News from going out by any means necessary. At the Festival we experienced technical difficulties throughout our program. The evil one tried at every turn to keep us from doing His Kingdom work. The Lord provided a hedge of protection around the proclamation of the Gospel. We were able to proclaim the Gospel to thousands and to an additional 33,036 people who viewed nights one and two on Facebook Live and Twitter. Hallelujah!
At the Festival Mike was on fire! His messages both nights were so clear & powerful and the response to the Gospel was astounding!
Nathan Ironside y Despertar
Redimi2
Raza For Christ
Tercer Cielo
A young man who just received Christ reading the Word with a counselor.
We continue to rejoice over all those who said, “YES” to Jesus Christ.
Thank you for your fervent prayers, the Lord moved mightily and many received Christ as personal Lord and Savior. If you missed it last night, the good news is that you can watch the recording of the live streamed event on the Mike Silva International Facebook page.
¡Festival Por La Vida Continues!
Good Life, Good Music, Good News! That’s the tagline for Festival Por La Vida, and that’s exactly what took place tonight. Our second festival night exceeded our expectations! To God be the glory! We, as a team and a ministry, invested more time and effort and resource into this particular city- Cartagena- more than any other city we’ve ever been to. Our team was ready. The city was ready. The anticipation was through the roof! What we desperately needed- and begged God for- was for His Spirit to fall and cover this city. We asked for HIM to move in a mighty way (like only He can!) in the hearts of those who were in attendance… AND HE DID!!! This night would have been in vein (and a total flop) without the touch of Jesus. But thankfully… He listened to us and He came to us in a mighty and powerful way! Thousands said “yes” to Jesus and their names have been added to the Lambs Book of Life! Hallelujah!
What we witnessed as a team tonight was indescribable. We had a front-row seat to see individuals move from death (spiritually) to life in Jesus! It was truly life changing.
There were amazing bands that the crowd went CRAZY for! We are so grateful for the artists who joined us and drew the awe-inspiring crowd in. It was incredible!
The Lord used Mike in a mighty way as he proclaimed the Gospel again tonight. He spoke with such clarity, conviction, and relevancy. His clear and vivid illustrations captivated the audience! People were so attentive and, like the previous night, responded in overwhelming numbers when he gave the invitation to receive Christ. There has been a unique and supernatural outpouring of the Holy Spirit in this place. Thank you so very much for your faithful and powerful prayers that have been answered over and over again this week. We are convinced the Lord gave us His favor, mercy and an extra portion of blessing because friends like you interceded for us. We are so grateful for you!
We will send you detailed reports as we get new information from the festival, but in the meantime… will you rejoice with us in the glorious work our God did?
Together… we have reached more!
<Photos of the Festival>
FestiKids [Subheading}
One of the most exciting and highly anticipated components of Festival Por La Vida is our kid’s festival, “FestiKids”. It’s a family-friendly festival for children with clowns, games, face painting, captivating skits, and an age appropriate Gospel message. It was an incredible turnout, and we saw thousands of children ask Jesus into their hearts before the main festival even began! This is why we’ve come… to see lives changed for eternity!
<Photos of the FestiKids>
If you missed it, you can still go and watch the recordings of the live-streamed events (from both nights) on Festival Por La Vida’s Facebook page.
The Water Project!
MSI strives to intentionally harness our efforts towards compassion aide projects that best serve the needs of the community.
For Cartagena, one of the greatest needs is fresh, clean water. The Water Well Project for <name of the area> will provide drinkable water for an estimated ____ people. We are thrilled to see our resources and energy well spent to bless a community in such a practical and essential way!
At the dedication ceremony, the resounding sentiment was deep gratitude to God for sending us into their neighborhood to fill such a substantial deficit (water) that they’ve had to make due without for so long. There were smiles, happy tears, laughter and lots of thirst being quenched as we looked into the eyes of so many grateful individuals. It was such a beautiful sight! This was a project that these families could not afford to do and build on their own.
The well is now providing water for # families in the community! We are happy to report that the new water system and additional holding tanks installed will provide all the areas’ water needs. This dedication was a celebration for everyone in this neighborhood and the surrounding areas. Afterwards, members of our serve team preformed a powerful evangelistic skit for the community, followed by an invitation- to Faith in Jesus, The Living Water- given by Mike. Many raised their hands and accepted Him. Praise God!
The Door Is Open To Cartagena
Wow! This week has been such a blessing. We are seeing the Lord continue to move in powerful ways. Our Affinity Events in this city included conferences for Pastors and Leaders, Worship Leaders and Evangelism. Each day our serve teams have been going out into the cities serving the community. Mike Silva International has been pouring into the community through compassion aid projects. As a result, the Mayor met with Mike and awarded him the key to the city! Truly the Lord has opened the door to Cartagena. The harvest is ripe here and the compassion projects have opened the hearts of the Colombians to His Good News. Thank you for your support that makes these projects possible!
Mike receiving the key to the city from the Mayor of Cartagena.
Nathan Ironside and his band El Despertar leading worship at our Worship One Conference.
Nathan teaching a workshop to worship pastors & leaders during the Worship One Conference.
Dr. Jaime Mirón speaking at the Evangelism Conference.
Pro BMX and Next Generation Alliance evangelists Vic Murphy and John Andrus teach evangelism through creative means at the Evangelism Conference.
It was a packed house at the Evangelism Conference.
We are so excited for night 2 of the festival. Tune in this evening on the Mike Silva International Facebook page to WATCH THE FESTIVAL LIVE! You wont want to miss it.
Serving the City and Encouraging the Church
Our teams’ impact is multiplying, and the anticipation for the Festival is exponentially increasing as Mike is sharing on TV and radio broadcasts, meeting with government officials, honoring local military, and making it known to ALL of the GOOD NEWS of the Festival! Our serve teams are sharing their personal testimonies and the loving Gospel message with children at schools and orphanages throughout the city. Teams have also hit the city’s streets – inviting everyone they encounter to the Festival. Numbers are still coming in, but the teams have already seen numerous people say, “Yes!” to Jesus! We are so encouraged!
Last Night 4,150 pastors and leaders attended our Pastors Conference to pray, learn and worship together. What an incredible time it was of unity and encouragement for the church in Cartagena! The Pastors were tearfully overjoyed in the new-found hope and belief that their city will be spiritually revived because of what God is doing this week through our team. What an honor it is to be a part of this monumental time!
Our serve team preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a local school.
Students enjoying a Serve Team presentation.
Our Serve Teams also hit the streets to pass out fliers.
Serve Team member, Dale Jamison giving a personal invitation to the Festival.
Mike encouraging the local Pastors at Pastors Conference.
Nathan Ironside and El Despertar leading worship.
PRAISE GOD! There were 4,150 pastor’s and leaders at the attendance.
Thank you so much to the supporters and prayer warriors who are making this trip possible! It couldn’t have happened without you and we are so grateful for what has happened and what is yet to come in our last few days here!
*Remember to tune in to the Mike Silva International Facebook page Friday at 3:00 P.M. PST and Saturday at 2:00 P.M. PST to WATCH THE FESTIVAL LIVE!
COMPASSION AID OUTREACHES COMMENCE!
After a much-needed night of rest, our serve teams have hit the ground running for day 2! Our outreaches this week will be our water project & the pastor’s conference tonight. Over the years, we’ve found this to be true of every city we visit (and Cartagena is no exception): “Growling stomachs have deaf ears.” It is for this reason we put so much emphasis and effort into Compassion Aid outreaches that will address practical needs, fill stomachs, and bless households in the community first; then we will introduce them to the Bread of Life that will satisfy their thirsty souls!
Serve teams on the move in the city!
Our serve teams sharing the gospel and spending time with students.
Students hearing the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.
The water tank for our clean water well.
REMINDER: Please like the Mike Silva International Facebook page and tune in Friday at 3:00 P.M. PST and Saturday at 2:00 P.M. PST to WATCH THE FESTIVAL LIVE!
Our Serve Team Has Arrived!
The time has finally come! After a long trip down to Cartagena, Colombia, we are thrilled to report that all 57 members of our team have arrived safe, sound (and tired)! We experienced the Lord’s traveling mercies in every detail thus far. The serve team had great first day preaching the good news at schools and orphanages throughout the city, and we know this is just the start of an incredible week! Please continue to pray with us for the spiritual transformation of this beautiful city!
A photo of Cartagena, Colombia.
Serve Team member sharing the Gospel with children at a local school.
Our serve team demonstrating the gospel with the lifehouse everything skit.
Our serve team praying with the community.
Our serve team inviting people to Festival por la Vida.
A photo of Cartagena, Colombia.
Guess what? You can tune in and WATCH THE FESTIVAL LIVE with us this weekend! “Like” our Mike Silva International Facebook page, and you can see the event LIVE on Friday night at 3:00 PM PST and Saturday night beginning at 2:00 PM PST!
Stay Tuned…
It’s the final countdown! Only a few days until our teams land in Cartagena, Colombia to serve the people in this great city. Please pray for receptive hearts as we share the Gospel!