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By C*alebKuper 

Conference Report for the 2021 Argentine Summer Bible Conference: “An Approved Workman” 

The 2021 Argentine Summer Bible Conference was held online February 14-16 and hosted by Buenos Aires UBF, La Plata UBF, Paternal UBF and Rosario UBF. The title of our conference was “An Approved Workman” based on 2Timothy 2:15. Our prayer was for all of us to be raised up as God’s approved workmen.

There were approximately 50+ participants including 10 international guests: M. Andres Heo (Paraguay UBF) participated (currently in Korea while caring for his wife M Anna Heo). Mirta (PY UBF) also participated and Vanessa (Sao Paulo) who came through the invitation of Edeline (Bs As UBF). 

The first day began with virtual DB sharing by Edeline Mathurin (Bs As UBF).  Sunday message was given by M Noah Suarez of Buenos Aires UBF, entitled, “Follow Me” based on Matthew 9:1-13. Jesus saw the paralytic with eyes of compassion and called him, “son.” Then he declared his sins forgiven. Jesus also called another kind of paralytic, Levi, out of his selfish tax-collector life, and Levi was changed into St. Matthew. His message gave us great hope and comfort knowing Jesus welcomes all kinds of sinners and heals their bodies and souls with his word. Opening message was given by Camila Hernandez (La Plata UBF). The title of her message was “Rivers of Living Water” based on John 7:37-39. When we believe in Jesus we receive the forgiveness of our sins and the Holy Spirit who is like rivers of living water to quench our deep inner thirst. 

After the opening message, we heard two life testimonies, First, we heard from Iliana La Cruz (La Plata UBF). Her last name means the Cross. Her life was transformed by believing and receiving the living water from Jesus. She was followed by Victoria Reinaldo (Bs As UBF). She married by faith with Pastor Nico this past year and prays to be a good spiritual helper for P. Nico. 

The 2^nd day began with Daily Bread sharing online by M. Joseverlyn, the wife of M. Juan Carlos. She also led us in repeating the title in six languages. Then after free time we had GBS followed by the first main lecture by M Jose Ortega, entitled, Father, Forgive Them, based on Luke 23:26-49. M Jose talked about Jesus who forgave his enemies who surrounded the cross. In his own life, M Jose learned compassion by forgiving a family member who murdered his mother. Afterward, we heard the life testimony of M Yessika Loyo, the wife of M Jose. M Yessika struggled a lot in her marriage with M Jose. At one point, she wanted to get a divorce and run away with someone from work. However, God sent a lady to convince her not to do that but instead go and be reconciled to her husband, which she did. She was quite bold to share her very personal testimony at this conference. In this way, M. Jose practiced Jesus’ forgiving love even toward his wife. They are now getting ready to move to La Plata at the end of the month; M Yessika will do her masters there. They will join La Plata UBF as coworkers. 

Then we had testimony writing and sharing, followed by the evening program that consisted of a drama on the book of Ruth written by M Ruth Kim. The program was very encouraging and revealed the hope of salvation and the vision of marriage by faith. We pray for those of marrying age to be ready for God’s blessing in God’s time. 

The 3^rd day began with DB by Jose Moon (2^nd Gen, Paternal UBF). M Juan Carlos Vivas (La Plata UBF) gave us the second main lecture, entitled, A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus based on 2 Timothy 2:1-26. He explained how we were given the grace of Jesus to make us strong so that we could each be a good soldier of Jesus Christ and an approved workman of God. Afterward, my son John Kuper gave us a beautiful life testimony in which he shared his personal struggle as an MK who traveled from country to country. He said that his mom was a living love letter from God and that all hardships help us to grow spiritually. He is studying medicine at UBA and prays to overcome his medical studies, receive his citizenship and marry by faith in God’s time.

As always, we had a beautiful time in our GBSs and many shared their deep desire to grow up as good soldiers of Christ and approved workman of God. The program ended with a modern dance by our brothers and sisters of Buenos Aires UBF set to Spanish contemporary Christian music. They made us feel young again and full of gospel spirit. To God be the glory!

Praise God for granting us his living words through our 2021 Argentine SBC. Thank you for all your prayers! Through this conference, I was very encouraged and could restore my identity as a good soldier of Christ and an approved workman of God based on 2 Timothy 2:3 & 2:15.

We are praying for new disciples to enter our discipleship program and for a new English WS in Buenos Aires UBF to begin March 7. Please pray for us to focus on Jesus, God’s word and discipleship ministry as good soldiers of Christ and approved workmen of God. Thank you very much! To God be the glory!

*For more conference videos, please visit here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfWnNJStZTREIO2O0WbZXlA