A letter from Philip and Bacilia Beisswenger in Guatemala
January 20, 2011
“You always have the poor with you.” (Mark 14:7)
Dear Friends,
As a mission co-worker, I’m sometimes invited to fill a pulpit. Not long ago, I preached on consecutive days at two churches. One was in downtown Guatemala City, the Iglesia Presbiteriana Central, founded in 1882. This dynamic congregation, mostly upper-middle class Ladinos (those who consider themselves descendants of Spaniards), takes pride in Reformed liturgy. My message about God’s grace and the priesthood of all believers was received warmly, and I appreciated how generously they tolerated the stumbles in my Spanish.
Anniversary celebration — reception of those newly baptized.
The day before, I preached at a Presbyterian church in the remote village of Las Pinadas. Getting there involved a long, dreary bus ride, a harrowing journey through the mountains in a pick-up and a hike up a steep, slippery path. What I found was an overflowing temple with people dancing in the aisles to the sounds of an electric band. The church, named Camino de la Salvación (Way of Salvation), was celebrating its 11th anniversary with a three-hour service that included the dedication of infants, the reception of 18 newly-baptized adults (see photo), the ordination and installation of elders and a wedding.
I suspect the scene at this church might raise the eyebrows of a few U.S. Presbyterians. Some might be disturbed by the Pentecostal-style worship, not to mention the resistance to infant baptism and the absence of women elders. These issues, by the way, are debated passionately among Guatemalan Presbyterians.
Nonetheless, if churches like historic Central are theological anchors for Presbyterianism in Guatemala, churches like Camino de la Salvación are sails that collect new spiritual power. They’re sails not because of less inhibition in some ways and more rigidity in others. It’s because they’re an expression of the faith of the poor. Among Guatemalan Presbyterians there’s little debate on this issue — churches in poor communities should be embraced.
The people in Las Pinadas are Poqomchí, one of Guatemala’s marginalized indigenous groups. Carlos, the pastor, is a subsistence farmer, like others in his church. When not tending to his corn field, he visits the sick and helps neighbors. With a primary education and a little pastoral training, Carlos has some interest in how to apply Reformed beliefs and practices in his ministry. Most of all, he loves his church and strives to be a true servant.
Jesus told his disciples, “You always have the poor with you.” Christians have puzzled over these words ever since. Was Jesus resigned to the incessant sin of poverty? Are attempts to promote social justice a waste of time?
Or should Jesus’ words be taken more as a personal challenge to his disciples? If so, the message is that for us to be his Church, we need the poor in our midst. They’re indispensable. If the poor aren’t with us, we lose a crucial part of our identity as the body of Christ.
While greeting people after worship in Guatemala City and Las Pinadas, people kindly told me, “It’s been a blessing to have you here.” At both churches my reply was: “The blessing’s been mine, to be here with you and to be here with God.”
Thank you for your prayers and support for God’s mission, and my family, in Guatemala.
Philip Beisswenger
The 2011 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 286
