Representatives from Vene-zuela and Alabama signed documents Jan. 25 at the Evangelism Conference in Dothan. The signing officially kicked off the Alabama Baptist State Convention’s most recent undertaking — a partnership with that South American nation. The partnership, which lasts through 2005, is designed to benefit both Venezuela and Ala-bama.
“It has the meaning of collaboration, partnership, participation and evangelism together,” said Daniel Rodriguez, general administrator of the National Baptist of Venezuela (NBV).
“We believe this is an opportunity God has given us together to be able to reach others who don’t have Jesus Christ as their Savior,” he said.
The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has been working with Venezuela to reach others for Christ for a long time. The first SBC missionaries arrived in 1945, forming their first church in July of that year. The Venezuela Baptist Convention was organized Aug. 8, 1951.
Although challenges such as the population increase prove to be great, “We are working fundamentally in four areas of work,” said Jacobo Garcia, secretary of evangelism and missions for the convention.
The first focus area for the partnership is prayer. Leaders anticipate 10,000 people in Venezuela and Alabama will pray for the partnership.
“It’s very important as we work together that we look to the Lord for direction,” Garcia said. He noted prayer is already taking place on both sides as leaders have prepared for the partnership.
Secondly, it is anticipated the partnership will help Venezuelan Baptists to establish new churches. The nation currently has 270 NBV churches. Leaders hope to increase this number by 300 while also adding 500 new mission churches.
Garcia said equipping leaders is the third goal of the partnership.
NBV has one seminary and five Bible institutions. Venezuelan Baptists need leaders to become pastors to serve as leaders in the new work that will come in the next five years.
The final area of concentration is among specific works within the NBV. This includes the Venezuelan Woman’s Missionary Union, construction teams, medical work teams and evangelistic teams. Each of the groups has a specific relationship to the venture regarding the fellowship of working and praying together.
Volunteers will be needed throughout the partnership. Garcia hopes people will contact the State Board of Missions (SBOM) to volunteer as they learn about the partnership.
Garcia said volunteers are being recruited for the first trip endorsed by the SBOM, a medical evangelism trip that will take place in April.
While not an official part of the state partnership, two associations already have partnerships with Venezuela.
The Bessemer Association has a partnership with an International Missions Board (IMB) team in the city of Caracas.
Although this doesn’t fit into the national scheme, it is hoped the partnership will be incorporated with other missions efforts. The association has helped the team by responding to specific construction needs.
The Colbert-Lauderdale Association is in partnership with a Valencia-based IMB team working with low income people.
The SBOM is encouraging churches and associations to team up with one of the 10 Venezuelan associations or a Venezuelan missions team through adoption.
Requests have been turned in by several teams for assistance by way of adoption. The SBOM hopes to coordinate requests both from Baptists in Venezuela as well as from missionaries there.
Garcia described the NBV’s relationship with the IMB as one that has always been great.
“Right now, we’re looking at ways we can still be united. It’s not easy,” Garcia said in reference to the lack of participation between some conventions and the IMB.
“In the process of coming together, we can’t enter into a time of debate,” Garcia said. “We have to look at ways we can work together and become one in our direction.”
Garcia noted the most important goal of both organizations is to bring lost people to Christ.
Also, as goals are brought together and adjusted, “we can meet the end together.”
Although the partnership goals focus primarily on Venezuela, the ultimate goal is not one-sided.
Domingo Chacin, national convention coordinator for the partnership and Venezuelan volunteer coordinator, said NBV is “wanting to take advantage of volunteer resources that come our way, but also to give of ourselves.”
“We want to underline this is not a one-way partnership,” Garcia said, stressing Venezuelans don’t want to be seen as merely an opportunity to participate in another missions proj-ect but as people who can contribute spiritually as well. Since there are more than 100,000 Hispanics in Ala-bama, Venezuelan Baptists want to help Alabama Baptists reach them for Christ.”
Garcia said the theme chosen for the NBV the next five years is “There is life in Jesus Christ.”
“We come together under one goal,” Rodriguez said, “reaching the lost for Jesus Christ.”
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