A Long Walk, a Gradual Ascent
The Story of the Bolivian Friends Church in Its Context of Conflict
- Evangelism & Missions
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Published: 2019
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Publisher's Description
A Long Walk, a Gradual Ascent tells the one-hundred-year story of the development of the Friends Church (INELA) among the Aymara peoples of the Bolivian Andes. It stretches from the beginnings of the INELA on the shores of Lake Titicaca around 1915 until the present time (2017), along with the story of the Oregon Friends Mission that accompanied the church for seventy-two years. Today the INELA spreads over fifteen districts with some two hundred congregations. The church is still predominately Aymara. The book considers the influence of history and culture on each phase of the church's development, exploring the complexity of planting a "peace church" such as the Quakers in a setting of so much conflict. The book also explores the missiological significance of the changing relationship between church and mission, and wrestles with denominational emphases and how they impacted the expression of an indigenous Aymara church.
Endorsements (4)
“In this fine book by Nancy Thomas, the history of the Bolivian Friends Church (INELA) is outlined in clear and engaging form. It tells the story of one of the most successful missionary projects in the twentieth century, and it also sheds light on how the Spirit’s leadings helped people overcome obstacles and challenges, making advances for the kingdom in the highlands of South America.”
“A Long Walk, a Gradual Ascent is a magnificent history, grounded in rigorous research and written with uncommon clarity. The book effectively uses engaging stories about key persons and events to develop its themes. This careful account of a Bolivian church includes thoughtful exploration of issues of cross-cultural witness, missionary practice, indigenous development, and more. It should reward both those who study missions and those who have long loved this church.”
“The New Testament book of Acts has no ending because the Holy Spirit is still recording the stories of the birth and building of Christ’s church. With over two-thirds of the world church now in the South and East of the globe, it is urgent that we research and write the local histories of the church’s birth and life everywhere in the world. This very readable, fascinating, transparent, carefully researched, and lovingly told story of the Friends Church among the Aymara people of Bolivia is an important contribution.”
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