Ministries

Joint Bolivia/Oklahoma 40-hour Fast:

April 26-28

The Pastors of the IEMB are inviting the Oklahoma Annual Conference to join them in a 40 hour Fast on Friday, April 26 -28th. Register here.

 

The Fast will begin at 6:00pm Bolivian time (5:00pm Oklahoma time) on Friday, April 26 (you can wait and begin at 6:00pm Okla if you prefer) and go to Sunday, April 28 at 10:00am Bolivian, 9:00am CDT.

 

This year, an anticipated 1,000 – 1,500 Bolivian Methodists will gather from all over Bolivia to Fast for 40 hours, and they are inviting their brothers and sisters in Oklahoma to join them. 

 

Here is Bishop Hayes’ experience from last year: “When I agreed to participate in the fast last year with the Bolivian pastors, little did I realize that it would be one of the most meaningful experiences of my ministry. Being in solidarity with brothers and sisters thousands of miles away created a spiritual bond that is hard to explain, even now. But going without food for nearly three days taught me more about myself than I could have ever imagined. I learned that in this land of plenty I didn’t need as much to sustain myself as I thought I did. I also learned how millions upon millions feel when they go without food-not because of choice but because there is no food in the midst of their poverty and need. If you want to discover something about yourself and draw nearer to God by identifying with people around the world who literally don’t know where their next meal is coming from, I invite you to fast with me. It will change your life!” Bishop Robert E. Hayes

 

Register to Fast

 

Events include:

 

Possible video Blog: Rev. David Stephenson is in Bolivia and will joining the Bolivians in their Fast. He will do ocassional live webcasts from La Paz to tell about the events and experiences of the Fast. David will also try to find some folks to interview and take your questions.

 

-Devotionals regarding fasting written by various Bolivian Methodist pastors to deepen your spiritual experience. (Will be sent to all those who register to Fast.)

 

A live 1-hour webcast worship Service Saturday night, April 27th at 6:30pm CDT from La Paz and Oklahoma City. This will be a joint worship service between those in Bolivia and the members of the Fuente de Vida Hispanic UMC in Oklahoma City. This service will be totally in Spanish. If you speak spanish, you will enjoy this service. Specifics of the service are still being worked out.  If you are interested in watching this service, please email David at tulsadstephenson@yahoo.com as soon as possible.

 

- We are asking all Oklahomans who fast to donate the funds that they would normally spend on food to the Bolivian Pastor’s Endowment Fund.

 

- The Bolivians will be taking up an offering during the fast, of the funds THEY would normally spend on food during this 40 hours also. Their donations will be presented during the Oklahoma Annual Conference to Bishop Hayes and Carlos Ramirez (head of Hispanic Ministries for the Conference) to help fund the development of a new Hispanic UMC in Oklahoma City. We will also be presenting one of our Bolivian pastors (Pastor Modesto Mamani) to the Oklahoma Conference to serve for one year to help start the church.

 

*Register for the Fast Today

 

For more information, click here