Palabra de Vida Argentina
Palabra de Vida Argentina
Palabra de Vida Argentina
Palabra de Vida Argentina
Palabra de Vida (Word of Life) Argentina is a non-denominational Christian organization that creates experiences to develop people's faith and give young people and families the opportunity to encounter God and grow in their spiritual journey through ministry with energetic camps, in-depth Bible study and training, ministry with the local church, and educational ministries. Palabra de Vida Argentina shares the good news of salvation with all those who have not yet heard it and helps believers deepen their faith.
Palabra de Vida (Word of Life) Argentina is a non-denominational Christian organization that creates experiences to develop people's faith and give young people and families the opportunity to encounter God and grow in their spiritual journey through ministry with energetic camps, in-depth Bible study and training, ministry with the local church, and educational ministries. Palabra de Vida Argentina shares the good news of salvation with all those who have not yet heard it and helps believers deepen their faith.
1930
"The Beginning"
Jack Wyrtzen
1969
"The Call"
Joe Jordan
Joe Jordan, born in Florida, United States, chose to follow Christ during his adolescence at a Word of Life camp in New York.
He attended Cairn University, formerly known as Philadelphia Biblical University, and also studied at Tennessee Temple University, where he received his doctorate.
At the age of 24, together with his wife, Melva, God called him to serve full-time as a missionary in South America, in his beloved Argentina.
1971
Janurary 4th
Arrival of Joe and Melva in Argentina
April
First evangelistic activity with Jack Wrytzen, Haroldo Reimer, and Waldemar Formin (Haroldo and Waldemar from PDV Brazil).
May
A week in Villa Real, devotionals for the whole school and evening classes open for parents and the general public.
June
Joe met Beto Tarasiuk when in contact with a group of young people who gathered at the church in Vte. López to play volleyball and basketball.
July
First trip to the camp in Brazil. Forty young people travel there including Beto Tarasiuk who dedicated his life to the Lord. Upon their return, Joe takes Beto to live in his home and begins to mentor him. Beto begins to work with Joe.
August
They started a “home Bible club.” It wasn't what we call a Bible club today, but rather a gathering organized to bring together the fruits of the camp in Brazil and help them grow. It was held at the Tarasiuk home, a house that was always open to whatever PDV needed.
October
A few months after the trip to Brazil, the First Bible Club began at the Libertador church. This Bible Club “absorbed” the home club (which was not ongoing), as the fruits and contacts from the camp were transferred to the Bible Club. The leader was Beto. Gracia Nüesch attended, and to win the Bible contest, she invited Dan to the camp in Córdoba. Mirta also brought Silvia along to earn points for the contest. Mario Tarasiuk also attended.
1972
Janurary
Camp in Córdoba, where Dan Nuesch's conversion took place.
February
- Second trip to Brazil.
- Mirta makes a decision for Christ. Upon returning, she begins working as a secretary for the ministry (she was the first secretary).
- Beto stays to study at the Bible Institute in Brazil.
- Dan becomes Joe's right-hand man.
May
- Norberto Giménez makes a decision at a spiritual retreat.
- Clubs: Rivadavia continues; Floresta, Lanas, Martelli, and Pergamino join.
August
Joe invited young people who were emerging out of different clubs to participate in systematic Bible studies that he began on Monday evenings in his office. One of the first subjects he taught was “Dispensationalism.”
November
- Purchase of the Monte property.
- The owner of the property requested that a chapel be built and only wanted to sell 2.5 acres.
- Joe enthusiastically shared the vision with the study group on Mondays.
- Every Monday, prayers were offered for the provision to pay for the property.
- Provision: Don Nicolás Tarasiuk mortgaged his house to contribute to the purchase of the camp.
- Young people from the US also donated $550 toward the initial cost.
1973
February
- It lasted three weeks, one for the team and two for camping.
- The first campfire was during the team week.
- This first campfire was key in our history, as it gave rise to the people who are leaders in our ministry in Argentina and in other countries.
Mr. Don Kelso
1975
“The Need”
Word of Life Bible Institute
August
- Classes begin at the “external” Bible Institute at Rivadavia church.
- Notable Professor: Mr. Don Kelso.
- This year, Joe travels to Chile with four young Argentinians for a campaign.
- Joe also travels through Latin America with Norberto Giménez. They reach the jungle that was home to the Aucas Indians. The vision for a Bible institute with students from all over Latin America was born.
April
Start of the Bible Institute in Monte
One of the first teachers was Don Anibal Palazo, who made great sacrifices to come each time. The roads were dirt roads back then.
1980-1983
In 1981, the ministry celebrated its 10th anniversary.
It was a period of extensive construction and improvements to the property: swimming pool, tennis courts, lighting, basketball court, worship hall, dining hall, medical center, etc.
“The property in Monte was taking shape.”
1982
Donation of
Pichi Traful
Joe receives a phone call informing him that John Bolten will be visiting Argentina in the coming days. John Bolten knew the ministry in Schroon Lake, New York, and was interested in collaborating with Argentina.
April
Start of Church Planting Ministry
Eduardo and Gloria Buldain began traveling in an old car with a group of 6-8 students to Cañuelas. This ministry grew gradually year after year with more students and better vehicles, until it became what it is today.
November
At the missionary conference, Sofia Muller's letter is read, in which she asks for help for the ministry in the jungle. Ramón Rivas, a student at the Bible Institute, responds. In a meeting with Joe, Ramón says, “God called me to go, not to return.”
1983
- The Christian Missionary School in English begins.
- Inauguration of the office building.
1984
- The Christian Missionary School in Spanish begins.
- The Word of Life Bible Institute begins in the Colombian jungle.
- Inauguration of the Jack Wrytzen Worship Hall.
1985
- Ramón Rivas dies in the Colombian jungle. Ramón leaves behind more than 4,000 indigenous people redeemed in just two years of ministry.
- One of the biggest floods in Monte. We have to leave by canoe along the dirt road. All the cars are left parked on the road.
- Sofia Muller visits for the Missionary Conference.
1986
January
Inauguration of the 1st Doña Juana Building
A tornado in Monte causes the roof of the dining room, which is now the games room, to collapse. Several cabins and missionaries' houses lost their roofs. We were without electricity and water for two days in the middle of the camp.
