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​Pastores bi-vocacionales… Bi-vocational pastors…

5/18/2017

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"Los ancianos que gobiernan bien, sean tenidos por dignos de doble honor, mayormente los que trabajan en predicar y enseñar."  1 Timoteo 5:17

Frecuentemente, los que estamos en la obra de Dios en otros países no contamos con alternativas para sostenernos. Sin el apoyo al 100% de los que nos envían, no sobrevivimos. Al mismo tiempo, recuerdo con mucha admiración que mis primeros dos pastores fueron lo que hoy llamamos "bi-vocacionales."

El primero, el que nos mostró el camino a Jesús, se encontraba a cargo de una misión pequeña en el pueblo más cercano a nuestra granja. Medía 2.18 m. y pesaba unos 145 kg, mientras yo mido 1.66 m y peso 63 kg. No necesitó de mucha ayuda del Espíritu Santo para convencerme de mi necesidad de Jesús (jejeje). Contaba con esposa y dos hijos. Para sostenerse, vendía gabinetes de cocina y le tocaba cubrir una región amplia.

El segundo, con su esposa y cuatro hijos, había iniciado su obra en una ciudad a una hora de nosotros. Para sus domingos, rentaba un espacio en la estación de bomberos. Trabajaba turnos de 8 horas, 40 horas por semana. Bajo él, me entregué al ministerio.

Y la historia se repite en Cancun. Por ejemplo:

Conocimos a una pareja en los primeros años aquí. Ella era creyente y él no. Su conversión a Jesús vino después de años de oración por él. Hoy es pastor de un rebaño nuestro.

Levantaron una misión en la colonia donde viven. No ha sido fácil. Abren su casa para  los domingos. Dedican tiempo al discipulado y llevan estudios a los hogares. Son familias de recursos muy limitados. Más de uno padece de enfermedad o discapacidad seria. El pastor sigue de taxista. Se goza de lo que Dios ha hecho entre ellos.

Cualquiera que sea nuestra circunstancia particular, suele suceder que no valoramos lo que tenemos hasta que no lo tenemos. Mientras la mayoría llega del trabajo a descansar con una cerveza, cena con la familia, y programa favorito en la tele, los pastores bi-vocacionales ocupan su tiempo libre estudiando, orando y haciendo visitas.

Tanto amor, fe, compromiso y ejemplo… ¡Alabado sea Dios!

"a fin de que no os hagáis perezosos, sino imitadores de aquellos que por la fe y la paciencia heredan las promesas."  Hebreos 6:12

"Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching."  1 Timothy 5:17

Often, we who are in the Lord's work in other countries have no alternatives for supporting ourselves. Without 100% support from those who send us, we will not survive. At the same time, I recall with much admiration that my first two pastors are what we call today "bi-vocational."

The first, the one who pointed us to Christ, cared for a small GARB mission in the town closest to our farm. He was 7' 2" tall and weighed about 320 lbs., while I am 5'6" and weigh 142 lbs. He did not need much help from the Holy Spirit to convince me of my need of Jesus (hehe). He had a wife and two sons. He worked selling kitchen cabinets and had to cover a large region.

The second, with his wife and four children, had begun their work in a city an hour away from us. They began by renting space in the local fire station. He worked a steady job of 8 hour shifts, 40 hours a week. Under him, I surrendered to the ministry.

And, history repeats itself in Cancun. One example:

We met one couple early on. She was a believer, he was not. His conversion to Christ came after years of prayer for him. Today, he pastors one of our flocks.

They started a mission in their own neighborhood. It has not been easy. They open their home for Sundays. They dedicate time to discipleship and go into homes with Bible studies. They are people of very limited resources. More than one in the church suffers with serious illness or disability. The pastor still drives a taxi. He is joyful about what the Lord has done among them.

Whatever our particular circumstance, it usually happens that we do not value what we have until we don't have it. While the majority come home from work to rest with a brew, supper with family and their favorite TV program, bi-vocational pastors occupy their free time with study, prayer and making visits.

So much love, faith, commitment and example... Praise be to God!

"so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises."  Hebrews 6:12

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    Greg Smith

    Greg grew up in Menomonee Falls, WI. His ministry began in 1976: 5 years in Central America, 36 in Mexico. His passion is church planting and discipleship.
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    Greg enjoys being married to Carol Ahola-Smith. Both have been missionaries (Japan and Mexico); both watched their first spouses precede them in death.
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    Together, they have a heart for writing, mentoring and teaching.  They enjoy long walks and good coffee.

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