DAWN Fridayfax 1998 #20

In 1943, American Mennonites arrived in Chaco, northern Argentina, to evangelize the Indian tribes, as they said. "However, it rapidly went the way of classical Christian colonialism," reports German missionary Frank Paul from Chaco. "It was more like Mennonitisation than evangelisation. The years of little success and the rapid growth of the self-organising, penniless native Indian movement started the Mennonite missionaries asking questions. They began to understand that God's evangelisation works differently than how they had set out. On top of that, they discovered that despite material advantages, 'their' Indian churches were not bubbling with joyous spiritual life. Even more: in their absence, the services were not held according to the normal plan, but 'in Indian'. Following careful consideration, they decided to make drastic changes: all projects were closed down, the buildings and land sold. The missionaries said to themselves 'The Holy Spirit has stolen our church!' The missionaries began to see the Indian forms of prayer, healing, sanctification and church service not as doubtful but as worthy of support and encouragement. They gave their support where they were asked, without involving themselves in internal financial, personnel and organisational questions.

Indian celebratory services

To this very day, Indian Christians call 'white' churches 'dominaciones' (lordships) instead of 'denominaciones' (denominations)! The official recognition of the independent indigenous church 'Iglesia Evangelica Unida' was a very special event. They call the foundation of this church their 'Exodus', and the Toba church planter Aurelio Lopez their 'Moses'. The church is now over 35 years old, and is one of the few Latin American churches which has entirely Indian structures and leaders. It is not the only Christian church amongst Chaco's indigenous peoples, but the most popular, with between 10,000 and 20,000 members in around 250 fellowships in at least 5 different language groups.

Source: Frank Paul, fax (+54)-722-37241 e-mail: chaco.paul@cpsarg.com

Source: Christoph Schalk, fax (+49)-931-274318

Our churches are learning much from Indonesia's current situation. Jakarta is in a state of war. We Chinese Christians are now unable to hold Sunday services, so we are meeting in house fellowships or cell churches. That has three advantages: firstly, we can pass on important information much faster, because we all know each other much better; secondly, we can take care, protect and help each other, and eat together, and thirdly, because we can't pray in the church, we do it at home. We sense that this is an example of what awaits us in the end times.

Source: "Jefri". e-mail: jefril@texascom.co.id

Source: IMA, fax (+91)-044-6442859, e-mail ima@pobox.com