The community in Santiago, Chile, recently gathered around a pool of water to witness the baptism of six brothers and sisters. It was a day framed by music, shared meals, and stories of faith, marking a milestone of obedience for the new believers. The celebration lasted hours, filling the church with a tangible sense of renewal.

But the echoes of that joyful day had barely faded when the church was reminded of how quickly things can change.

Pastor Carlos Quiroga suffered a stroke, shifting the community’s focus from collective rejoicing to a heavy trial. The road to recovery has started, but it is steep. His rehabilitation is intense, requiring major changes to his daily activity and diet. Yet, even with Carlos confined to therapy, the family’s dedication to their neighbors has not wavered. His wife, Zulema, continues to run a vital community foundation, ensuring local families facing hardships still find food on the table.

Recognizing the heavy burden now resting on Zulema’s shoulders, the rest of the congregation realized they could not let the pastoral family carry the weight alone. As Carlos heals, a quiet transformation is taking place within the church leadership. Younger leaders are stepping up to carry the mantle of ministry, walking right alongside the Quirogas. This shift ensures the work in Santiago stays vibrant, proving that the roots of this community run deep.

Though Carlos and Zulema cannot travel to be with us in person this summer, the stories of those six new lives travel in their place. We look forward with hope to the day they will join us again at the General Conference. Until then, we rest in the promise that those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Please join us in prayer for Pastor Carlos’s complete healing, for Zulema’s endurance as she balances caregiving and ministry, and for the faith of the new believers to take deep root.

Respectfully submitted,
Scott Soden

Director of Global Partners & Advancement