DBS 17-17: The Birth of a Movement
Sometimes we have a plan, and Jesus asks us to cast our nets on the other side of the boat. That’s how our team felt when we saw what God was doing in Peru. At Reflejo, we’re primarily focused on equipping Latinos to serve among the unreached in regions such as Central Asia and the Middle East. But Jessica, formerly in a mobilization role with us, participated in one of our trainings on catalyzing gospel movements.
After the training, she thought, “This won’t just work overseas. It can work in my neighborhood in Peru also.” In late 2023, she gathered a group of 17 moms at a local school to study the Bible using the new tools she’d learned.
Six weeks later, 13 women had come to faith in Jesus.
But when Jesus tells us where to cast our nets, His catch is far bigger than our expectations. By the end of 2024, 156 new believers had been added. And they started their own Bible studies. As they continue to multiply, we have seen 408 new Christians this year. Here are some of their stories:
THEATER CLUB
Because of broken families, rampant drugs, and a lack of good role models, kids in Comas face a rough upbringing. Two 11-year-olds were asked: "What do you do for fun?” The answer was: "breaking into houses and stealing stuff."
Miguel asked God what he could do to help and felt empowered to offer theater classes using Bible stories. Typically, these kids skip school, arrive late, or are overall apathetic, but they were very excited about theater. They found a space where they can express healthy emotions in a safe environment and learn the Bible.
This theatre club has been a blessing to these students in many ways. Initially, three Discovery Bible Studies were launched, enabling students to invite their friends to study the Bible with them. Shortly after, four students began leading another four Bible studies for students themselves!
But eventually, they turned the acting lessons they were learning into Bible skits they could take on the road. Students who had previously been breaking into homes for fun began attending other schools and community events, acting out Bible stories and sharing the Gospel on the go. By the end of the year, they had been invited to a branch of the Peruvian National Library to act out the story of Job.
THE BIRTHDAY STORY
Have you ever wondered what God could do if we follow Him with abandon, without worrying about what others think? Jessica learned this lesson firsthand at Mercedes’ birthday party. Her son Ayrton, who was also at the party, suddenly turned to her and asked:
“What are you waiting for? There are unsaved people here. Start a Bible study!”
Jessica was hesitant since stopping a birthday party for a Bible study felt very awkward, but she prayed and leaned into God’s invitation. Since Mercedes was a believer, she wouldn’t get mad about it, right? Music stopped. Cellphones out. Suddenly, everyone was in small groups discussing the story of the woman healed by Jesus after 12 years of bleeding.
By the end of their time together, five people put their faith in Jesus. Jessica learned a valuable lesson about faithfulness that day, and Jesus’ birthday gift for Mercedes? Her father-in-law was one of those five new believers!
THE TEACHER WHO PRAYS
Kelly teaches at San Antonio School in Jicamarca, a place marked by extreme poverty and often lacking basic services such as water, sewage, and electricity. When she heard about Discovery Bible Studies (DBS) transforming other schools, her heart leapt.
Already a believer, she longed to see lives transformed, but her school and community pushed back. Kelly didn’t stop; she received training from the DBS 17:17 team and embraced the vision to share God’s Word. Then came a crisis: a fellow teacher, Manuelita, was diagnosed with blood cancer and needed daily transfusions to survive. Kelly saw an open door and prayed with her, searching tirelessly for donors. Now, Manuelita has recovered—and is studying the Bible with Kelly.
When Kelly’s own mother fell ill, she refused to retreat. While others may have felt, “I’ve got my own problems at home,” she said:
“God is giving me His eyes to see the hurting.”
Kelly leaned into her calling to care for the chronically ill by visiting homes, praying for the sick, and starting Bible studies. Now, she leads a small team that has launched five DBS groups in Jicamarca. In her school, she’s known as “the teacher who prays.” Both teachers and students seek her out when they need hope.
CHRISTMAS AT A SCHOOL
During Christmas, it’s very common in Peru for schools and organizations to host chocolatadas (hot chocolate parties). The DBS 17:17 team recognized this cultural event as an opportunity to invite families from the Laderas de Chillón community and share the Christmas story.
They had been sharing Bible stories at the local school for 3 months and had earned the community’s trust. So, when the team arrived with hot chocolate and small gifts for the children, more than 100 families participated. That day, the Gospel was shared, and 28 moms came to the feet of Jesus.
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”
John 17:17