In a heartfelt return to global service, Newday Adventist Church in Parker, Colorado, has reignited its tradition of international missions with a recent trip to the Amazon region of Peru. Spearheaded by Associate Pastor Kenneth Martinez, the church partnered with AdventHealth’s Global Health Initiatives (GHI) to deliver vital medical care, clean water solutions, and spiritual support to hundreds of underserved residents in remote Peruvian communities.
A Multidimensional Mission of Healing
The one-week mission, part of GHI’s broader efforts to facilitate global service projects, deployed three specialized teams to the region surrounding Iquitos—an isolated area accessible only by river or air. Each team played a pivotal role in addressing pressing community needs:
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Medical Team: Based out of the well-regarded Ana Stahl Adventist Clinic in Iquitos, the medical team performed 18 life-changing surgeries. The clinic, though known for excellence, often faces equipment shortages and relies heavily on such mission groups to meet patient demand.
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Water Sanitation Team: In areas where clean water is a luxury and electricity is inconsistent, the sanitation crew distributed and installed between 80 and 100 sustainable water filters. These devices, which can be maintained locally, now provide safe drinking water to dozens of households.
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Mobile Clinic Team: Working across several rural towns, this mobile team—including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and interpreters like Pastor Martinez—treated 571 patients over five days, addressing conditions such as malnutrition, gastrointestinal issues from unclean water, and chronic illnesses like hypertension. A standout moment came when the team helped save a man’s vision after he was exposed to toxic tree resin, quickly transporting him to the main clinic for emergency care.
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Spiritual Connections Beyond the Clinic
While the mission primarily aimed to improve physical health, its spiritual impact was equally profound. Pastor Martinez noted that meaningful conversations emerged not just with locals, but also with fellow volunteers—many of whom were not Adventists or affiliated with any faith community.
“I was praying for opportunities to serve not just physically but spiritually,” said Martinez. “I had the chance to counsel three volunteers who were genuinely searching. One even said, ‘I want to visit your church.’ That was a deeply meaningful moment for me.”
A Vision for More Hands and Hearts
Reflecting on the mission’s success, Martinez praised the structure provided by Global Health Initiatives, which made it easy for volunteers to make a real difference. “I wish more pastors and church members could experience this,” he said. “It’s a deeply personal and spiritual journey. When you’re serving side-by-side with others, it opens the door to honest conversations about life, faith, and purpose.”
With hopes of expanding future missions, Martinez aims to involve more of the Newday congregation in hands-on international service. “This trip was a reminder that the gospel is not just about words—it’s about action,” he added. “Serving is one of the most powerful ways to live out Christ’s healing mission.”
