I had not heard of Omar Cabrera until I received a telephone call from Richard Shakarian. “Pastor Max, would you like to have Omar Cabrera preach in your Church for a couple of nights?”

“Who is Omar Cabrera?” I asked. He was the leading Pentecostal Evangelist in Argentina , until he was forced to leave. The Argentine Army found Omar’s name on a hit list of targets for assassination by Communist insurgents. Luis Palau had already left, but Omar wouldn’t leave until he was forced out. He had written the book, ‘Guns, Guts and God in Latin America ’.

I answered, “That’s all I need to know. If the Communists hate him and want to kill him for preaching the Gospel, he’s my friend!”

We bonded immediately, and Omar laid out his plan for a major crusade in the 40, 000 seat stadium in Ascunsion , Paraguay . I had to raise the money and he would set up the crusade and be my interpreter. After the crusade, a large church would be built to accommodate the many new converts, and I should raise the money to build it!

He was not going back to Argentina. Period! He was through with his native land. He had suffered enough at the hands of the Military Government, the Communists, the R.C. Church , the Medical Profession, the Media, and even his Evangelical brethren who criticized him for wearing a clerical collar!

I liked his boldness, his faith and his ‘down-to earth’ common touch! His wife, Marfa, was exactly the same. They were true servants of God, with a heart for souls and real work- horses in the Ministry. Donna and I could relate perfectly to their lifestyle. We cemented the plans and I raised the money for the Paraguay Crusade, but God had other plans –We were going to Argentina !

Another $4,000 needed for Ascunsion, Paraquay Crusade~
(report from 'Cry of His Coming' Magazine, June 1977)

THE OBSTACLES WERE GOD’S DIRECTIONS FOR US

The obstacles we encountered in setting up the 1977, Paraguay crusade were God’s roadblocks, steering us toward Argentina ! Omar became frustrated, as it seemed everything he did regarding the crusade was thwarted. Finally, I said, “Omar, we’ve got to have a crusade somewhere in Latin America . If we don’t follow through soon, my credibility with my supporters will be tarnished. Let’s have the crusade in Argentina.

His answer was curt and definite: “No, I’m not going back to Argentina .” In my heart, I knew that we should have the crusade there, so I countered: “Omar, I feel we should have the crusade in Argentina .” He objected, giving several strong reasons why we could not do so. After my third try, suddenly he said: “O.K. Let’s try Cordoba."

Everything clicked after that, although the R.C. Church organized a total media black - out and the Police Chief left town so that he wouldn’t have to sign the ‘crusade permit’. We started with 6,000 people and the miracles happened from the beginning, with thousands converted. Joy filled the city, the Police Chief returned after four days to glowing reports and signed the papers, and Roman Catholic clergy attended, getting blessed with the others.

CORDOBA is a city of intellectuals and Argentina ’s ‘ University City ’. It was the hardest to reach with the Gospel, but Jesus made it easy as people came out of wheelchairs, threw down their crutches, lost their cancerous tumours, ulcers, hernias and cataracts! The joy of the Lord filled the city and the television crews filmed the final service. Journalists estimated the crowd at 48,000 enthusiastic people, who were praising God with all their heart and believing in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.

Oh, how wonderful it was to hear these multitudes give glory to Jesus and renounce Satan, sin, sickness, fear and evil! No one thought it was possible, but with God all things are possible, and many believe that this Crusade has opened a new door of Evangelism for Argentina and was the greatest crusade conducted in that country since Tommy Hicks was there 23 years earlier! To God be the glory, great things He has done.

Surely, when Jesus opens a door, no man can close that door, and when Jesus closes a door, no man can open it! We believe this great crusade in Argentina is only a prelude to even greater crusades in Chile , Paraguay , Brazil and other countries in the days and years that lie ahead! Again, let me say: “All the praise, honour and glory belongs to Jesus Christ, our crucified and risen Lord and Saviour".

I PREACH TO FOUR MILITARY LEADERS

Omar set up a meeting with the four leading Colonels who ruled the Military Junta in the Cordoba area. I shared the Gospel, Omar interpreted and the Colonels began to sweat! We were on fire for God and they could sense it! They said, “We thought you were a cult like the Jehovah’s Witnesses, but you are preaching the Bible! What do you want from us?"

“Two things”, I answered, “First, stop your persecution of the Evangelicals. Stop your persecution of Omar Cabrera and Dr. Vaccaro (the president of the Evangelicals). Secondly, I’d like you to give your hearts to Jesus Christ, and attend the crusade.”

     They all smiled broadly and seemed very satisfied. They said they really liked my preaching and had heard great reports of our meetings. And, they promised that the persecution against the Evangelicals, Omar Cabrera and Dr. Voccaro would stop! Then, Omar and I prayed for them in Jesus’ name and the power of God filled the room. We asked for God’s blessing upon them, their families and the people of Cordoba and Argentina !

     True to their word, the persecution stopped immediately! Omar Cabrera returned to Cordoba two weeks later for another crusade and drew 17,000 persons. He started a Church and it grew to 9,000 within 18 months! And about 450 pastors had joined with him in the Vision de Futuro, conducting crusades and planting churches across Argentina !

     THE REST IS HISTORY! Carlos Annacondia got saved and began holding crusades with upwards to 100,000 persons attending a single service, with staggering miracles, signs and wonders! It is estimated that he has won between 2 to 3 million souls to Jesus Christ in the last 15 years! All glory to God! I’m so thankful to God that I had a small part to play, in this gigantic miracle of God’s grace to Argentina !