Alabama Baptists provide impetus, example

Alexander Montero has a unique perspective on Alabama Baptists’ six-year partnership with the Baptists of Venezuela. For five of those years, Montero served as pastor of Iglesia Bautista El Dios Viviente (The Living God Baptist Church), Barquisimeto. Last year, he was elected general director of the National Baptist Convention of Venezuela. 
   
Montero points with pride to the growth in the number of Baptist churches in Venezuela. At the turn of the 21st century, there were 273 Baptist churches. Today there are 473. That is a growth of 200 churches, or an average of more than 30 churches a year. 
   
“Venezuela has a program called New Life in Jesus,” Montero said. “Alabama Baptists gave us an impetus in evangelism and church planting. That is something that will be remembered a long time.” 
   
The former pastor pointed to another contribution of Alabama Baptists — training local church leaders. 
   
He explained that while serving as a pastor, he led his church to participate in two evangelistic efforts and a medical-missions project. Montero said his members had to do a lot of preparation to host and work with Alabama Baptists. The result of the work was a new core of church leaders and a revitalized enthusiasm for the Lord.
   
Montero said these would be invaluable for Venezuelan Baptists as they continue in their New Life in Jesus emphasis. 
   
During the next five years, Venezuelan Baptists hope to train 5,000 new church leaders, start 2,500 new small groups or missions points and have 1,000 churches by 2010.
   
Montero had other words of praise for Alabama Baptists. “We have always had good relations with our North American brothers, but Alabama Baptists were the best,” he said. “They lived in our homes and ate our food. Sometimes that stretched the volunteers, especially when there was no one who could speak English in the homes.
   
“The willingness of Alabama Baptists to live with us and to eat with us made a lasting impact on the families with whom they stayed. Many family members were won to the Lord during these home stays,” Montero recalled. “We have a lot more to do here in Venezuela, and Alabama Baptists have set a good example for us.”