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Illinois Conference Leaders Help Launch Project Amigo

Updated: Jan 31

ILC President John Grys speaking on the opening night of 10 Days of Prayer
The Project Amigo team, composed of conference and union administrative leadership from across the Lake Union (credit: Ruben Casabona, Lake Union)
 

Matthew Lucio

ILC Assistant to the President for Communication

 

Far from home, Illinois Conference (ILC) President John Grys and Executive Secretary Michael Campos (accompanied by his wife, Erika) awoke in the mountains of Peru. A black flag on a stick signaled the presence of Project Amigo, a five-year initiative designed to deepen the relationship between the Lake Union Conference and the South Peru Union. Lake Union President Ken Denslow and conference officers from Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Lake Region participated in the project, joining Peruvian leaders and members to eat, talk, worship, and work together.


"Unlike traditional mission projects that focus solely on giving," wrote the Lake Union Herald, "this partnership is built on the premise of mutual benefit." Ken Denslow explained:


“We need to recognize their strengths and what they can teach us while contributing what we can. We’re stronger together.”

The new church in Chilca built by Project Amigo and Maranatha Ministries (credit: Ruben Casabona, Lake Union)
The new church in Chilca built by Project Amigo and Maranatha Ministries (credit: Ruben Casabona, Lake Union)

Lake Union leaders partnered with Maranatha Ministries to construct a church in Chilca for a company of Adventists—most of them children—who now worship there. Two Adventists, Carlos and Bessie, moved from Lima three years ago and began a children’s ministry in the surrounding area. Before long, their home was filled with 25 children gathering for worship and meals, making it clear that a dedicated building was needed.


Children and Project Amigo leaders sit together in Carlos and Bessie's home (credit: Ruben Casabona, Lake Union)
Children and Project Amigo leaders sit together in Carlos and Bessie's home (credit: Ruben Casabona, Lake Union)
Carlos and Bessie (credit: Ruben Casabona, Lake Union)
Carlos and Bessie (credit: Ruben Casabona, Lake Union)

In addition to the church, the Illinois and Michigan Conferences each built a parsonage for local pastors and their families in areas where it is difficult to find housing. At a dedication for one of the parsonages high up in the mountains, some of those gathered noted how hard it was to find adequate housing for pastors with small children. Before these parsonages were built, they often lived in the larger cities at lower elevations, leaving their families for days at a time as they visited the churches in the mountains. Thanks to these parsonages, pastors can spend more time with their families while ministering to their church members.


“The beauty of participating in projects like these,” Grys said, “is the mutual blessing we all receive as we work to advance the mission through concrete and mortar. Serving side by side reminds us that our church is a global church with global needs, united in serving the same God and preparing a people for His return.”


Erika Campos was inspired by the believers she met: "They are on fire and God's work is theirs."


One of the children attending Carlos and Bessie's house church holding a tablet gifted by the Lake Union (credit: Ruben Casabona, Lake Union)
One of the children attending Carlos and Bessie's house church holding a tablet gifted by the Lake Union (credit: Ruben Casabona, Lake Union)

Though the Seventh-day Adventist Church originated in the United States, only 5% of its global membership resides in the North American Division. This demographic shift highlights the importance of building stronger relationships with Adventists around the world.


Andrews University has also joined Project Amigo to provide educational opportunities, while AdventHealth is donating medical equipment. Project Amigo will also provide Lake Union members with opportunities to serve believers in Peru. A Project Amigo website with more information is expected to launch in Spring 2025. The Illinois Conference will continue to share updates on the progress of this exciting mission.


Next Steps:

For other photos of the trip, visit the Lake Union's Flickr album.




Update (Jan 31): Added Statements by Erika Campos


 

Please send any news items of what God is doing around the Illinois Conference to communication@ilcsda.org.


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Illinois Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Monday - Thursday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (CST)

619 Plainfield Road, Willowbrook, Illinois 60527, USA  |  (630) 716 3560  |  info@ilcsda.org

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Illinois Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is part of a worldwide church

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