 |
| The Astorga-García Family |
Two years later there were 25 members and they were renting a location in Barva to handle the increase. In 1999, church member Miriam Brenes, found that this location was not appropriate, so she offered the church a place in downtown Heredia, where the church could meet free of charge to make enough savings to purchase a permanent location.
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. Walter and Myrna provided emotional and financial support to Freddy and the church. Walter's presence was very important for the church. One of the areas where Walter helped was 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 near 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 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, thinking that 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 (Carlos Brenes, Olman Brenes, Raúl Jiménez, Walter Jones, Nestor Silva, Ignacio Soto). Raúl Jiménez and Nestor Silva eventually moved out of town and they are now members in other congregations.
There are 134 members as of January 2010. These include teenagers and children.
Carlos is partially supported since September 15, 2008, by the Bammel Church of Christ and the St. Mary's County Church of Christ (Maryland). The rest of his support comes from his half tenure as college professor at Universidad Nacional, the second largest public university in Costa Rica, and the local church.
As of February 2010, Walter Jones also departed to the presence of the Lord.
