Monday, February 4
Argentina/Paraguay/Uruguay
Eugenio, a pastor, has two passions: his radio program and athletics. Every week for nearly three years he went to the local radio station to broadcast his program, Sin Ruidos (without noises). During the same period, he trained every day for a marathon on the occasion of the anniversary of his town.
Finally, the awaited day had arrived, and many participants were ready for the competition. Eugenio had trained very hard and completed the race. Nearly exhausted after such a physical effort, Eugenio stepped up to receive his special recognition. With the glittering medal in his hands, he received the applause of the people, and then he went back into the crowd.
A man from the crowd approached Eugenio and told him, “During the past three years, I always listen to your radio program. I like it very much. I love your sense of vision from a Christian perspective in all the topical subjects you share on the radio. I would never have thought that you run marathons, not to mention performing well enough to receive recognition. When I heard your name as one of the athletes, I realized that you were the radio host.” The man was astonished; he discovered that what he thought related exclusively to church affairs was not so, that the church is involved in everyday life.
Pastor Eugenio shared this story to show us all the different paths in God’s mission. We share the gospel of Jesus Christ not only in our religious services or churches; the embodiment of the gospel takes place in the everyday life of women and men. The big challenge we have is to share our faith—which shows in what and who we are and in our gifts and talents—in the everyday places we live, work, and develop those God-given gifts and talents.
—Rev. Sonia Skupch, general secretary, Evangelical Church of Rió de la Plata
Let us join in prayer for:
PC(USA) People in Mission
Rev. Kathleen Griffin, professor of church history, Evangelical Institute for Higher Theological Studies (ISEDET)
Partners/Ministries
Association of the Church of God: Rev. Miguel A. Benitez, president, Rev. Jorge Julio Vaccaro, general secretary • Evangelical University Institute for Higher Theological Studies (ISEDET): Dr. José David Rodríguez, rector, Rev. Dr. Jerónimo Granados, academic dean • Waldensian Evangelical Church of Rió de la Plata: Rev. Marcelo Nicolau, moderator • Evangelical Church of Rió de la Plata (IERP): Rev. Carlos Duarte, president, Rev. Sonia Skupch, general secretary • Reformed Churches of Argentina (in process of merging with IERP): Rev. Gerardo Oberman, president • Regional Ecumenical Advisory and Service Center (CREAS): Humberto Shikiya, director, Catarina Bain, associate director
PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Analise Brown, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Kelly Riley Brown, Board of Pensions
Lorriane Brown, Office of the General Assembly
Let us pray
Thank you, loving God, that by the work of your Holy Spirit we are whole people touched by the whole gospel. Please guide and bless the work of the Evangelical Church of Rió de la Plata, that you would be honored in all they do. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Daily Lectionary
Morning Psalms 62; 145
First Reading Isaiah 51:17-23
Second Reading Galatians 4:1-11
Gospel Reading Mark 7:24-37
Evening Psalms 73; 9
