Serving long-term through God’s grace
CMS missionaries Michael & Jo Charles have served in Chile since 2004. Their ministry has been built around the Centro de Estudios Pastorales (CEP), the Bible college where they have been teaching and mentoring for many years. Jo reflects on the privileges of serving long-term.
Some time ago I came across my diary from our first weeks in Chile, in January of 2004. We had some difficult interactions as we were searching for a place to live, and we felt confused and overwhelmed. I wrote, ‘I know we said we were willing to come to Chile long term. But if we end up staying here for any length of time it will be pure grace!’
It was God’s kindness to begin early in stripping me of any sense of my own ability to persevere! It has also been God’s kindness to sustain us by his grace as we have served his church here in Santiago.
What fruit have we seen?
We have seen the college change the face of the local church and begin to reach other regions of South America. More than 100 students have passed through the seminary. Of these graduates there are 56 in full–time ministry and others serving in part-time or unpaid ministries. Many current students are sent to us by CEP graduates who have intentionally prepared them academically and spiritually. This means our current students are better prepared theologically, more widely read, and able to engage in nuanced discussions. Graduates support each other and are active in thinking theologically about the hugely problematic political and social issues in the country at this time.
The Anglican Church nationally has grown in numbers and maturity, and CEP was a significant factor in Chile becoming an Anglican Province. Neighbouring dioceses see value in the CEP, so we have students from Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, and from other denominations in Chile.
The privilege of seeing such abundant fruit is due to the commitment of CMS to long-term gospel work. Our 17 years serving here sit in the bigger picture of the CMS commitment to theological education in Chile. Under God, many missionaries over the years laid the foundation for the CEP to be established, and some families made decade-long sacrifices in the college. CMS missionaries and supporters have invested significantly over many years.
What are the benefits of long-term ministry?
With increasing knowledge of culture, and with tangible results in view, evaluation and change is possible. Understanding culture enables better application of the gospel in context. Experience counts. Michael’s nine years as principal of CEP gives him a unique opportunity to advise and pray with the current principal as he faces difficult decisions.
Another benefit of long-term mission is building relationships. There is a danger of paternalism in mission work as we arrive in another culture and attempt to share the gospel. The benefit of long–term mission is that deep relationships are formed. That allows for honest dialogue and a gracious circle of encouragement, where the missionary and those from the local culture care for and minister to each other.
What does this gracious circle look like? When we are committed for the long haul, we send the message that the Church here is not the equivalent of a quick weekend DIY project to make ourselves feel better. Rather, it is a lengthy and sometimes painful renovation, that requires planning, investment, and many conversations about what we are all trying to do, and how we will do it.
Good friends have told us that our time here has enabled them to trust us and has given them dignity. They are worth the time we have invested in them and the sacrifice of leaving friends and family in order to serve them. This depth of relationship gives them confidence to ask our advice, at both a ministry and personal level, and to weigh it seriously. The fact that we know them, and their context deeply, enables us to offer better counsel. As they flourish, we can see the value of our role, and are encouraged to continue. We are now pastored at our church by one of our CEP graduates. We hear excellent sermons from CEP students. We are cared for by graduates who pray for us. People we have counselled now pass that same grace on to us. When I declared my need for God to enable us to persevere, I had in mind a through-gritted–teeth pressing on. In his grace, God has shown us the fruit of our ministry which has encouraged us to persevere.
PRAY
Serving long-term is only possible with the faithful and prayerful support of churches and individuals at home. Will you continue to bring the ministry and needs of CMS missionaries before God and pray for them regularly?
