Tuesday, April 5, 2011

The faces of Bolivia, part 2

For many people, the name Elvis brings back memories of a famous musical entertainer, “The King of Rock and Roll,” Elvis Presley.  For our family, the name Elvis reminds us of a faithful servant reaching the community of Horna C’kasa with the eternal message of God.  We would like to introduce you to Pastor Elvis Huaca. 


Pastor Elvis and John


Three short years ago there existed a community of close to 1,000 people with no evangelical church.  Called by God to plant a church in the poorest slum area of Sucre, Pastor Elvis and his wife Rosemary planted Shekina church in the heart of Horna C’Kasa.  Today Shekina church reaches close to 80 youth and children in Horna C’kasa on a weekly basis.  As a young pastor in a very hard and difficult neighborhood Pastor Elvis is constantly seeking the wisdom and favor of God as he reaches into some of the most challenging and heartbreaking family situations. 

In just three years Shekina church has brought hope and promise to children and youth plagued with neglect, abuse and abandonment.  Elvis uses the example of Omar, a youth in his church, to testify to God’s transforming power.  Omar was a youth involved heavily in gangs, drugs and other devastating life choices.  With the motivation to destroy this new local church by burning it down Omar attended Shekina church 2 years ago to devise a plan of action.  For several weeks Omar sat in the last row of the church with a scowl on his face.  But over time, God began to do a work in his heart and steadily God began renewing Omar’s heart and reconciling his life.  Today Omar is the worship leader for the Shekina Church worship band and a testimony to God’s faithful pursuit of us.  Through the faithful ministry of Pastor Elvis many more Omar’s are being reached out to every week.

Pastor Elvis has sacrificed a great deal to reach these broken families and youth in Horna C’Kasa.  The ministry is tough, complicated, and often physically, emotionally, and spiritually draining, but God has been faithful and is using Elvis to bring hope in the midst of hopelessness.  If there is one thing we have learned from Elvis in our almost two years of ministry in Bolivia it is the power of our authentic and heart-filled prayers.  Time and again Elvis has challenged us to seek God in faithfulness and invite His resurrection power into every circumstance we face.  For greater is He who is in us, than he who is in the world. 

The King of Rock and Roll is dead, but Pastor Elvis is a daily reminder that the true King stills lives and is working through His faithful servants across the world.  Thanks Elvis.  May the Lord continue to Shepherd your ministry and bring encouragement to your family and the transforming work you are doing in Horna C’Kasa.    




Shekina Church


Worship band



Church with John's parents when they visited in 2010.