Empowering the Church II

One of the final lessons in our curriculum of church strengthening is teaching leaders God’s intentions for the church today.  What is the role of the church and how does God want the local church to be an instrument of transformation in its community?  We teach this principle through a lesson called “seed projects.”  Seed projects are small projects that any church, family, or individual can do to have impact or influence for the gory of God in their community or neighborhood.  Seed projects are motivated by Jesus love and example of growth (Luke 2:52) and service (Acts 20:53), and they seek to plant seeds of transformation in the community.  These projects also speak to God’s desire for stewardship, development, and our care of creation.  

An important aspect of seed projects is the fact that they use the resources of the local church or family to complete the project.  It does not involve outside resources but rather a faith venture within the individual or group.  Their own time, money, creativity, and tools.  Breaking the mentality of dependence in materially poor areas is extremely difficult, so seed projects seek to empower the churches to see the abundance of resources in their midst.  The Bible illustrates through a variety of stories how God desires to multiple our obedience for His glory.  As the church embraces its God given role in the community, healing, restoration, and reconciliation will be the result. 

Several of our churches have done seed projects over the last few months.  (Many with great motivation and creativity.)  Below are a few highlights from some of the seed projects completed this summer by small churches in the slum areas of Sucre. 

First fix the basketball back board

Then paint it!

Pastor Severino (left) leading his team of servants

Final product for this project.... a sparkling clean street!

Though we have lived here for two years Ella is still a novelty.  People often ask to take their picture with her.  

Empowering the Church

We would love to share with you a few highlights of our current ministry with churches here in Bolivia.  Early in 2011 John started working on a church strengthening project aimed to encourage, empower, and train church leaders and pastors.  For the first 6 months of the year John and a Bolivian pastor (Luis) spent time launching the first phase of this training project.  Mosty training, teaching, and encouraging the pastors and leaders.  To this point John and Luis have worked with 14 different churches in and around the city of Sucre.  Nine of them have completed the first phase of training, as well as 1 seminary, and all will continue in 2012 with the second phase, of application, teaching, and deeper study.  This new project has brought about new challenges and obstacles for us, but we are very encouraged in the progress and openness many of the pastors and leaders have had.  We are grateful that God has equipped us to do this work and trust his faithfulness in bringing transformation in time. 

The past two months we have been celebrating with many of these churches their graduation through phase one of our training.  Typically we take a night to celebrate their participation by handing out certificates of completion, praying for God’s future direction and wisdom, and sharing a meal or snacks together.  Below is a list of churches who have completed our training.  As well as a few photos to celebrate our work with churches here Bolivia. 

Iglesia CICA, Aposento Alto

Iglesia Templo de Fe

Iglesia Casa de Dios

Iglesia Casa de Oracion

Iglesia Centro Familiar

Iglesia Cristo es la Unica Esperanza

Ministerio Vision de Desarollo Integral

Ejercito de Salvacion (Liga de Jovenes)

Ejercito de Salvacion (Liga de Lideres)

Seminario Universidad Unidad

If you want a real challenge some afternoon when you are bored, you can try to translate some of the church names mentioned above!  

Pastor Primo.  Iglesia Casa de Oracion

Capitan Carlos.  Iglesia Ejercito de Salvacion

The church Templo de Fe gave Luis and John hand-made bags as a thank you.  It is normal for John's head to be cut off in pictures, he is always just a few inches too tall.... 

A special celebration dinner with the church Templo de Fe.  

A spicy Bolivian dish called Mondongo.  All that food is floating in a blazing hot red pepper sauce called aji.  Never sets good when you eat it at 9:30 at night....

Pastor Wilbur.  Iglesia CICA, Aposento Alto

A graduate from the church CICA, Aposento Alto

Pastor Juanica.  Iglesia Casa de Dios