For this special Easter season, OA South America planned a 3-day Regional Retreat (from April 18 to 20), which is being carried out by Nodes. The theme is “The Cross of Precious Blood”, and the central text is Romans 4:25. Around 200 people are participating in this retreat, and it is aimed at committed members and potential Bible students (a total of 32 young people).
This Easter Retreat is especially significant for the region, as it is the first time that the importance of the Resurrection in the justification of the believer is being thoroughly explored through 7 in-depth lectures. For the past 4 years, the emphasis had been on understanding the foundational role of the Cross of Christ. Now, it is being complemented with the Power of the Resurrection. In this way, South American members are maturing in their faith by grasping these Gospel-revealed truths: the Cross and the Resurrection.
These teachings are based on biblical expositions or sermons delivered within our community over the past 5 years during Easter services. It has been truly moving to see members taking notes in their notebooks or on their computers, appreciating the Word more and more each day-even competing with each other to retain every detail of the messages. This treasure of faith is becoming more and more real among the South American members.
In addition to this, it is important to highlight that this has been a unique opportunity for Christian fellowship among members from different countries that belong to the same Node, as follows:
At the OC Colombia, countries of the “Gran Colombia Node” gathered: Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador. On this occasion, Venezuela held its own retreat at the OC Puerto Ordaz.
At the Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Lima (Peru), members and potential students from the “Andean Node” gathered: Peru, Bolivia, and Chile.
At a Retreat Center in Buenos Aires (Argentina), members and potential students from the “Southern Node” gathered: Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay.
And at the OC Brazil, members also gathered in this movement of grace, renewing their commitment to the Lord and celebrating the One who conquered death.
We pray that this Easter may not be just another event, but a complete transformation in every nation. May the echo of the Cross and the Power of the Resurrection mark a new stage of unity, expansion, and faithfulness. May Christ be exalted in every corner of South America, and may the fire the Lord ignited in this retreat burn unquenchably in every heart.