We, in conjunction with Pastor Carlos Maciel, have been struggling to get our church plant, affectionately now known as Temple Tierra Libertad, to the place we would call “thriving.” This is not to fault any one person; just another story, in what might seem to visitors to the area, a very progressive part of Mexico...
In case you are new to our blogs, this church was planted to disciple the women and children (and eventually men and families) that regularly attend the Cabo English Church’s feeding station in Tierra y Libertad. Our first obstacle was finding two lots located near the feeding station that were available for purchase. Although this was originally “free land” for people to establish homes with no cost, there was also no protection of ownership. Eventually, the government of the Municipality of Los Cabos let the Ehido (Mexican Indians) lot the property off and offer “the right to squat” for a relatively small cost for land in Los Cabos. For us, it was almost six months of praying and research before the Lord opened up the two lots Templo Tierra y Libertad is built on.
We were given the most generous gift we have ever received to build the “pavilion style” sanctuary, kitchen, and future classrooms (just in case you’re wondering, the property came with a real flush toilet and bathroom). Since this was our first corporate donation experience, however, we started spreading the word of the new building project when the money was earmarked, which, on our part, was too soon. The excitement grew and within a few months Pastor Carlos had around 100 residents from the Tierra y Libertad area attending the mother church in Lomas del Sol, waiting to move down to the new church plant.
When the money did come through (and we are very grateful), the next hurdle in the building project was for Pastor Carlos Maciel to find quality craftsmen who would finish the job within the building project’s budget. I know this story sounds like one of the skits on the old He Haw television show, but this is actually just the “tip of the iceberg” account of a different way of life. At long last, Pastor Carlos, weary from months of struggling with the project while maintaining the rest of his schedule, brought himself to ask Richard to finish the church complex. This new assignment for Richard brought about the rest of the story−the new burst of life for Templo Tierra y Libertad.
Pastor Carlos assigned Scary to be in charge of administering the new church activities and Scary was available, due to support from a wonderful couple (see previous blog). Templo Tierra y Libertad was added to the rotating preaching schedule with the other three Cristo es el Camino churches. Richard came up with the idea of going door-to-door throughout the large colony, handing out invitations to the Tierra y Libertad church services, along with beans and rice. One of our faithful supporters jumped at the opportunity to be a part of this project by funding the rice and beans.
Then, Richard, now very involved with a regular schedule at Tierra y Libertad, asked me to pray about the two of us changing our schedule on Sunday evenings to come alongside Pastor Carlos’ seasoned team of leaders and precious servants. After much prayer, we just recently switched to evening services on Sunday at the church plant to see what God might be doing.
By the time this entire story unfolded, the brothers and sisters who were ready to move down to Templo Tierra y Libertad had become a vital part of the mother church. However, we are not despairing. We are sharing this update because we know many of you have prayerfully followed the progress of this project. Because of the church plant’s location, we still expect it to outgrow the current structure and land, so please continue to pray with great expectation of what the Lord can do!
In case you are new to our blogs, this church was planted to disciple the women and children (and eventually men and families) that regularly attend the Cabo English Church’s feeding station in Tierra y Libertad. Our first obstacle was finding two lots located near the feeding station that were available for purchase. Although this was originally “free land” for people to establish homes with no cost, there was also no protection of ownership. Eventually, the government of the Municipality of Los Cabos let the Ehido (Mexican Indians) lot the property off and offer “the right to squat” for a relatively small cost for land in Los Cabos. For us, it was almost six months of praying and research before the Lord opened up the two lots Templo Tierra y Libertad is built on.
We were given the most generous gift we have ever received to build the “pavilion style” sanctuary, kitchen, and future classrooms (just in case you’re wondering, the property came with a real flush toilet and bathroom). Since this was our first corporate donation experience, however, we started spreading the word of the new building project when the money was earmarked, which, on our part, was too soon. The excitement grew and within a few months Pastor Carlos had around 100 residents from the Tierra y Libertad area attending the mother church in Lomas del Sol, waiting to move down to the new church plant.
When the money did come through (and we are very grateful), the next hurdle in the building project was for Pastor Carlos Maciel to find quality craftsmen who would finish the job within the building project’s budget. I know this story sounds like one of the skits on the old He Haw television show, but this is actually just the “tip of the iceberg” account of a different way of life. At long last, Pastor Carlos, weary from months of struggling with the project while maintaining the rest of his schedule, brought himself to ask Richard to finish the church complex. This new assignment for Richard brought about the rest of the story−the new burst of life for Templo Tierra y Libertad.
Pastor Carlos assigned Scary to be in charge of administering the new church activities and Scary was available, due to support from a wonderful couple (see previous blog). Templo Tierra y Libertad was added to the rotating preaching schedule with the other three Cristo es el Camino churches. Richard came up with the idea of going door-to-door throughout the large colony, handing out invitations to the Tierra y Libertad church services, along with beans and rice. One of our faithful supporters jumped at the opportunity to be a part of this project by funding the rice and beans.
Then, Richard, now very involved with a regular schedule at Tierra y Libertad, asked me to pray about the two of us changing our schedule on Sunday evenings to come alongside Pastor Carlos’ seasoned team of leaders and precious servants. After much prayer, we just recently switched to evening services on Sunday at the church plant to see what God might be doing.
By the time this entire story unfolded, the brothers and sisters who were ready to move down to Templo Tierra y Libertad had become a vital part of the mother church. However, we are not despairing. We are sharing this update because we know many of you have prayerfully followed the progress of this project. Because of the church plant’s location, we still expect it to outgrow the current structure and land, so please continue to pray with great expectation of what the Lord can do!
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