Dear brothers and sisters:
 
 We are so grateful to all of you for your faithful prayers and support. I am in debt to you for the delay with my reports.
 
 First, I have good news about my health. Last week, my oncologist, after a battery of studies, made the decision to pause my hormonal treatment for at least five months. It means a lot to me because I was suffering more from a lack of testosterone than from my cancer. Now, I hope that I will have more energy to accomplish all my responsibilities.

Regarding ministry, God has been glorified through my debility, more than ever. IDEAR is growing in the number of students, but more importantly, solidifying with an outstanding faculty and staff. At the end of 2024, we had our first graduation (see pictures). In addition, members of our faculty received MDiv grades, and some are pursuing DMin grades.


We have launched a new program called “Edifica” to serve potential leaders of local churches and to better focus on pastors and elders with our regular program. Even with eight instructors grading papers and exams, we decided that it was more strategic to offer an alternative program with less demanding charges (without grading) and then keep our enrollment under two hundred students in our regular program. This change allows our instructors to be more focused on fewer and more strategic students. Together with both programs, we currently have about 300 students.

Regarding the local church, the attendance has exploded. Last Sunday, we added plastic chairs not only at the back of the room, but also in the aisles (we have broken the fire code!). The building has room for 130 attendants, but we accommodate 170. Providentially, God provided the funds to buy the house beside the building of our church. We were looking for Christian architects who could understand how evangelicals use material facilities every week. Therefore, we are ready to build new accommodations for the home church and move IDEAR to a new era of hybrid programs. Right now, we are at the fundraising stage. Please see the project and vision by clicking on the picture or at this link: https://iglesiaenlobos.com/edificio/ (allow some time to load all the images).

 Dear Brothers and Sisters
 
 We are so grateful for all your support in our lives and ministries. It has been a long time since our last report.
 
 My health is improving every week. Until next March, I will not know the exact condition of my body. I will do a PET scan then. My doctor told me that everything seemed good. Thanks for your prayers!
 
 Regarding our personal life, we cannot move to the new house yet. The gas company is asking me for too much money to bring the line pipe to the front of our home. Therefore, I have decided to use propane gas. We should connect to it in the next two weeks and move there. Thanks again for your prayers.
 
 Our youngest son, Juan Pablo, got married last August. That was the highlight of the year. We are so glad for him and Miriam, his beautiful wife, from Alaska (it couldn’t have been further away).
 

Regarding ministry, we organized a Pastoral Conference again in May on Progressive Sanctification. It was a great time with old colleagues and some new ones. 

In June, we went again to Perú. We did some Preaching Laboratories with three pastors and then again, the Conference on Progressive Sanctification. 

In August, we visit Paraguay to teach a conference on the Psalms “Vivifícame Según Tu Palabra.” Preaching and listening to a different psalm in every session was a joy.

In September, Manuel Herrera visited to teach “Biblical Counseling III.” This class completed our counseling program and gave our students ACBC accreditation. After the courses, they must watch counseling videos and complete 50 hours of supervised practice.

Two weeks ago, I preached at two conferences for pastors and leaders: the Seminario Internacional Teológico Bautista (sadly, a former faithful institution) and Ante Su Palabra, a well-known annual conference in Argentina. 

Last week, we went to another rural city (220 miles or 350 kilometers away from Lobos) to help a new church conduct baptisms and Holy Communion with its members. It was great to see them so excited about the Christian faith.
 
 This Friday, we are going to Cordoba, in the center of Argentina, to hold a Youth Congress about Manhood and Womanhood and a Couples Retreat in the mountains.
Our first graduation ceremony, with the first 60 graduates, will be held on December 14.
 
In our home church, there is not enough room for visitors. Every Sunday, we have more than 160 attendants. By God’s grace, we could buy the building next to ours. Now, we are praying for a Christian architect to draw a functional project to make a bigger main room and classrooms for IDEAR so that we can do the next program in a hybrid way. 

We are going to expand our building to the left.

A regular Sunday participation at the Lord’s Table

Finally, I am making progress in my doctoral studies. I have already completed 28 credits and the German course. I hope that next year, I will be ready for all the classes and ready to write the dissertation.
   

 

Prayer requests 

 We are so thankful for your presence in our lives and ministry. Your prayers and encouragement are crucial to us. With sincere love and gratitude:
   

idear

Moreno 364

Lobos - Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 7240 

Argentina
 Add us to your address book

Our address is:
Moreno 364 (7240) Lobos
Buenos Aires - Argentina
5492227539042  

Please direct financial support to:
Grace Ministries International
13248 Roscoe Blvd., Sun Valley, CA 91352
Tel. 818- 909 5700
(write "Argentina Pastoral Training" on the memo line of your check)

For prayer requests or online giving:
gracechurch.org  

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Dear Friends
 
 It is our joy to write you to inform you that God is greatly blessing our lives and ministry.
 My health is improving. The last PET Scan shows there are still cancerous cells, but less than six months ago. I continue with the same hormonal treatment for fortifying my bones. The first one has the side effect of draining my energy, but I am learning to function in “low battery” mode. For the last four months, I have been able to accomplish too many things with the strength given to me by God.
 We were almost finished building our house. We are waiting to move there after some paperwork. We praise God for providing us, though many of you do it. I will send you some pictures of the house in the following report.
 
 Next week, I will finish the second semester of my doctoral studies. I am learning a lot from it. In one of the courses, we learned Aramaic, Akkadian, and Ugaritic (at least basic notions of them). I will return to Baltimore for my third residence in June to learn German and OT Exegesis. Please pray for my strength because long flights exhaust me.
 
 IDEAR is growing well and fast. We serve 205 students from Argentina and other countries. I wrote the manual and recorded the videos of the Theology IV class (the doctrines of human beings, sin, and salvation). Now, Jonathan is recording the videos on the church doctrine and the future. It means that we can have our first graduation in June. However, we have decided to combine graduates from June with the students who will graduate in August, October, and December to have a big celebration at the end of this year.
 

In May (24–25th), we will have our 10th Pastoral Conference. This year, we will teach/preach about Progressive Sanctification. On June 6–8th, we will visit Perú to teach the same material. We are investing quality time with some Peruvian pastors to replicate the same model we have been doing in Paraguay since 2016. Therefore, in addition to the conference, we will have private and personal teaching about expository preaching with three key pastors (“Preaching Lab”).

The ministry in our home church is growing in many ways. Last Sunday, we have received 17 new members (plus 16 children from them). We have already started a new membership group of 13 (plus ten children). Our building has chairs for just 135 attendants, but we currently have about 150. Therefore, we are praying to buy the property behind ours. I already talked with the owner, who said he is ready to sell his property to us. Next week, we will have one offer. We already have savings to start an exciting negotiation. Please pray for it. 

Monica enjoyed teaching women about parenting. Therefore, we are thinking of a monthly women’s ministry. We also want to add couples ministry and parenting courses regularly. 


Prayer requests 

We are so thankful for your presence in our lives. Your prayers and encouragement are crucial for us. As one beloved Elder of one of the supporting churches said: “I can see that God is blessing more IDEAR and you home church now when you are sick than before when you have plenty of energy.” Praise God, and thank you for it!
 
 With sincere love and gratitude:
Alejandro & Mónica

Enjoying the back of our property 

Before watching a 3D movie with my Dad and our grandchildren 

Our mailing address is:
Idear
Moreno 364
Lobos - Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 7240 
Argentina

Please, direct financial support to:
Grace Ministries International
13248 Roscoe Blvd., Sun Valley, CA 91352
Tel. 818- 909 5700
(write "Argentina Pastoral Training" on the memo line of your check)

For prayer requests or online giving:
gracechurch.org

October 2023
We are very grateful for your company throughout this year in which we have been under trial. The Lord has been gracious with us, giving us strength and contentment in Him.
 
 A month ago, I had a new PET scan and other analyses. The result reports that the cancer has not advanced to any other organ or part of the body. That means the treatment is working. On the other hand, we also know that the damage it has produced in the bones has not advanced or regressed. So, I must be cautious of blows and efforts. I can live with it!

As far as our family affairs are concerned, we are happy because our youngest son, Juan Pablo, will finish his university studies this semester, and he may probably stay to work within the university in the audiovisual area. Here in Argentina, we are very close to finishing our house’s construction so we can move in at the end of the year.
The local church continues growing with precious families that God is bringing. The same happens with the IDEAR team; we are growing in unity, learning, and working together.

In June, three of us traveled to Lima, Perú, to lead an Expository Preaching workshop/seminar with about 90 pastors and leaders from many different churches.

In July, five team members went to Asuncion, Paraguay (as every year) to preach at a conference called “The Glorious Gospel.” It was precious to minister together and preach so many glorious truths. 

In August, Jonathan Tucker revisited us to teach the second course of Biblical Counseling to make the videos of our IDEAR program.
In September, we travel to the States to be part of a regional summit of the Spanish-speaking training centers under the umbrella of TMAI. That was a joy, especially for the fellowship with one another and Henry and Barbara Tolopilo. Then, we went to Los Angeles to participate in the GCC Expositors Conference. In addition, we had the joy of spending a few days with our eldest son, Joel, his wife, Rebecca, and our granddaughters, Ainsley and Everly. 

After a lot of meditation, I decided to pursue doctoral studies. Last August, I started it at Lancaster Bible College/Capitol Seminary. It is a hybrid program that requires a one-week residence on campus three times yearly and the rest online. I am flying to Lancaster, PN, tomorrow to be part of the first residence period. Please pray for my trip because it is the first time, after my treatment, that I will be flying alone and driving 170 miles from New York to Lancaster.

Prayer requests 

We are immensely grateful for your prayers and sacrificial giving to God’s cause in South America. We always pray for you that God may bless your families and efforts to be part of God’s purposes for our time.
 
 With sincere love:
Alejandro & Mónica

  June 2023 
Dear brothers and sisters,
 
We are doing well in every aspect of life by God’s grace. Last April 25th, I finished the sessions of radiotherapy (39 in total). Therefore, I am waiting for the middle of July to do a new PET scan to know precisely how my body’s health is. Meanwhile, I continue with both the hormonal treatment and the fortification of my bones.
 
Last May 25–27th, we had our pastoral conference. This year we decided that the key speakers may be all the professors of IDEAR. The topic was “I will build my Church.” We deeply analyzed the Church Growth movement from different angles: historical, biblical, and systematic theology, especially from exegesis and exposition of the key Bible verses. The reception was phenomenal. Most attendants, pastors, elders, and leaders from Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Peru, and of course, from different parts of Argentina gave us good feedback. 

For us, the goal was to grow as a faculty team. Every exposition was excellent, and the team spirit was evident for everybody. 

Three of us will teach a conference on Expository Preaching in Lima, Perú, next July 13–16th.
 In addition, on July 29–30th, five of us will teach a conference in Paraguay called “The Glorious Gospel.” Please, pray for both key activities.
 The home church is growing fast and sound. We are experiencing wonderful and authentic fellowship because of the working of the word of God. Two weeks ago, a beautiful family of five members started congregating with us. The great thing about it is that the lady is the pastor’s daughter of the biggest Pentecostal church in our town and that they live in the pastoral home over the building of that church. Can you imagine it?
 
 Regarding family, we are enjoying God’s blessings. Monica and I took a six-day vacation after the radiation therapy. That was a needed resting (almost a third therapy, after Chemo and Rays) and a great time to make memories.

My dad, Piro, is wholly adapted to live close to us, to three of his grandchildren and nine of his great-grandchildren. We still eagerly pray for his salvation. 

Prayer Requests 

Thanks for your constant prayers on our behalf. We needed them more than ever.   

Alejandro & Mónica
Our mailing address is:
idear
Moreno 364
Lobos - Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 7240
Argentina

 Add us to your address book 
 Our address is:
Moreno 364 (7240) Lobos
Buenos Aires - Argentina
5492227539042
 
Please, direct financial support to:
Grace Ministries International
13248 Roscoe Blvd., Sun Valley, CA 91352
Tel. 818- 909 5700
(write "Argentina Pastoral Training" on the memo line of your check)

For prayer requests or online giving:
gracechurch.org

                                                                      March 2023

 Dear brothers and sisters,
 
 We want to thank God and you because my health is improving daily. Two weeks ago, I finished the chemotherapy sessions. Now, I am doing radiation therapy (today, I had the seventh session of 39). In addition, I am under two other treatments, a hormonal one and another for fortifying my bones (both for the next two years).
 
 The last lab tests show that my PSA (Prostatic Specific Antigen) values are average now, i.e., under 2,5 ng/ml (there were 3,500 last August, and now 1,9 ng/ml). And the same with Alkaline Phosphatase now is 244 U/L, but in August was 2910 U/L (normal is between 20–300). In my case, that indicates that the activity in my bones is regular now. I will have a more precise state of my health in July, three months after my last radiation session.
 God is answering your prayers for Mónica and me, conceding me healing, great mood, and strength. I could preach almost every Sunday since September, write some notes for IDEAR, and lead our growing church.
 
Last week we had seven baptisms, and we are about to receive more than 30 new members to the membership.

IDEAR has 140 students. This year we have received 30 new students from Perú.
 Monica is doing great. She is my best friend and supporter. Without her, all these months would be miserable for me.

Prayer Requests 

 Thanks for your unconditional support
Alejandro & Mónica

Our mailing address is:
idear
Moreno 364
Lobos - Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 7240 
Argentina

 Add us to your address book 
 Our address is:
Moreno 364 (7240) Lobos
Buenos Aires - Argentina
5492227539042  

Please, direct financial support to:
Grace Ministries International
13248 Roscoe Blvd., Sun Valley, CA 91352
Tel. 818- 909 5700
(write "Argentina Pastoral Training" on the memo line of your check)

For prayer requests or online giving:
gracechurch.org

Dear brothers and sisters, 
 We want to give a hearty thanks for all your efforts for the sake of our ministry and lives.
 As you already know, we are walking under a particular trial; however, we are filled with joy and gratitude to our Lord and King. We are learning many lessons and using our circumstances for a more significant impact on others for the cause of Christ.
 
 Last August, we received the visit of Jonathan Tucker to teach the first course of Biblical Counseling in our program. We used this to gather a small audience for recording the videos. The core group of Argentinean pastors participated in three whole days of classes and meals in great fellowship.
 

In September, we host a course on Evangelism using biblical theology from Good Soil (https://www.goodsoil.com/), taught by beloved ABWE missionaries who were part of the planting team of our church in Lobos.

After I received my cancer diagnosis, I canceled all my trips to focus my efforts on the treatment. However, Jonathan and other team members were able to teach and preach in many of those opportunities.

Isaías André (with his son) pastoral examination committee with Tony and Jonathan. I participated with some questions via video chat. Isaías studies in IDEAR 

I am so grateful that I can continue with my preaching ministry. I was able to finish the expository series on Hosea and start a new one on the Gospel of Luke. I could also teach in a couples meeting. 

My dad, “Piro,” was too close to dying in July. After that, he was hospitalized for two months in Montevideo, Uruguay. Finally, we brought him to Lobos to live closer to us in a rented apartment. We are glad to have him here and continue praying for his salvation.
Last week we received the visit of our oldest son with his wife and daughters. It is the first time we can enjoy having our six grandchildren together. In addition, my father shares quality time almost daily with his eleven great-grandchildren! In God’s will, our youngest son will visit us for the Holidays (the generosity of many of you has made that possible).
 

Our six grandchildren, playing together for the first time 

Thanksgiving motives 

 Thanks for your unconditional support

idear

Moreno 364

Lobos - Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 7240 

Argentina

 Our address is:
Moreno 364 (7240) Lobos
Buenos Aires - Argentina
5492227539042

  Please, direct financial support to:
Grace Ministries International
13248 Roscoe Blvd., Sun Valley, CA 91352
Tel. 818- 909 5700
(write "Argentina Pastoral Training" on the memo line of your check)

For prayer requests or online giving:
gracechurch.org          

 Dear brothers and sisters,
 
 We are amazed by how God uses you and us to extend His kingdom. We always praise God for your faithful support and fellowship in the ministry.
 
 Last May, we resumed, after two years of cancellation due to the quarantine, our annual pastoral conference. The key speaker was Pastor Matt White, and the topic was “Church Revitalization: Bringing the Scriptures to the Struggling Church with a Shepherd’s Heart.” We limited the attendance to pastors, elders, and some key leaders. By God’s grace, we received leaders from many different churches and denominations. Some of them were seasoned pastors, but many of them were new to the ministry, struggling with so many issues in their churches. Every session was pertinent to all of us, with a great emphasis on the centrality of the Bible and the preaching of the Word as the key to revitalizing a weak ministry.
 

We received a Pentecostal pastor, Felipe, fired from his church and denomination (an abusive organization with a cultic style) the day before the conference started. Two years ago, he understood the gospel and was saved; he then began to preach the true gospel to his congregation, with the result that many left his ministry, and some came to believe in Christ. The day before the conference, Felipe decided to reveal his intentions to the leaders of his denomination, and they not only fired him but tried to persuade Felipe’s wife to divorce him and to remain in the organization with her children. Our home church was so generous and kind, opening its arms to receive Felipe, Priscila, and their two children. They have now moved to our hometown, Felipe is workings as a cashier in a supermarket, and they are enjoying a time of spiritual refreshment as they fellowship with other young marriages here. Felipe desires to “reset” his life, to receive solid biblical training through IDEAR and our home church, and then, to see if God has plans for him in the future, to become a full-time pastor again. 

At the pastor’s conference, we also received three mature Christians asking us for help because they hoped to avoid closing their local church. In the last week of January, they confronted their abusive pastor, ruling over what was left of their congregation, and he resigned, recognizing that he did not qualify for ministry. Then, these three men took the responsibility of that small group of Christians, asking us to oversee their ministry until they could have or become ordained elders. Last week, we decided that our home church will help them for the next two years until they can operate as an autonomous church. They live 250 miles away; therefore, that decision will imply a big effort on our part. Apart from the elders, we hope to involve several of our leaders in training.
 

The week after our pastoral conference, I had the opportunity to teach in a Pastoral seminar of a Bolivian denomination (the largest one with 900 churches in Bolivia and 70 in Argentina). Once a year, they organize a seminar intended for “theological reflection.” In this opportunity, they asked me to teach about gender identity according to the Bible. 30 Bolivian pastors received me with open arms. The president of the denomination and the dean of the Bolivian seminary in Argentina asked me to keep in close relationship with them to improve the academic training of their pastors. Last week, we started a new cycle of classes in IDEAR, and many of the Bolivian pastors enrolled in our program. The greatest surprise for me was to see the name of the dean of their institute enrolled in our classes!
 

Last month, my father became severely sick in Uruguay, so we traveled with Monica and Joel (our oldest son, who came from California) to stay with him and help prepare his house before moving him to Argentina. He is better now but still under medical care in Uruguay. One of the dearest brothers of our home church went to Montevideo to be his personal 24/7 caregiver, both at the hospital and during his hospitalization at home. Piro is fascinated with his kindness and authentic friendship.

At the end of July, we went to Paraguay with the IDEAR team to teach a conference on Gender Identity; and to preach in several local churches. We praise God for the way that our relationship with them is growing stronger with every new trip. 

Finally, I should say that since my trip to Uruguay (beginning of July), my health has not been well. I’ve had a fever, lack of energy, muscle pains, and long headaches. I am much better now. After several exams, it seems like I have something in my prostate. Right now, I am undergoing several studies before getting the necessary biopsy.
 
 Prayer requests 

 Thank you for your love and prayers  

Alejandro & Mónica