Third Quarter 2024

Third Quarter Report of 2024

Introduction

The Heredia church continues its mission to grow both spiritually and physically. Our goals for this quarter include addressing the urgent need for remodeling our current facility and expanding our outreach efforts in the community.

Key Activities

Remodeling Project:

We have nearly ₡19,000,000 ($38,000) saved for much-needed renovations to the church facility. However, stricter city regulations, such as requirements for parking spaces and access for people with disabilities, have delayed our progress. Church leaders are actively working to obtain the necessary permissions, and we ask for your prayers in finding a solution. The current location requires these updates to better serve our members and future visitors.

Church Multiplication Initiative:

Another important development is our focus on expanding the congregation into new areas of town. Roxana and I have been seriously considering using members from the Heredia church who live in other parts of the city, such as San Pablo, to start a new congregation. We already have ten members willing to meet in their homes on Sunday mornings. This initiative will relieve space constraints in our downtown location and extend our reach into other communities.

Collaboration with EBI en Línea

I continue my collaboration with Rocky Castleberry as the "Dean of Academics" for EBI en Línea (Estudios Bíblicos Internacionales en Línea), where we assist church groups in Cuba, as well as individuals in Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and Costa Rica. We are currently reaching close to 100 people, primarily church leaders, offering formal courses that deepen their understanding of God's Word and provide practical advice on church organization. My role includes ensuring that each course has a well-structured syllabus and is both academically and biblically sound.

Exploration of Worship Practices

We have spent considerable time studying the New Testament to explore new ways of worship that align more closely with Scripture. We believe the Bible does not prescribe a rigid structure for worship services. Instead, we see an emphasis on community, prayer, and breaking bread together. This understanding frees us to explore flexible, Spirit-led gatherings, moving away from the more traditional formats that have developed over time through cultural influences.

Evangelism and Fellowship

My work with the Heredia church remains strong, and I have taken on a new role within the congregation as we explore different ways of being the church. Our focus has shifted toward leading people to Jesus rather than just to 'our church.' We emphasize walking alongside people through their struggles, sharing Christ’s love in practical ways. On Monday nights, about twenty of us gather consistently for this alternative expression of church, where we share a meal and practice what we call 'love evangelism.'

As my friend Donald Prantl from Nebraska has insightfully stated: "When people come to church, they need to find what they cannot find in the world—God’s unconditional love and provision, His unreserved grace shared through our messages and communal life. The church should free us from guilt and shame, not be a license for sin, and it should never foster feelings of incompetence or pride. Within a healthy spiritual community of believers, we experience deeper affections that drive us to serve with joy."

This approach aligns perfectly with our philosophy of 'love evangelism,' which is centered around forming deep relationships, serving others, and helping people experience Christ’s love firsthand. By focusing on these aspects, we are discovering the true heart of evangelism: sharing God’s grace through meaningful connections and fellowship.

Future Plans

Looking ahead, our priorities for the last quarter of the year include securing the necessary permissions for the church renovations, continuing our efforts in establishing a new congregation in San Pablo, and deepening our approach to evangelism. We are excited about the direction in which God is leading us and remain committed to serving both our congregation and the broader community in meaningful ways.