Late last year the national board of Peru’s national Christian Missionary Alliance Church invited our partner in Comas to take on the responsibilities for leading two CMA churches outside of their district, one to the north in Pativilca and one to the south in Mala.  Both were struggling churches and needed strong, consistent direction and support.  Believing the requests for help were an opportunity for blessing from the Lord, Pastor Mario and his team said, “YES!”

Pativilca

Pativilca is a coastal town located approximately 125 miles (a 3-hour drive) to the north-northwest of Comas. Both are part of the greater Lima Region, with Comas sitting within the northern metropolitan area of Lima and Pativilca situated further up the coast in the Barranca Province.

Jhonny Pujay, a 68-year-old retired policeman, was the first Comas leader to volunteer to serve in Pativilca.  After completing seminary, he was seeking a new ministry, and Mario felt he was the ideal fit for this local church body.  In addition to his seminary degree, Jhonny has extensive experience working in the legal system.  This is critical because the church did not have the proper documents to validate its ownership of the property, and squatting is a problem in Peru.  In fact, some of its neighbors were already planning on occupying it.  Jhonny was able to get all the property documents in the CMA’s name, so that it cannot be taken over by squatters.  The property is large, similar in size to the church in Comas.

Along with his wife, Jhonny has made a two-year commitment to the church in Pativilca.  The couple will be splitting their time between Pativilca and Comas.  The church is growing.   Already this year, two new believers have been baptized, and eight more have given their lives to Jesus and are currently taking new believer classes.   

Jhonny says, “God continues working in Pativilca.  Each transformed life is a sign of His faithfulness.  The church continues to grow.  Everyone is serving with passion and hope. There are new challenges ahead.  Each meeting, each prayer and each service counts.  Each input leaves an eternal footprint.  Together, we continue proclaiming Christ.  We continue praying, serving and believing God for more. We are building a future for the mission.  Thanks for being a part of this work.”  

Known for its agrarian productivity, The Pativilca region supports high-yield Hass avocado and agricultural sectors. The town’s population is estimated at roughly 11,600 to 13,500 residents. Although it has been experiencing an ongoing population contraction over the past few decades, significant regional growth is expected in Pativilca driven by the new Chinese-backed $1.3+billion Port of Chancay. This massive megaproject is reshaping trade and logistics along the Peruvian coast, creating substantial spillover effects in Industrial and commercial development and thus, increased job opportunities.  

The Port Agribusiness expansion significantly cuts shipping transit times between Peru and Asia, opening new, highly profitable Asian markets for Peruvian exports like avocados and blueberries. Because of this, massive foreign and corporate investment is pouring into coastal agricultural projects in the Pativilca area to meet rising demand. Also, major highway enhancements are currently underway along the Pan-American Highway and connecting routes to link highland and coastal production zones with the megaport to facilitate heavy freight, creating a strong economic corridor.  

Mala

Mala is located on the coast of the Cañete Province of Peru, about 75 miles south of Comas.  It takes about 2.5 hours to get from one to the other. Mala’s population is almost 30,000.  However, the CMA church is on the outskirts in a small town of between 200 and 300 people. The town is home to a catholic church as well.  

The small church was having a difficult time after their pastor retired.  So, for the past six months, Grimaldo Espiritu and his wife, leaders in the CMA church in Comas, have been serving the church in Sunday services and in small group discipleship classes in homes.  Grimaldo still has his business in Comas, so they commute to Mala on the weekends. 

Grimaldo says that Mala is “a church with 12 years of history and a future full of hope.  Even with the limitations, God’s work continues strong.  Each meeting is an opportunity to transform lives.  There are challenges to face, also great opportunities to grow.  It’s a small congregation with a great calling.  With prayer, unity and commitment, the mission will continue.  Together we can strengthen this work and take the gospel even further.”