Worldwide Prayer Meeting

Dec 3, 2024 | by Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee

Worldwide Prayer Meeting 

Prayer Focus:

South America West Territory

Santiago, Chile Cityscape

Rejoice! The Lord is king! The Psalmist asked, “Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?” (Psalm 2:1). It is inevitable that no matter how evil plots, wars and rages, it must bend the knee before the all-conquering Savior and Lord. The issue is not in doubt. Although the struggle is real and the forces arrayed against righteousness continue to hurl the best, they have against those who stand for the Lord, our God reigns. Put your armor on. The battle is most assuredly the Lord’s.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You that You have never abandoned the world that You created, nor we, the people You made with Your own hands. We acknowledge that we as a race have repeatedly in each generation given You reasons to abandon us and leave us to our own devices, but You continue to love us still. I also acknowledge that as an individual I have failed You repeatedly, yet You continue to love me. I remember, no, I cling to the words from John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son...” You came for me and people like me. As I approach Christmas, I am reminded of that even more. I don’t like what I see in the world and a lot of times I don’t like what I see in me. But I love what I see in You. Thank You for loving me and saving me. Continue to conform me to the image of Christ. Let me be a messenger of Your love to the world so that they may know. They must know! I pray this in Your precious name. Amen.

Background of the

South America West Territory

            The South America West Territory is comprised of four countries: Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia. Below is background information on each country:

            Bolivia: Bolivia is a landlocked country and the poorest one in South America. Approximately 70% of the population lives in poverty and half of those live in extreme poverty. Although it has legitimate uses, coca leaf production also has illicit uses and the government can’t control this.

            On the positive side, evangelical churches are growing even though the Catholic Church retains the status as the State Church. Leadership training is needed to provide the foundation needed. Work among young people needs to be developed and expanded since 67% of Bolivia’s population is under 30 years of age.

            Chile: After suffering under the Pinochet dictatorship, Chile has emerged to a place of social and economic stability. But there have been some long term problems including a trend that resulted in 60% of children being born out of wedlock and one out of seven Chilean women becoming mothers by age 14. Although evangelical churches have enjoyed encouraging growth, less than half of those claiming to belong to them attend worship weekly. There has been poor leadership development which may be partly to blame.

            Ecuador: Ecuador has suffered from unstable governance for many years which has seriously compromised its ability to progress. Ecuador is the world’s largest exporter of bananas. Some encouraging economic growth has occurred. The Catholic Church’s traditional dominance has eroded and some in response have launched violent attacks against Protestant churches including burning down churches and participating in mob violence. Despite this, evangelical churches are growing.

            Peru: Having suffered a long history of repressive military governments and dictatorships, Peru has also been buffeted by violent Maoist guerilla groups that have roamed the countryside and wreaked havoc. Poverty affects 50% of the population with 20% suffering from extreme poverty. There has been recent turnaround in socio-political progress being made that looks promising.

            The Catholic Church enjoys the status as the State Church but evangelicals have seen their numbers increasing at a rate never seen before. There has been particular evangelical growth among the indigenous Quechua and Amazonian peoples, descendants of the Incas.

            The Salvation Army commenced operations in Chile officially on October 1, 1909 under the direction of Brigadier and Mrs. William T. Bonnet in Valparaíso. The first corps was opened in Santiago on November 28. Work opened in Peru in 1910. Work followed in Bolivia in 1920. Ecuador opened in 1985.

Facts, Stats and Leadership of the

South America West Territory

• Total population with which to fish and disciple: 82,350,644
• 218 officers, 8 cadets, and 1,071 employees
• 108 retired officers
• 92 corps; 5 outposts
• 4,794 senior soldiers
• 1,362 adherents
• 1,601 junior soldiers

Leadership

Colonel Alex Nesterenko - Territorial Commander

Colonel Luz Nesterenko - Territorial President of Women's Ministries

Lt. Colonel Raul Bernao - Chief Secretary

Lt. Colonel Lidia Bernao - Territorial Secretary for Women's Ministries

Prayer Requests of the

South America West Territory

We give thanks to God and continue to pray for:

• New opportunities to spread the gospel with new openings works in: Viña del Mar in Chile, Viñami, Ventanilla, Pachacutec in Peru.

• New families coming to Christ and linked to corps. In 2023, 282 new families came to faith and connected with The Salvation Army and in 2024, to date, 132 new families. 

• Our Territorial Women’s Ministries Camp 2024 which took place from 22 – 27 October 2024.  Women from Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia gathered together for the first time in eight years under the theme Connected (based on John 15). We are also expecting 500 women in Ancon-Peru to gather following a Territorial Officers’ Councils under the theme Send Me!

• 19 candidates who are expected to go into officer training in 2025 (currently 14 have been accepted and 5 are still in process).

• The ten new Love feeding centers (that those who attend these centers will not only find food but will find salvation in Jesus too)

• The three new offices in Peru, Ecuador and Chile to support vulnerable women. These offices have been opened in response to the Battle Cry with one due to open in Bolivia as well.

• The continuing initiatives which seek to ensure all our Salvation Army officers are able to obtain 100% of their allowance.

USA Southern Territory

Prayer Requests

• Major Bobby Westmoreland, Assistant Territorial Secretary for Personnel, Personnel
• Spiritual Life Development Department
• Cheryl Riley, Administrative Assistant, ARC Command
• Jatoyia Armour, Training and Mentoring Specialist, THQ CRD Interchange
• Lakisha Germain, Human Resources Administrative Supervisor, Human Resources
• Captain Jordan Hinson, Director of Mission & Ministry, Evangeline Booth College
• Cadet Aaron Simpson
• Captain Andrea Israel, Divisional Candidates’ Secretary, Florida Division
• Major Susie Erickson, Program Secretary, Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar & Thailand Territory
• Colonel James Betts, National Chief Secretary, NHQ
• Lt. Colonels Art & Ann Penhale, officers, soldiers, employees, and volunteers of the Texas Division
• Angel Tree
• Anonymous prayer request that we remember to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the lost everywhere.

Something to Consider

                                                               Prince of Peace

Captain Wayne Meads                  

“For to us a child is born to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

The wear and tear of our daily lives makes us crave for comfort, for quietness the world cannot offer. Today’s Scripture uplifts from the earthly struggles to the divine promise completed in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah predicted a Child who would bring hope and eternal rule—a Child who would bear the world's burdens and bring unending peace. In our struggle through life's difficulties, let us understand that the government on His shoulders is a significant guarantee that He is in full control.

This peace remains even amid the chaos. It is the peace Jesus spoke of when He said, "My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives" (John 14:27). In adversity, His counsel is unfailing, His power is unbreakable, and His government is eternally good because He is our Mighty God.

The titles for Jesus in this passage are not simply names. They are qualities reflecting His relational closeness to us. He is our Mighty Counselor, illuminating the darkness that shadows our senses. He is our strong God, giving power when all our power is gone. Being our Everlasting Father, He loves us with a love that never passes and gives peace to our troubled hearts.

A Child was born for us—a Son given—in the small town of Bethlehem, wrapping divinity in humanity so that we could wrap our weary hearts in His peace.

- From Embracing Shiloh: Daily Revelations of the Promised Messiah

Benediction

Father Eternal, I seek for peace in the activities of my days where peace is not to be found. Today, I look at You again, to Your promise of Your Son, Jesus, whose arrival Isaiah prophesied with such longing and grandeur.  Thank You for sending the Prince of Peace into this broken world and into my broken heart. Amen.