(Tim and Mary Lou Tiner are CCCC members and long-time missionaries. They have served for many years in Austria, and are now making a move to the Western Hemisphere — in Peru.)

Victories in Peru

Hello Faithful Prayer Partners,

Exciting Kingdom ministry in Peru through the Tiner Pair!

Hola from Peru! We just finished an amazing month in Peru. We started out in San Bartola, right on the ocean, for the International Training Institute. Beautiful location! Almost 100 pastors and leaders attended, six courses were taught, time was spent praying over the leaders individually, and there were a lot of deep times of sharing. There were 13 members of the US team who came to teach or pray.

Tim and I were teaching Old Testament Survey and we noticed that some of our students were not very excited about taking this course. The idea of studying or teaching from the OT is considered “old” and unnecessary. Our prayer and goal was that our students would gain a new passion for ALL of God’s Word, especially, the Old Testament, and that they would see JESUS in every book. The Lord truly helped us, and by the end of the course many of our students confessed their lack of desire to take this course at the beginning, but now they were so thrilled and excited, as God’s Word had come alive for them! They loved the teaching and plan to use this in their churches and ministries. Praise God!

The highlight of our first week was attending the graduation of 20 of our students. These students have completed the eight courses we offer in the International Training Institute (this process can take around two years). The majority of these pastors and leaders have had no or little formal education. Seeing the joy and pride on their faces as they received their diplomas brought to life the reason why we do what we do! How we love training leaders!

The rest of the team returned to the States, while we (Tim and Mary Lou) remained for two additional weeks of intense ministry. During this time we led nine marriage seminars — some short, others long — but all very fruitful as we taught on God’s plan for marriage. One of the most exciting marriage seminars we led was in the men’s prison! Over 250 men attended, as well as some of the wives. This was hosted by a prisoner-led church, which was started just a few years ago by prisoners who had come to Christ. Today their membership is over 200, they have planted new churches in other cell blocks, hold daily Bible Studies, and even support a Peruvian missionary with their tithes!! More than half of the men stood the entire four hours because there weren’t enough seats available, and yet they remained entirely engaged and eager to learn. At the end of the seminar, we invited any of the men to come forward to pray for their marriages and families. Over 50 men came forward, many weeping, praying for forgiveness, healing, and restoration of their families. It was deeply moving for us to see the brokenness of these men but also to see their love for Jesus.

We also taught a week-long course on Biblical counseling for a group of mission students, preached at several other churches, and did a lot of one-on-one counseling. Another highlight for us was a large outdoor evangelistic outreach that we preached at. This was sponsored by one of the churches where we led a marriage seminar, and they wanted to do an outreach in their community. This open-air service was held on a soccer field. We estimate that over 500 attended and at least 100 came forward for prayer and to make decisions!

We are awe of all the fruit the Lord produced in this time of ministry in Peru! What a joy it is to serve Jesus! Lord willing, we will be returning for the next International Training Institute in February. Plans are also being made to train Peruvian leaders in marriage ministry and Biblical Counseling. Our book on marriage (“It Started In the Garden”) is being translated into Spanish and we hope to have it available for our next trip there.

Together with Jesus!

Tim and Mary Lou