Transformation NOW! v.1 issue 1
Jesus is Lifted over Buenos Aires
A HISTORIC CHRISTMAS SEASON
JANUARY 2007
Greetings in the wonderful name of our Lord! 2007 is going to be the best year yet for transformation of nations. Incredible things are happening and even better things are to come. In our last report you heard how Dr. Telerman, the governor of Buenos Aires, received the Lord this past November. Under his direction the city government planned a historic Christmas celebration with the theme, “Put Jesus Back into Christmas.” Not bad for a brand new believer! Here is the much-anticipated report from Pablo Abeleira. Take the time to read this wonderful report; it will definitely encourage you!
Ed Silvoso
REPORT FROM PABLO ABELEIRA
With great joy we report that this Christmas Jesus was lifted up all over Buenos Aires, many people came to the Lord and we moved forward in discipling the city.
CHRISTMAS DINNER ON THE CITY STREETS
There were about a thousand people present for the Christmas Eve dinner on the street in front of the Governor’s mansion [the Argentine equivalent of Pennsylvania Ave.], many of them homeless people that had no one to celebrate Christmas Eve with. The government gave them a beautifully presented dinner, including a musical show and a gift for each person. My family and I served with over 150 volunteers, mobilized by the governor’s office; ironically many of them were Jewish. In every aspect of the dinner the government stressed quality. Their goal was to honor and dignify those who have been overlooked by society. We had the opportunity to pray with many people and lead several to the Lord. It was a historic day for Buenos Aires, and the best Christmas we ever experienced as a family.
JESUS WELCOMED INTO BUENOS AIRES!
For the musical show, we had invited a very well-known Argentine folk singer. I am not aware if this man has any connection with the Evangelical church, or if he is even a believer, nonetheless, he was not merely performing, he led the people in worship! On various occasions during the singing he said to the crowd “Let’s all invite Jesus into our hearts this Christmas!”
The government invited me to share the stage with a Catholic priest gave me the opportunity to lead the crowd in a prayer. I asked them to hold hands, thank God for the dinner and then all together we welcomed Jesus into Buenos Aires and into our hearts. Wow! This was historic! This was not a church meeting inside four walls. This was a gathering representing the city in the heart of Buenos Aires. A Jewish governor, a catholic priest, an evangelical pastor, the government, business and education were all represented along with 1500 witnesses. We all invited Jesus into our city.
Mayor Opens His Heart to the Lord
After the dinner Dr. Telerman pulled me aside to share with me. He said that since he prayed with Ed Silvoso, Chuck Ripka and myself back in November [to receive Jesus as his Messiah] he has “not been the same, something has changed in here [touching his heart]. I have to follow this new thing. Let’s please keep in touch.” We have decided to meet regularly.
GOVERNMENT COMMISSIONS CHURCHES TO TAKE CHRISTMAS TO THE STREETS
Ten days prior to the Christmas dinner the governor invited the evangelical pastors to a meeting in his office. He honored them and thanked them not only for their social contribution to the city, but also for their spiritual contribution. Then, in addition to inviting them to send volunteers to help with the Christmas dinner, he encouraged them to get outside of their four walls and do something in the community to celebrate Christmas.
The Government and the church, both Catholic and Evangelical, lifted up Jesus all over the city by placing 10 live manger scenes in prominent plazas of Buenos Aires. Monica and I went to many of these places to pray and declare God’s presence all over the city. In addition to the manger scenes in the plazas, the government encouraged the churches to take Christmas to the streets because “the community needs what you have.” More than seventeen churches went to the streets to perform live Christmas scenes to declare that Jesus is who Christmas is all about.
THIS CHRISTMAS INVITE JESUS INTO YOUR LIFE
In partnership with the pastoral council of Buenos Aires, with the blessing of the government, we strategically placed around the downtown sector of the city, 30 billboards that said, “Don’t just celebrate, give of yourself. This Christmas invite Jesus into your life.” We can only estimate the numbers, but literally millions of people saw the billboards and the manger scenes!
IT IS A NEW DAY FOR BUENOS AIRES
We finished 2006 with great joy and gratitude to the Lord and to all of you. It is a new day for Buenos Aires and Argentina!
FELIZ ANIO NUEVO (Happy New Year)