This stone church souvenir is made from a of sample of the material produced at a quarry outside Santiago, Chile. It demonstrates the beauty and durability of the stone which is mined there – great selling points!
It is ironic that a Chilean quarry would use a church to exhibit its stone’s qualities because the Christian’s mind naturally envisions, not a stone model of a church building, but the Holy Christian Church, the Believers in Christ. Why? Because Jesus spoke of those who “hear” his words and put them “into practice” as being like “a wise man who built his house on the rock (Matthew 7).” When Peter said of Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” Jesus confirmed the reassuring certainty of this confession, saying “on this rock I will build my church . . . (Matthew 16).” That’s why we sing “Built on the Rock the Church shall stand . . .” (Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary, # 211).
When we send missionaries at home or abroad, when we invite friends to join us at worship, when we share our faith – we in fact welcome others to the beautiful, lasting spiritual sanctuary of the Christian Church, where through faith in Christ’s life, death and resurrection we find rock-solid security for eternity.
(The ELS relationship with Iglesia Christiana De La Reforma Luterana Confessional De La Republica De Chile is conducted by the South America Committee of the Board for World Outreach.)
Watch for the “Let’s talk about . . . World Mission Souvenirs” online study series on the website. Perfect for personal, family or congregational Bible study. Available soon!
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