New Church Planters, New Life, and New Outreaches

AVANZA, IMPACTOnetwork's church planter assessment event, took place January 30 - February 3.  After 4 long days of workshops and activities, the 5 candidate couples received a personalized recommendation report compiled by our team of 10 observers.  ​Some of the candidates were sent from other ministries who partnered with IMPACTOnetwork to receive more complete information about their church planter.  The rest of the couples were potential church planters with IMPACTOnetwork.

Holly Alvarado, Director of AVANZA, said she was excited to see all the couples leave encouraged and with the anticipation of seeing what God will do in their lives in the future.  She also was grateful for the opportunity to have observers from other organizations participating in AVANZA.  We continue to look for ways to work together with other ministries who are focused on Kingdom growth.  

​Please be praying for the IMPACTOnetwork team as we evaluate the couples and their recommendations as we look ahead to future church plants.  Pray that God will encourage them all as they continue to grow in their personal lives and ministries. 

Give to Church Planting

On Sunday January 26, Amador and Julia were baptized in their home.  La Viña's Villa del Lago Life Group first met Amador and Julia in November during a Life Group week of service.  The Life Group was given their names by other members of La Viña because of their situation.  Amador had ALS and was bedridden.  Julia, his wife, became his full time care giver and they struggled with having resources to provide for the special needs arising from his condition.  The group collected and delivered food and adult diapers and spent time praying with them.  

Soon after, Julia started attending La Viña's Sunday morning celebration and Life Group.  Héctor visited them and studied what the Bible tells us about baptism with them.  They shared their desire to be baptized and the group mobilized once again.  Using a portable baptistry from the local Bible college, a group from La Viña went to their house and baptized the couple.  Members from La Viña were able to get them a hospital bed to make Amador more comfortable in their home.

Last week, Amador was in the hospital for a few days in very serious condition. His family took him home of Friday and on Sunday afternoon we received word from Julia that Amador passed away around noon.  Immediately, Héctor went with some members of Villa del Lago Life Group to visit Julia.  She was at peace and glad that he was finally resting.  Sunday night, there was a wake in the home which a group of La Viña members attended.  They were able to share from God's word with the family and sing songs of hope and the peace that only Christ brings. 

Rejoice with us that Amador is no longer suffering but has been made whole in Heaven!  Pray for Julia as she begins a new chapter of life without her beloved husband.  Ask God to overflow peace and comfort in her life.  Pray that the family members who heard the message of salvation and hope would have their hearts penetrated by it.  

El Ancla church plant continues to be active in the unchurched El Mirador neighborhood.  Weekly Life Groups meet to study how the Bible applies to our everyday lives.  Connection activities will begin during the next month.  They will be offering music classes to kids and adults in the area.  They are also organizing a "Movie in the Park" night for the community.  All of these activities are being done to make connections with people in the community and raise awareness of the new church plant.

The anniversary celebration for La Viña in May will also serve as a Multiplication Party for the launch team of El Ancla.  We will celebrate together God's faithfulness in the preparation for this project and bless and send those El Ancla members who have been part of La Viña.  The church plant still needs funds to make the vision of impacting El Mirador a reality.  Your financial partnership helps make life transformation possible!  

Please pray for Lead Planter Andrés and his wife Bitia as well as Misael and Dennise who are part of the staff team.  Ask God to continue to orchestrate providential connections in the neighborhood.  Pray that God would show you how you can reach people in El Mirador through investing in the El Ancla church plant.  

Give to EL Ancla Church Plant