The territory of the El Salvador Mission in Central America is a small country of 8,260 square miles and 4.5 million inhabitants. During the past two years social and political upheavals have shaken the nation. Our church at present has a membership of 12,000 members scattered in sixty-two churches with only fourteen pastors. But in spite of these apparent obstacles, this relatively small field has accomplished exceptional undertakings in evangelism and soul winning during the past two years.
In 1979 a new evangelism (aptly named "Nationwide Evangelistic Campaign") was inaugurated with truly astonishing results. By May 12, 1979, 1,826 souls were baptized (see MINISTRY, October, 1979, pp. 8, 9). As the year came to a close, each pastor had baptized more than 100 souls, and one baptized 450!
So far in 1980, the plan has been repeated. Beginning in November, 1979, thousands of church members in El Salvador started to work as missionary mailmen. Others participated in evangelistic units or in baptismal classes. At the end of January, 1980, every pastor, teacher, administrator, departmental worker (even their secretaries), and 150 church members began evangelistic meetings in every corner of the country! In addition, 100 church members were in charge of teaching and giving Bible studies to those interested. Baptismal classes were also functioning on the same plan.
This united, nationwide campaign, in which both workers and laity participated, has produced excellent results. During the first two months of 1980, 686 were baptized. On Sabbath, March 29, a baptism at Lake Ilopango united 950 souls to the church in a ceremony at tended by more than 5,000. This baptism went forward as planned in spite of political disturbances within the country and what amounted to a virtual paralysis of transportation. Baptisms for the first quarter of 1980 totaled 1,823. Financial investment in the plan amounted to only $3,200! At the end of the first quarter, ten pastors had already become centurions by baptizing 100 persons.
Those who are acquainted with El Salvador and the situation that presently exists there cannot do less than admit that such results are a miracle, a manifestation of God's love and His mighty power. Several factors, however, made it possible for God's Spirit to work: (1) administration and departmental leaders gave their total support to the plan of evangelism; (2) well-organized, detailed plans were made far in advance, with sufficient time to develop each phase; (3) every church was a part of the plan; (4) every pastor was deeply involved and participated with enthusiasm; (5) ample time was provided for adequate ground work; (6) when the campaign was launched, every worker, both clergy and laity, joined in preaching with perfect harmony; (7) church members did an outstanding job in laying the ground work, in preaching, and in preparing the candidates. Ninety percent of the baptisms can be attributed to their efforts.
Pastor Raul Rodriguez, president of the El Salvador Mission during 1979, and Pastor Juan Otoniel Perla, who currently occupies the position, are both young men of wide vision, convinced that the primary objective of the church is to finish the work through the united efforts of workers and laity. The treasurer, Adaias Rivas, as well as the departmental leaders, cooperated splendidly. Pas tor Carlos Aeschlimann, Ministerial secretary of the Inter-American Division, coordinated the program during 1979, and in 1980 Pastor Victor Elias Collins, Ministerial secretary of the Central American Union, led out.
After being implemented in El Salvador for two years, this plan demonstrates by its results that it is a powerful tool for the finishing of the gospel.
