19 June 2006
In the English-speaking world, you might not hear about Chilean missionaries serving in North Africa or India, but the numbers are steadily on the rise. The mission vision of Chilean congregations is expanding, thanks in part to the work of Hans and Carmen Ziefle.

A perfect fit

In 1995, while SIM Chile was increasing its commitment to mission promotion, Hans, Carmen, and their three children were sent out from Germany, through SIM's partner mission, DMG to form part of a mission promotion camp ministry near Santiago.

After 10 years working with the mission camp and Chile's first local mission agency, Hans and Carmen became full members of SIM Chile. The fit has been perfect. The Ziefles are confident that in the long-term, God will motivate hundreds of churches to send out missionaries.

Their ministry strategy involves:

• Establishing and cultivating friendships with pastors and elders of churches;
• Organizing mission conferences;
• Promoting mission-related materials for Chilean churches
• Complete Master's Degrees in mission during the next year.

Hans and Carmen's goal is to help a variety of denominations and congregations grow in their holistic vision of world mission.

Developing a heart for mission

Pastor Sergio leads the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Santiago. His vision for the church's outreach did not extend past the city of Santiago until he participated in a mission conference. Shortly after the conference, Pastor Sergio called Hans seeking help to guide his congregation to develop a heart for the nations. They planned a full month of mission emphasis, spread out over eight gatherings.

As a result, the congregation entered a period of seeking God's forgiveness for having been self-centred for so many years, and they made a commitment to support Chilean missionaries in prayer and finances. Five members formed a mission committee.

In just three more years, God developed a solid mission program:

• The second year the missions conference included an emphasis on giving, and the church's financial commitment to mission doubled!
• During year three, Emmanuel Baptist adopted a couple as their own missionaries, and sent them out as the sole recipients of their mission budget.
• In the fourth mission conference, the congregation approved a strategy commitment for the next 10 years.
• Pastor Sergio has become a board member of a Chilean mission agency and has visited their missionaries on the field during his personal holiday time.
• This past summer, 10 young people worked along side their missionaries in Paraguay for 1 month.

If God can do this with Emmanuel Baptist, a church of just 50 members, any church with a clear vision is capable of unlimited involvement in world mission!

God is transforming people's world views throughout Chile. Reflecting on his ministry, Hans comments "I think we will enjoy only the first fruits, but the next generation will hopefully reap the abundant harvest."

Get Involved

Do you need help cultivating mission vision in your local church? Your local SIM office can help.