Replanted

Casa de Oración (House of Prayer) is the smallest of our congregations in Santa Cruz. It has a long history of ups and downs which probably helps to explain why it is small after several years of being. The final blow came to the church several months ago when the pastor resigned from the church, saying that he did not sense that he was cut out (called? equipped?) to be a pastor. (He is continuing to be active in both the district and with the Lord.) The end result was that the church shut down. The irony in all of this was that shortly before that decision the district churches had gone together to help construct a new little building for the church. Previously the church had always met under a small tin roof with no walls or floor.

This is the old "building".

The new building - even has a cement floor.

 The president of the district had a heavy burden for this church before the young pastor resigned and was the one behind the move to build the building. Now that the church had ceased to operate he was a bit confused as to which direction to turn. But he did not give up. If nothing else, the other churches could take turns in supplying a teacher and something could be started for kids.


Last Sunday I was invited to attend the church. It is back in operation with a very small group meeting there.

Not everyone was from the neighborhood. Several of these folks are connected with the district leadership.

 The church building is almost complete, just lacking windows and a door, but it is back up and running. There are still many questions about its future. No one knows for certain who can/will be willing to take pastoral responsibility for the church. But these issues will be sorted out in time. The important thing is that this replanted church is trying to again be a light in its neighborhood. Please pray for House of Prayer that God will provide a pastor or leader who will take up the burden for both the church and the neighborhood for Jesus´sake.

You can read an earlier post about this church that is dated September 20, 2010. Simply go to the blog archive and click on 2010, September and select the post entitled "Crafty Ladies".