"So many people in Puerta Vallarta are lost and captive to do the Devil's will. We are heartbroken to see this. We pray for more churches, more missionaries, and His power to work in us to bring more to Christ.”
- Pastor Anderson
When we came to Puerto Vallarta in 2009, we started by helping another congregation with their day to day ministry. This gave us an opportunity to become established and create a network of friends. We did not know it at the time, but six years later that congregation would close it's doors. Almost all of its members decided to become a part of our congregation. That has been a tremendous blessing for us! Most of their members were our close friends.
So, after one year we began our own worship service. After having several failed Bible studies, we finally found some people who were growing in their commitment to Jesus Christ. This group wished to join us in worship as they became more and more grounded in the faith. From that group we received our first six members: Javier, Nancy, Carlos, Maury, Sylvia, and Chivis. At the same time we baptized all six of these members, we also baptized two covenant children. We were thrilled! Since that time we have added about another 15 members. There are currently six people who are ready to join the church as well. Our members are our family. We count on them. They count on us.
Moreover, as I write these words I can hear workers in the background who are doing the preparation work for a building where we may worship God. It has been a long road to get to the point where we may construct something to bring the gospel to our community for many years to come. It will be simple: because worship should be straightforward and simple. It will be versatile: because his frugal people we wish to be responsible with the Lord's money. It will be airy and fresh: because we are in the tropics and our times together remind us to build relationships as we spend time together. With a two bedroom apartment on the second floor, it will also be able to house seminary students, or visiting missionaries, or even a native pastor someday. For now, we are looking for our people to join with us in the costs, and the sweat, and the obligation of caring for church building.
It is the Lord's church and we must treat it that way. We focus on solid Christian doctrine, encouraging Christian leaders, ministry to youth and young people with good teaching, and, of course, worship services that are pleasing to God. We are still reaching out to our community. So many people in Puerto Vallarta are lost and captive to do the Devil's will. We are heartbroken to see this. We pray for more churches, more missionaries, and his power to work in us to bring more to Christ.
So, after one year we began our own worship service. After having several failed Bible studies, we finally found some people who were growing in their commitment to Jesus Christ. This group wished to join us in worship as they became more and more grounded in the faith. From that group we received our first six members: Javier, Nancy, Carlos, Maury, Sylvia, and Chivis. At the same time we baptized all six of these members, we also baptized two covenant children. We were thrilled! Since that time we have added about another 15 members. There are currently six people who are ready to join the church as well. Our members are our family. We count on them. They count on us.
Moreover, as I write these words I can hear workers in the background who are doing the preparation work for a building where we may worship God. It has been a long road to get to the point where we may construct something to bring the gospel to our community for many years to come. It will be simple: because worship should be straightforward and simple. It will be versatile: because his frugal people we wish to be responsible with the Lord's money. It will be airy and fresh: because we are in the tropics and our times together remind us to build relationships as we spend time together. With a two bedroom apartment on the second floor, it will also be able to house seminary students, or visiting missionaries, or even a native pastor someday. For now, we are looking for our people to join with us in the costs, and the sweat, and the obligation of caring for church building.
It is the Lord's church and we must treat it that way. We focus on solid Christian doctrine, encouraging Christian leaders, ministry to youth and young people with good teaching, and, of course, worship services that are pleasing to God. We are still reaching out to our community. So many people in Puerto Vallarta are lost and captive to do the Devil's will. We are heartbroken to see this. We pray for more churches, more missionaries, and his power to work in us to bring more to Christ.