The Sacrificial Service in the Latin church
Recently, I was asked about the lessons the U.S. church could learn from the Latin American church. One of the first things that came to mind was the tremendous sacrifice I have witnessed among pastors and leaders in the Latin church. Most of the pastors that Dawn and I work with in Latin America are willing to sacrifice and live on very little while serving the Lord. Many of these families have had to endure painful trials as they minister. It is both a joy and a humbling experience for us to work alongside these pastors, seeing what they often suffer through.
A Special Pastoral Couple: Uriel and Arely Garcia
Dawn and I cherish the opportunity to meet with and encourage these courageous leaders. One such pastoral couple is Uriel and Arely Garcia, who are pastoring a church in Rosarito. This is one of the churches we helped plant in 2016, officially inaugurated on Sunday, October 16, 2016. The next day, at midnight, our beautiful daughter Hannah moved to heaven. While I don’t want to dwell on that here, it does make this church particularly special to us. Pastor Uriel and Arely weren’t there at the church’s inception; they came a few years later.
Diligence and Dedication: Reaching the Community
Before their arrival, the church struggled to grow. Uriel and Arely began reaching out to the community, and God started a transformative work. The people in the Ramos II area are not easy to reach, but Uriel and Arely have been diligent, walking through the neighborhoods surrounding the church to invite people to come.
Ramos II is a rural community in Rosarito. There is much poverty, crime, and spiritual darkness. Pastor Uriel and his family regularly visit homes in the area, despite knowing the risks. They pray before they leave, and they take gospel tracts and invitations to the church. Uriel once shared with me that during a visit to a home. He came up to the home and saw that the husband and wife were there. He introduced himself and invited them to the church. They said they were not interested. Then Uriel noticed they pulled out a gun to ensure Uriel understood.
Despite this, they continue to go out weekly to show the love of Christ in the community. Uriel and Arely know that the Lord called them to serve him in Ramos II, and they are determined to stay the course. It’s inspiring to witness their love for Christ and their commitment to serve.
Trials and Triumphs: Family Struggles
To make a living, Uriel sells bread and perfume. They live on a tight budget, and the church is not close to where they live. They receive no pay for their pastoral work; instead, they use their own resources to drive to the church and support the ministry.
They’ve also faced challenges within their family. Arely’s brother had an altar to “Santa Muerte,” the saint of death, which, unfortunately, is common in the area. Her brother has also struggled with addictions. They’ve been praying for his freedom from these chains, and he is currently in rehab.
Uriel and Arely often reach out to us for prayer when they’re going through difficult times. It’s a joy to encourage them and pray for them.
Despite all the trials they’ve been through as a family they continue to faithfully minister. The Lord is rewarding their efforts as the church grows. The Light of Christ is shining in Ramos II through them.
God is growing His church through Pastor Uriel and Arely, and other faithful servants like them.
Join Us in Prayer
- Pray for the Lord’s provision for Uriel and Arely.
- Pray that the church continues to grow and make a difference in Ramos II.
- Pray for the Lord’s protection, boldness, and continued faithfulness in the face of adversity.
Extend Your Hands to Help!
Dawn and I are deeply grateful for your willingness to partner with us and extend your hands to help. We recognize that this ministry and the planting of these churches would not be possible without you. Your support means the world to us, and we truly believe that each contribution brings us one step closer to transforming more lives for the Kingdom.
Video: Celebrating Church #50
In His Grip, Dave
P.S. Help take the gospel to the Border, the Baja and Beyond
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