For millions of Christians internationally, Lent marks an intentional period of contemplation, of anticipating Christ’s death and resurrection by reflecting on one’s own mortality and desperation for the Lord.

In northern Peru, the Seventh-Day Adventist Church began Lent with a celebration to inspire a resurgence of evangelism across the region. The week-long campaign titled “Reencuentro,” or, “Reunion,” engaged several churches in the mission to both revitalize the faith of those who may have strayed from the church and reach those who have never heard the gospel before. 

The main events for the campaign were held at a church in Lima and a church in Chimbote beginning on Feb. 23, with the final session taking place on Mar. 4 at Chimbote’s Manuel Rivera Sánchez Centennial Stadium. Participating churches were supplied with a host of creative materials to engage their congregations, including a sermon outline, promotional banners and videos, and invitations to hand out to the community. 

In total, it’s estimated that the campaign reached 722 local people, with 2,888 attending the campaign’s final event, celebrating the ways they had seen God move and praying that more and more Peruvians would come to know Christ. 

“This outcome was thanks to the prayers of a multitude who cried out daily for miracles,” Adventist News reports. 

Adventist News has also shared several testimonies from Reencuentro. Irina and her daughter, Celeste, who made the decision to recommit their lives to the Lord and be baptized during the final session, had been separated from the church for sixteen years. It was the sentiment that “God, from the beginning never left us alone,” that encouraged them to return to their faith after years of hardship. 

“He was always in charge of our lives,” Celeste said. “It seems that God is making everything fit together so that we can return to the church.”

Brothers Jairo and Alexis also made the decision to get baptized, surrendering their financial concerns to the Lord and trusting that their faith was more important. An attendee named Inés was baptized as well after finding immense peace in the presence of Jesus. 

The denomination is hopeful that this event will be just the beginning of a revival across the region. 

“The Seventh-day Adventist Church in northern Peru will continue evangelizing for those who do not know Christ and/or have drifted away from Him,” Adventist News said.