360Go Report: Men's Ministry Launched in Peru

Last November, I had the privilege of leading a 360Go team of 15 men invited to assist missionaries Ben and Gini Harper to host Peru’s first Avanca Hombres conference.

In one week, we hosted and served over 30 Peruvian ministers interested in ministry to men. We prepared three meals a day, showered our guests with gifts, introduced them to American games like "corn hole," and learned about each other’s cultures.

Preparing gifts for more than 30 Peruvian men coming to participate in the Avanca Hombres conference.

Our tea cooked three meals per day for 40-50 people (and in a very tiny kitchen). Yes, cooking is a ministry gifting!

Three Spanish-speaking pastors led twice-daily sessions focused on developing effective ministry to men and preached evening services. They covered subjects such as:

- God's heart for ministry to men

- Dealing with temptation and shame

- Having a missional heart

- Balancing ministry with marriage and fatherhood

- Being a priest in the home, church, and community

Joshua Rivera, pastor of Fuego Church in Dallas, Texas, was one of our guest speakers. 

Eli Simental, pastor of Family Christian Center in Sylmar, California, was another guest speaker. But he found time for his other passion--grilling for a big group.

There were many great moments and experiences. However, I will highlight three. One was near the end of the week when we presented each Peruvian minister with a Spanish edition of the FireBible, the #1 Study Bible in the world. Each Peruvian man was shocked they would get such an amazing and high quality Bible just given to them. Light for the Lost funds purchased the FireBibles and made them available. Thank you, Light for the Lost partners!

Every Peruvian man received a Spanish FireBible provided with Light for the Lost funds.

Second, we spent hours and hours time eating and talking with our Peruvian brothers about family, marriage, work, and serving Jesus. We found many things in common and many things to celebrate.

Third, it was an interesting challenge to arrive in the Cuzco region and suddenly find ourselves at 10,500 feet. Most of the team dealt with significant oxygen and breathing struggles. For me, I found it exciting to have a physical challenge to overcome. Preaching at altitude is not for wimps! But our missionary hosts were prepared--the Harper's had oxygen tanks for everyone. The Harpers are quality missionaries!

The ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, Peru. 360Go men travel long, work hard, and then play hard.

By week’s end, a number of our Peruvian brothers expressed they felt God asking them to return home and launch a ministry to men in their home churches. We celebrated this with them, and did not expect to see results as quickly as we did.

On our last day in country, Sunday, we visited a local Assembly of God church and got to dedicate in prayer the very first church-based ministry to men in the Cuzco region.

The entire week's experience was a powerful picture of 360Go in action—men serving missionaries, strengthening local leaders, and partnering with LFTL to help advance God’s kingdom. If you would like to see a highlight video of the Peru trip, click here. Also, you can learn more about 360Go trips opening up soon at men.ag.org/360Go.

Meet Some of the 360Go Peru Team!

"What a joy to see a group of men seeking God’s presence—not only God’s presence, but equipping themselves for the assignment God has given them for their region. As a pastor, I feel honored and happy to be a part of what God is doing in this ministry.”

Joshua Rivera

Pastor, Fuego Church

Dallas, Texas

“This is definitely something I feel everyone needs to experience. It’s a good thing. Don’t be afraid. If you’re not for sure, just do it. You won’t regret it.”

Adam Devart

1. Rosemont, West Virginia

“It was such a blessing when we were handing out the FireBibles…you could see that God’s presence was all upon them. We came out here to serve, but in that we were ministered to. God just does something that only he can.”

Jason Hanks

Crowley, Louisiana