NPEC | North Preston Evangelical Church

Interview with Anthony Green: Arequipa, Peru

We start this section by bringing an interview with Anthony Green who is church planting in Peru. Anthony has been serving the Lord in this South American country of over nearly thirty million souls for several years, and has seen growth in the work based in the city of Arequipa in wonderful ways. He is married to Roxanna, a native Peruvian.

Ronny Tipismana, a Peruvian pastor, supports Anthony in the work. He is married to Rocio. There are some moving testimonies of how the great God and Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ has saved lives both young and old through the work in Arequipa, and Grace Baptist Mission can supply further information if you want it.

The church which Anthony pastors is moving into a challenging phase with it's new church building, and Anthony in the interview below has graciously supplied details this venture and needs for prayer.

Paul: To start this interview, I understand Anthony your health recently has been not been too good. Can you explain to the readers what has happened, how you are now and what the Lord has taught you through these trials?

Anthony: Yes, we have all passed through various illnesses. A couple of years ago I had a problem with my blood, which was thick and causing circulation problems. This was very worrying at the time as it affected the circulation in the brain. This affected my ability to even think during those spasmodic attacks. At the most worrying stage we thought we may have to return home, which in itself caused more problems for me than the illness itself. After a time of prayer and fasting to seek the will of God the Lord gave me two promises from the word of God. First that I would not die! Second, that he would heal me as I still had a work to accomplish for him. From that day I have never had another attack, which is due only to the kindness and mercy of God. Back in April I had "Typhoid" again, and then a month later a severe attack of "bronchial asthma" These were debilitating physically, but thankfully I am now back to full health and strength.

What have these experiences taught me? Well, first that Gods Sovereignty and power over our lives is a great comfort amidst the greatest trials. As I read recently the wonderful truth human inadequacy cannot defeat the divine purpose.We feel our weakness and need of his grace, but our confidence rests in the truth that the Good work that God has begun in us he will complete until the day of Jesus Christ. We also learn how short is our existence in this world, and how little time we have to serve the Lord until that day when we will give an account for how we have used the time and gifts the Lord has given to us. Such trials also test our faith, love, and calling to the work of God. We glorify God when deny ourselves and remain faithful to his calling despite the trials and difficult circumstances that come our way. If patience is to have its perfect work; God must lead us through the valleys. The topography of our spiritual pilgrimage is not all mountain top experiences. I believe in Gods Sovereignty and human responsibility! Regular exercise and careful eating goes a long way to keep healthy! The Lord has been gracious to us in bringing us through these difficult times, and we look forward to what he has ordained and purposed for his Church here in Arequipa.

Paul: The church in Arequipa is engaged in a building project. How is this progressing, and what particular needs are there in relation to this project?

Anthony: We hope to start the building project at the beginning of September. At the moment we are in the process of finalising the legal contracts as we pay the final payment for the plot of land where the New Church will be built. We will then need to join the two plots of land into one, and then apply for the building license. This is taking longer than at first envisaged, but we need to wait until that process is near completion before we start construction. The immediate need would be sufficient funds to start the project and see it through to completion without delay. We will begin construction trusting the Lord to supply what is lacking as the project develops. A number of men we know will be working on the project. Some are unsaved , so we would ask you to pray that the project will be a means of reaching those men with the Gospel. The project will also give employment for a number of months to help such men provide for their families in a country where it is so difficult to find steady employment; especially in the building trade.

Paul: How is your co-worker Rony Tipismana, his wife Rocio and son Samuel. Any matters for prayer for this family?

Anthony: Ronny and his family have been with us from the conception of the work here in Arequipa. His son Samuel has started Secondary School this year and hopes to be a Doctor! For this reason he has told his Dad that he wants to live and study in Arequipa! This means that Ronny has given himself long-term to the Church. The Church is maturing spiritually , but we do need consistency of ministry and service until the Lord is pleased to call other men to lead the Church in the future. His home Church in "Ica" in the South of Peru near Lima the Capital has gone through some very testing times, and often the Church there have put pressure on him to return. This has not been easy for him. So if you could pray for his home Church, and that Ronny will be stedfast and faithful to his calling to the work here in Arequipa.

The enemy has tried many times over the years to halt this work, but we stand firm and say like Nehemiah:6:3 I am doing a great work so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease whilst I leave it, and come down to you? Pray for the youth ministry that Ronny leads in the Church. That the Lord will give him wisdom and discretion in council, and that many of the young people would come to a saving knowledge of Christ. We have four young people who have requested Baptism. Pray that the Spirit of God will do a deep work in their hearts as they continue in the discipleship classes. Rocio leads the womens meeting in the Church. Pray that many of the unsaved ladies may be convicted and convinced of their need of Christ.

Paul: How are the believers generally you have in the churches you pastor? Any specific matters for prayer?

Anthony: The economic situation brings great hardship and tests the faith of those who profess faith in Christ. For example Sunday is the day when the majority go to the market and in which there is more movement commercially. The obvious inference is that coming to Church can mean financial loss if that day is dedicated to the Lord. One family recently shared that they were seriously considering working on a Sunday due to the financial hardships they are going through as a family. This is of course a trial that either strengthens faith and reveals love and stedfastness to the Lord, or it reveals a lack of faith , and unwillingness to suffer loss for the sake of the Gospel. We do sympathise with those whose life is hard, but we do see others who despite hardship remain faithful to the Lord. We would ask you to pray that the word of God will bear fruit and create faith in the hearers, and that the Lord will provide work for those who are unemployed. That the Lord will be gracious to give evident tokens of his love and presence to those who remain faithful and stedfast.

Of course we also are afflicted with the false Gospels around us that is centred on man and his perceived needs.The health and prosperity cult is rampant and of course it is fertile soil for the human heart that seeks only self advancement. God exists to exalt us, which is the devils work with a few verses quoted out of context. So we would have basically the same Pastoral challenges in this culture. The self deceptive human heart is the same in any culture and the remedy the same for all peoples. Through the word of God we need to encourage God esteem in a culture of self esteem. Please pray for a move of the Spirit of God through the preaching of the word of God. Our Pastoring will be less, when believers learn how to apply the word of God to their own lives and families.

Paul: And finally, what would you personally value prayer for?

Anthony: That we may grow in holiness as a family, and as a Church, that we may have the joy in the few years left to us to live in this world to witness a mighty spiritual revival in his Church that will touch the lives of the unsaved around. That the Lord will be glorified in all our works.