History of the Heredia church of Christ

The Heredia church of Christ was established in March 1996 by Freddy and Damaris Astorga and family. He started it in his home in Barva, Heredia, another city North of the main city of Heredia.

Two years later there were 25 members and they were renting a location in Barva to handle the increase. In 1999, church member Miriam Hernández, a local business woman, loaned the church a meeting place in Heredia downtown, where the church met for three years free of charge.

During the three years in this location 40 were baptized and then the church was able to purchase the present property where the church meets. The church borrowed the money from INVU, a public housing institution, and moved into the new building in 2001. The loan has been paid off and there is no mortgage on the property.

By the year 2003, Walter and Myrna Jones, and Socorro Cruz, Myrna's sister, had moved to Heredia, Costa Rica. Walter and Myrna were very instrumental in assisting Freddy in the planting of this church, as they are today. Walter and Myrna provided emotional and financial support to Freddy and the church. Walter's presence has been very important for the church. One of the areas where Walter helps is the financial. He was elected as one of the men who assist in the leadership in the absence of elders.

In October 2006, Freddy Astorga went to the presence of the Lord at the age of 46 years. He left Damaris and three children, the oldest being 17 years old.

By the time when Freddy was gone, Carlos Ulate , former preacher at the Hatillo church of Christ in downtown San José, had moved his membership to the Heredia church, where he lives anyway. He and Freddy had been able to forge a friendship and by February 2006 Freddy had the vision to introduce Carlos as his co-worker, and assistant preacher. Carlos interprets this as the Lord's will for him (Carlos had left Hatillo, trying to have a break from heavy ministry burdens, and he thought he was going to have a break from ministry, but the Lord didn't think it was a good idea. He used Freddy to continue to use Carlos in the ministry).

So Carlos is elected to be the preacher in November 2006. Carlos then asked the church to elect other members to assist him in the Leadership.

The church has gone on. Since October, 18 people have been baptized and added to the church.

There are now 95 members.

Carlos is partially supported since September 15, by the Bammel church. The rest of his support comes from his half tenure as college professor at Universidad Nacional, the second largest public university in Costa Rica.