Following the Lord's leadership through these relationships we have found ourselves in a partnership in Guatemala with a church and pastor who have a passion for the people. Iglesia Jerusalen in Los Pinos, just outside the city itself, has been a blessing to join with ministry and mission. The heart of Pastor Jorge Morales is so gigantic for his people and the Mayan people of Guatemala. He has faithfully led the local church to invest in the Kingdom through children's ministry, youth ministry, mission outreaches, and church planting. All the while he leads the faith family to grow weekly and challenge one another through the study of the Word and through intentional prayer together and individually. This amazing partnership for us, has taught us a great deal about cross-cultural ministry and how to assist the local church in ministry rather than do the ministry for the local church.
This past year, after many months of prayer, the Lord opened the door for the church to purchase property in Sajcavilla. This Mayan community, some thirty to forty minutes drive up into the mountains from Iglesia Jerusalen, has become a point of ministry and mission since June of 2010. Through Pastor Morales' leadership we have been able to assist the establishment of a local church in the community and now see the prospect of a permanent physical base of operations for the church in Sajcavilla. The Lord has confirmed His desire for this work to sink down roots here in this location by clearly directing everyone to a single piece of land and then providing through obedience the funding for the purchase. The continued growth of the church and the desire for more ministry and mission is motivating the newest steps of faithfulness in Sajcavilla.
The vision is being set for a ministry base in Sajcavilla to include a worship gathering space, feeding center home base and a facility to develop and train in disciple-making truths among a Mayan people group. The excitement of this potential is already being felt throughout the community. Many members of the community are asking when the church will begin to gather on the property so they can come join the gathering. This is EXCITING! The community asking for the church to meet! How incredible is our God!
The vision for this property and the potential impact it will have for the Kingdom is becoming very clear as we discuss the plans and see the pieces of the plans come together. In order to see hearts and lives impacted further we need to invest in some bricks and mortar! It is time to sacrificially give of the excesses granted by the Father in our lives for the furthering of the Gospel and the teaching of His ways among people in a distant location.
The Lord has already established a leadership team in Sajcavilla who are meeting and leading currently under Pastor Morales' leadership. There are members of the Jerusalen faith family investing their time and resources in the work of the ministry weekly in this growing faith family. Our teams are continuing to teach the Word in every classroom we are given opportunity and share the Gospel through home visits and teaching of the Word. What we are praying for now is partners for the work ahead.
In the coming days construction will need to begin on the property. We have a plan to begin with a perimeter fence to protect and secure the property as well as define the location as it is somewhat surrounded by open land. We will then need to build two small houses on the property to provide for a family who will be the caretakers of the property and church as it is built. In addition we need a second house for families in crisis to use as they wrestle through the difficulties of a life of faith in a poverty stricken region. While these are being built a bathhouse needs to be built to provide bathrooms for gatherings as well as for those who live on the property. The next phase of work will be to build a two story structure to house gathering space and feeding center facilities on the main level and children/youth ministry space on the second floor. Currently the church has almost twice as many children who attend the Sunday gatherings as adults and mainly due to the lack of space!
We are awaiting formal proposals from engineers to determine specific costs involved on the major construction. However, currently we are seeking the Lord for partners who will help us join the church in its efforts to begin the first stages of development. Overall we anticipate needing close to $100,000.00 for the entire project. To begin we are seeking those who will join us to raise $20,000.00 to begin as soon as possible with the wall, houses and bathhouse. We know our costs will change as we help develop the property and face unknown things that come up with construction. However, we are sure that by using local members of the community to do much of the work as well as the expertise of these in the community to be efficient and effective at the best possible work we could see, and the highest level of stewardship as possible with the resources provided.
So, as you read this, will you ask the Lord to give you clarity and direction on how He wants you to be involved. I firmly believe that sometimes we must invest in bricks and mortar to further the impact of the local church on hearts and lives. This local church has committed to reaching its community. This local mission effort has already seen amazing growth and the Lord is blessing their work with added members and strengthening the leadership. Now, lets encourage them to press on in their obedience with our obedience to His call to support the church globally with our resources and our time. Join us as a team member and help us build! Join us as a prayer warrior and support the work with faithful prayer for leaders and workers as they serve. Join us in contributing as the Lord leads to the financial needs to develop this property to reach the world and teach the Word!
In His Grip,
JT Turner
