In December, 2025 the Lord graciously opened the door for me to travel once again to Lima, Peru, to visit a fellowship that is also called Koinonia, an outreach of Calvary Chapel. It was my third opportunity to serve there alongside dear brothers in Christ—Pastors Bil Gallatin, Ted Meilleur, John Thomas, and Lonnie Ferreiro.
Koinonia Lima is shepherded by Pastor Brian Vanderkodde, who was sent out years ago from Calvary Chapel Gainesville, Florida. The ministry began in 2001, and by God’s provision they moved into their current facility in 2006. Since then the Lord has used that work to plant several outreaches in Lima and in surrounding cities.
Our time in Peru was blessed far beyond anything we could have imagined. The church had recently entered a season of difficulty—their building was deemed unsafe to meet in by local authorities. That forced the congregation of about 300 believers to gather elsewhere on Sunday afternoons until the issue could be resolved. It remains a matter requiring earnest prayer.
Yet in the midst of that trial, the Lord brought forth unexpected blessing. While they searched for a suitable meeting place, the believers began gathering in homes for small-group study and prayer. And as only God can do, He turned that season of inconvenience into a Romans 8:28 moment. The church discovered how precious those small gatherings were. Even after God provided a public school auditorium for Sunday services, they made the decision to continue meeting bi-weekly in those home groups because of the spiritual fruit they were experiencing.
That became the focus of our ministry during this visit. Our team divided into three groups and visited various home fellowships on December 3, 5, and 6. The times of study, prayer, and fellowship were rich and deeply encouraging. We witnessed firsthand how the Lord was using this trial to draw His people closer to Himself and to one another. It was evident that this deepened unity and dependence upon the Lord might not have occurred apart from the fiery dart of opposition surrounding their building.
We went to minister to them, yet we found that we were the ones being ministered to. Their joy, resilience, and thanksgiving in the midst of uncertainty preached a powerful sermon to each of us. God reminded us once again never to waste a crisis—He is always at work in His people, both to will and to do His good pleasure.
Earlier in the week we had a chance to again visit the neighboring city of Ica, Peru to speak at a small church plant there. Back in Lima on Sunday, December 7, we attended three area church services in the morning and then joined Koinonia Lima for their 4 p.m. service.
After services we traveled about an hour to a beautiful retreat center, where we had the privilege of serving forty pastors, home-group leaders, and ministry servants. Together we spent time in the Word focusing on what it means to serve Jesus faithfully in the local church. Pastor Brian and others led workshops, and the four pastors who traveled together each shared a session on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Some of the pastors in attendance lead small church plants in the remote, jungle regions of Peru over the Andes Mountains. They said it took 24 hours for them to travel to the retreat center! I am looking forward to visiting them soon, Lord willing!
Please continue to pray for Koinonia Lima, Koinonia Ica, and the various church plants. May the Lord strengthen His servants, establish His Word, and cause the gospel to flourish in every corner of Peru.
Blessings in Jesus,
Pastor Ray
