Over 2500 young people gather for Kaleo 2024
The city of Trujillo in Peru hosted the regional congress of young Nazarenes called "KALEO 2024." Delegations from the 10 South American countries gathered, with more than 2,500 participants.
The regional ministry coordinators, the national Nazarene Youth International coordinators, and the global director of NYI, David Gonzalez, were also present. Over 130 young people from different regions of Peru made up the volunteer staff, who assisted with the work before and after the event.
Three music ministries from Argentina, Brazil, and Peru were in charge of the worship ministry and helped with the workshops and prayer times at the altar.
"It has been a privilege and a blessing from God to serve in this congress within the worship ministry," said Benjamin Siancas from Talara, Peru. "We are renewed and always ready to serve in our local churches."
Hundreds of young people accepted the call to salvation, the call to holiness, the call to service, and the call to the pastorate and missions.
"The theme of holiness has touched my life," said José Tito from Chiclayo, Peru. "I am very grateful to God for allowing me to participate in this congress and accept the call to evangelism as the church's main mission."
About 1,800 youth also participated in a Maximum Mission event, distributing baskets of supplies to needy families, providing medical check-ups, and cleaning up some sectors of Trujillo.
Pedro, one of the participants from Venezuela, said: "I am very satisfied with what God has done with my life during this event. We know that God has a calling for everyone, but this event has been an opportunity to reaffirm that specific call in my case for missions, now without fear to fulfill the call, knowing that God is with us to help us in everything".
Oscar Benitez from Argentina commented: "The most important thing is that we have had an extraordinary encounter with God during this event. We had a great time; we did not expect such an attendance during this congress.
The congress closed with a time of Holy Communion led by Central Andean Field Strategy Coordinator Evelio Vasquez and Regional Director Alessandro Polonio.
"Two moments have impacted me: when the invitation is made to the young people who have the pastoral call, and the next day to the young people who have the missionary call," Benitez said. "The altar was full of people accepting that call. I believe that God is doing extraordinary things."
--Church of the Nazarene South America