A vision emerged to serve the Mapuche and the people of Lautaro in 2000 when an IberoAmerican Ministries (IAM) Team set out to work alongside this indigenous people group of Southern Chile. The Lord has blessed these efforts, and a thriving church has been established in the city of Lautaro.

Phase I of the Lautaro vision is completed and in use.

In addition to planting a church and working with the people located within Lautaro, this church body works in rural sectors of the region, effectively reaching another 3,500 families or approximately 12,000 people, most of whom are of Mapuche descent. These people have directly benefited from an IAM program of seed distribution, helping to ease the burden of farming in this agriculturally rich area of the country. In addition to the seed distribution programs, IAM Teams work alongside many other families to help build greenhouses for their own subsistence farming and cash crop businesses.

Mapuche proud.

Through IAM-hosted medical clinics and other community outreach activities, more than 1,000 families in the Lautaro area have benefited from the continuing work by IAM Teams in the region. These families strive to overcome poverty and enjoy a better quality of life as they come to know the love of Jesus through the ministry of the church that has been established there.

Serving the Mapuche People

Since beginning the work with the indigenous Mapuche people of Chile, the church continues to grow through the multiplication of cell groups in the urban sector as well as in the rural areas, or "campo". Workers disciple new believers and minister to families through these cell groups which meet weekly. Chilean workers also train indigenous leaders in each community to develop regional projects, ranging from the creation of small businesses to assistance in building houses and drilling water wells for the most needy of these communities.

Community is key among the Mapuche people.

Christian Center of Integrated Development

To better assist the development of the Mapuche people and others in the region, IAM is building a Christian Center of Integrated Development in Lautaro. The goal is to help residents come to know Christ through a culturally integrated approach to ministry. This Center assists individuals in reaching their educational potential and provides support in the community by helping their families overcome the cycle of poverty while sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. Establishing the church and this Center by coming alongside the people of Lautaro provides a foundation for the people to sustain themselves spiritually, emotionally, and financially while also providing training to make disciples of all nations.

The future plans for Lautaro's school and dorms.

Melipeuco

With the Volcan Llaima as a backdrop, this small church serves the community of Melipeuco which has about 3,000 inhabitants. This small town, located at the southern entrance of Conguillio National Park, provides key access to the remote mountainous regions of the area where many Mapuche live today. The church in Melipeuco is lead by a Chilean family from Lautaro that has also served as missionaries to Unreached People Groups in the 10/40 Window.

In the shadow of the Volcan Llaima sits the church in Melipeuco.

Los Angeles

Located in the capital city of Biobio province, this is the most recent church plant by an IAM Team from the Oriente church. After much prayer, discernment, community planning, and outreach, this church held its first service in July 2008. The church in Los Angeles is headed by the former pastor of the Oriente church in Maipu, along with his family.