Luis Mendoza - La Esperanza, Perú

Like this month’s Missionary of the Month, we should all live in “La Esperanza” which means, “hope.” Not only is “La Esperanza” a city in Peru, but it is a beautiful reminder of the way we are to live. 1 Peter 1:3 tells us, “…according to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

So let’s go to “La Esperanza” and in this case, meet Pastor Luis Mendoza. He serves as an associate pastor in the Presbiteriana Cristo Restaurador and is also the chaplain for Geneva School, a Christian school in their community.

Luis says, “Step by step we seek to affirm biblical truths to both students and parents. Our prayer is that Christ will be formed in every heart so that the ‘God of hope will fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit’” (Romans 15:13).

Luis and his wife are blessed with a son who is now three with a second son on his way. Luis continues to say, “My work centers in faithful preaching every Sunday, directing Sunday School for the children, and forming a men’s ministry to strengthen families. Even so, my family is my first priority in ministry.”

La Esperanza is located on the northwest coast of Peru and within the Department of La Libertad (meaning “freedom”). La Libertad is the ninth smallest  department in Peru with a population of some two million. La Esperanza has roughly 200,000 residents and like all of Peru, their ancestry goes back to the Inca Empire.

“We serve in an area that is basically of middle and low income,” Luis explains. “There are social challenges and some juvenile delinquency problems that include extortion and killings, but there are also many opportunities to proclaim hope and restoration in Christ. There is spiritual hunger and open hearts here. Many are looking for meaning and purpose.”

"The ministry of LOGOI has been a great blessing to me in my formation and preparation to teach,” Luis tells us. He is presently studying through several LOGOI Bible courses and materials and says, “The materials have strengthened my doctrinal understanding and have helped me better structure my classes, sermons and discipleship.” Their church has also been a recipient of Grandma Carolyn’s “sewing ministry” having received boxes of children’s clothes and toys. “We are so grateful for this gesture of practical expression of Christian love. They have truly been “cups of water” in the name of the Lord.”

Would you take a moment right now and pray for Luis? Specifically, he asks us to pray for faithfulness to preach the Word, salvation for the souls in their community, wisdom to lead and care for his family, and the spiritual and doctrinal growth of the people in their church. What a great prayer — for each one of us!

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