Learn a bit about El Salvador and the Christian Reformed Church there.
THE COUNTRY The most densely populated country of Central America with its 7 million people, El Salvador is striving toward a better future. However, it suffers from the typical problems of a two sector economy, violence left over from the war as well as the gangs that have returned with youth that grew up in the U.S., a deforested countryside, and the overpopulated capital city, San Salvador. Multiple political parties used to vie for influence, but the two remaining are polarized right and left. In 2009 after 20 years in power, the rightists were replaced by the left (see "updates" tab). I was there to serve with the churches as an International Observer of the elections.
Religiously, Roman Catholicism is predominate (though now only just over 50% self-identify as such); it has conservative and progressive factions. The evangelicals - especially Pentecostals - have grown rapidly; a recent survey shows 38.2%. The CRC of ES can participate in this growth. This is the setting for ministry.
HISTORY The ES CRC is compromised of two hopeful congregations -one village (Huizucar*) and one city (Santa Tecla) - that date to mission work of nearly 40 years. It was government registered in 1979, and suffered through the long civil war and a split. Mention is made of the ES CRC and the Reformed Calvinist Church in the Family of Reformed and Presbyterian Churches, published by the World Council of Churches, Geneva. Their viability?!?...read on.
Religiously, Roman Catholicism is predominate (though now only just over 50% self-identify as such); it has conservative and progressive factions. The evangelicals - especially Pentecostals - have grown rapidly; a recent survey shows 38.2%. The CRC of ES can participate in this growth. This is the setting for ministry.
HISTORY The ES CRC is compromised of two hopeful congregations -one village (Huizucar*) and one city (Santa Tecla) - that date to mission work of nearly 40 years. It was government registered in 1979, and suffered through the long civil war and a split. Mention is made of the ES CRC and the Reformed Calvinist Church in the Family of Reformed and Presbyterian Churches, published by the World Council of Churches, Geneva. Their viability?!?...read on.
My assignment was leadership development
LEADERSHIP Due to the war there was a great deal of discontinuity of mission presence. Leaders were poorly prepared, some failed, others defected. One could say that if it were not for the sacrificial unremunerated work of elder Samuel Montano (white shirt) the church would no longer exist. Finally in 2003 Rev. Carlos Mejia (second from right) became its first ordained minister. Jorge Ponce, (blue shirt and jeans) musician and caretaker finished his advanced theological studies making him eligible to teach religion in schools.
The Mission supplies some study scholarship help, and training through Timothy Leadership Institute, in addition to the small "Theological Institute" run by the churches themselves. Regional conferences equip them to serve with increasing abilities.
The Directiva Nacional, some pictured here, is the leadership for the Word and Deed Project you can learn about on the next page.
ORIENTATION A conscious Reformed self-understanding is growing in the leadership. Rev. Mejia looks to the Calvinistic heritage for his inspiration in doctrine and liturgy; he says "the Reformed faith is what my country needs to overcome its problems." The ES CRC seeks to be a centrist presence and option among so many others in this conflictive and polarized society, taking "the full counsel of God" to the society.
RECENT INITIATIVES. With the impetus given by the Multiplication Network (son John's organization) the churches are increasingly involved in planting new faith groups. Especially around Huizucar in the "cantones" and villages in the coffee growing areas there are now emerging four or five new groups. One with all local effort is raising a building. (this note of late 2018)
Proceed to the contact tab, or to the updates at the top
The Mission supplies some study scholarship help, and training through Timothy Leadership Institute, in addition to the small "Theological Institute" run by the churches themselves. Regional conferences equip them to serve with increasing abilities.
The Directiva Nacional, some pictured here, is the leadership for the Word and Deed Project you can learn about on the next page.
ORIENTATION A conscious Reformed self-understanding is growing in the leadership. Rev. Mejia looks to the Calvinistic heritage for his inspiration in doctrine and liturgy; he says "the Reformed faith is what my country needs to overcome its problems." The ES CRC seeks to be a centrist presence and option among so many others in this conflictive and polarized society, taking "the full counsel of God" to the society.
RECENT INITIATIVES. With the impetus given by the Multiplication Network (son John's organization) the churches are increasingly involved in planting new faith groups. Especially around Huizucar in the "cantones" and villages in the coffee growing areas there are now emerging four or five new groups. One with all local effort is raising a building. (this note of late 2018)
Proceed to the contact tab, or to the updates at the top