Taking Ground for the Gospel in Peru: Oasis of Life Church and 5Stone Churches

Evangelical Missionary Church — Oasis of Life — Welcome to Our Worship Program — “Only God Makes Man Happy”

According to Operation World, witchcraft and animism influence more than 8 million Peruvians. That’s more than 25 percent of Peru’s total population. Even among Peruvians who identify as followers of Jesus Christ, many blend their belief with witchcraft, animism and the prosperity gospel.

The fight for biblical faith is the fight facing Pastor Carlos Torres Chavez and the leaders of Oasis of Life Church in the Peruvian city of Pucallpa. That battle is a primary reason Pastor Carlos and the other elders of Oasis of Life Church sought partnership with FiveStone Churches.

We’ve wanted to wake up our church and our city to be more vibrant and doctrinally sound, said Pastor Carlos. We’ve been blessed to receive biblical shepherding training from FiveStone Churches.

FiveStone in 2021 led a six-session sharpening set for the church’s seven elders. Since then, FiveStone and the church’s elders have discussed how FiveStone could help the church’s shepherds in their work, including Pastor Carlos’ vision to plant churches in Peru. That’s what we want, he said. We want our elders to become better pastors for Oasis of Life and to build pastors to plant local churches.

Alongside FiveStone’s commitment to strengthen Oasis of Life is a vision to work with a pastor training institute in Pucallpa devoted to raising pastors in biblical doctrine, hermeneutics, exposition and shepherding. In keeping with FiveStone’s emphasis on character before gifting, character development also will be a primary emphasis in the work with the Institute and with Oasis of Life. Preaching pastors and elders from FiveStone member churches expect to carry the bulk of this work to edify, protect, encourage and support.

What: Oasis of Life Church
Where: Pucallpa, Peru, a city of about 275,000, in eastern Peru along the Ucayali River. Main Pucallpa industries: agriculture, lumber, prescription drugs. Roman Catholic Church officially recognized by the Peruvian government as the state church.
When Oasis of Life planted: 1994, as an independent church
Who: 200 participate in Sunday worship (130 adults and 70 children) with a commitment to build disciples in individual growth groups of seven to 10 people.