A whirlwind of activity in Latin America
Dedication to Latin America
The landscape of Latin America has recently been a vibrant testament to dedicated efforts aimed at upholding the sanctity of human life, with PassionLife teams navigating a whirlwind of activity across numerous countries. Our organization, now consistently operating in 40 to 42 countries worldwide, has observed an overwhelming, encouraging, and enthusiastic response from many churches in Latin America, prompting a focused dedication of staff and resources to this vital region. The pace of work has been remarkably swift, with representatives traveling extensively to engage with leaders and communities, demonstrating a profound commitment to saving lives and responding to the global missions challenge of abortion.
The Four Questions: Core Training Methodology
At the core of PassionLife’s engagement is a structured training program centered on what we term “the four questions”. This comprehensive approach forms the backbone of our outreach, providing biblical and practical guidance to pastors, leaders, and community members. The first question addresses, “What does the Bible say about the sanctity of human life, including the baby in the womb?”. This foundational inquiry establishes a robust theological understanding of human dignity from conception. Following this, the second question delves into, “What does the Bible say about the shedding of innocent blood, including abortion?”. This question directly confronts the moral and spiritual implications of abortion, drawing clear lines from scriptural principles.
The third question shifts focus to restoration and grace: “How do we bring the grace of the gospel to the shame of abortion?”. This is a crucial element, recognizing the widespread impact of abortion not only on those who have directly participated but also on those who have remained silent or unwilling to act. It emphasizes the need for forgiveness and the freedom to return to serving God. Finally, the fourth question provides a call to action: “How do we respond? What does the Bible say that we should do to stop the shedding of innocent blood?”. This practical component explores biblical and theological ways to intervene, introducing models of pregnancy help and intervention observed around the world. We often describe this as having two halves of an apple: one, the teaching and theological half that inspires; and two, the practical half, which involves getting “dirt under our fingernails” to establish help ministries that save women, babies, and families from choices they might regret. A tangible tool often utilized in these discussions is the PassionLife Tiny Baby model, which visually represents what a baby looks like at nine weeks of age, fostering empathy and understanding.
The Latin America Team
Leading this extensive work in Latin America is Jeannie Pernia, our Director of Latin American operations, whose recent travel schedule exemplifies the intensity of our mission. Her passport has been stamped at ports of entry at least seven times in the last few weeks alone, a testament to her unwavering dedication. Jeannie, who grew up with a Puerto Rican mother and has a Cuban husband, is perfectly bilingual, embodying the international spirit of our team. While she resides in Orlando, her work frequently takes her across the continent.
Supporting Jeannie is a highly capable and diverse team. Anderson Ocampo, from Colombia, is an incredible teacher of the four questions, a respected writer, and a captivating speaker. Though young, Anderson is theologically astute and a tremendous asset, often traveling with Jeannie and other team members to teach throughout Latin America. We solicit prayer for Anderson, that he would run with boldness, and that his youth would not detract from the powerful message he carries, especially when teaching seasoned pastors. Then there is Naidu VMaring, whom we affectionately refer to as “the key” that opens all locks for us in Latin America. A doctor in theology, Naidu is recognized for her pro-life work throughout South and Central America and is an integral part of large organizations like Ibra Americano and Seed in Colombia, which work with Hispanic pastoral communities and women’s ministries. Her extensive relationships facilitate invitations for PassionLife into churches and associations across various countries. John Nienhuis, who initiated our work in Latin America, first in Cuba and then through a seminary in Medellín, Colombia, also remains a vital part of the team, participating in key trips. Other dedicated team members include Pastor Sandy and Dr. Ana in Cuba, and Herold and Par in Colombia, all committed to traveling, teaching, and reproducing our work. This diverse team, proficient in Spanish and dedicated to the mission, is truly “firing in all cylinders”.
Recent Missions: A Whirlwind Tour
This recent flurry of activity commenced approximately six to seven weeks ago with a significant tour to Guatemala. Our history with Guatemala dates back to 2019, with a planned return in 2020 that was unfortunately canceled by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the disappointment of 500 pastors being unable to attend then, the Lord sovereignly intervened, and our recent visit saw an astounding 800 pastors gather, the largest crowd we’ve ever hosted. Dr. Fernando Solades, a widely known and highly respected pro-life pastor in Guatemala with significant influence through radio and TV programs, was instrumental in inviting us. This provided a perfect platform to present the four questions and emphasize our objective of establishing pregnancy help ministries, which can range from formal offices to simply equipping individuals to offer support during crisis moments.
From Guatemala, the team moved directly to El Salvador. Here, existing leaders had extended invitations, and a particularly moving highlight was encountering a Cuban volunteer who had relocated to El Salvador. Her powerful testimony of PassionLife’s impactful work in Cuba resonated deeply with a local pastor’s wife, inspiring her to join the effort to establish similar ministries. The two nights of teaching the four questions, combined with personal testimonies, effectively demonstrated the feasibility of starting pregnancy centers and underscored the biblical calling for every pastor to protect those who belong to the Lord.
The next stop was Paraguay, where Naidu VMaring was invited to a women’s retreat. Seizing the opportunity, Jeannie and Naidu collaborated to teach the fundamental structure of the four questions to approximately 60 to 70 women. The women were deeply impacted by the biblical insights and embraced the idea of being trained to respond to crises and work together to impact their communities and churches with the gospel. These initial engagements often serve as catalysts for subsequent opportunities, leading to further training sessions.
Returning briefly home for a quick repack, Jeannie then embarked on a pivotal tour to Medellín, Colombia. This visit was described as an “awakening,” a clear demonstration of “the fruit of our labor”. Our work in Medellín began at a seminary where John Nienhuis had taught, initiating interactions with interested individuals whose ministries initially operated independently. However, during this recent trip, we witnessed the remarkable development of 11 different ministries that had emerged over the last seven years, now working together collaboratively. This extraordinary convergence signifies the deep roots our work has taken in Colombia, with the Lord bringing a palpable fire to the region.
Following Medellín, the journey continued to Chile, marking our third trip to the country. This visit underscored the ongoing nature of ministry, often requiring us to “prune the trees to see the fruit”. We are witnessing “wonderful things” developing in Chile, indicating continued growth and impact.
Subsequently, the team returned to Cuba, a country that holds a special place in PassionLife’s narrative. Jeannie has traveled to Cuba at least 35 to 40 times, and it is often referred to as our “Antioch” in Latin America – a place from which much of our regional work radiates. Cuba stands as a powerful testament to what God can accomplish through those with limited resources, with 22 distinct ministries flourishing across the island.
The most recent leg of this extraordinary journey took the team to Cartagena, Colombia, immediately after Cuba. Having just returned from this intense period of ministry, the energy and dedication of the team are palpable. While such extensive travel demands immense sacrifice, including supportive spouses who understand the seasons of ministry, the passion for the work fuels these efforts. As one of our colleagues often quips, “We love our job; it’s getting to work that’s the problem. It’s the commute that’s killer”. Yet, the commitment remains unwavering, understanding that “quality” is poured into every moment on the field.
The Global Missions Challenge and Call to Action
The profound impact of PassionLife’s work across Latin America highlights the urgent global missions challenge presented by abortion, with the United States accounting for only 3% of worldwide abortions annually. The vast majority of this crisis demands a dedicated, compassionate, and biblically grounded response. We invite everyone to follow the ongoing work of PassionLife and specifically to pray for our Latin America team. Our website features an events page where real-time information on our field activities is available, providing specific prayer points and opportunities for engagement. As the team prepares for a mission to the Dominican Republic at the end of the month, followed by a much-deserved period of rest for Jeannie, the spirit of “rescuing the most vulnerable, where abortion is most concentrated,” continues to drive our every endeavor.
This article is adapted from the episode transcript.