Updates
This didn’t get posted on my prior site, and here I’ll limit myself to just some very basic information and impressions. The meetings with the Christian Reformed churches about the Word and Deed Project were somewhat rocky. The leaders decided to put things on hold for re-evaluation, but thankfully the “hold” was lifted shortly and the ministries are ongoing, although for various reasons somewhat scaled back.
Very interesting was a full morning meeting with some 15 persons who responded to an open invitation called “Reformados Presentes.” This was intended to be an opportunity for making or renewing acquaintances, conversation, and exploration of future hopes and expectations for a “reformed presence” in El Salvador. (Unfortunately, an agreed upon meeting a month later did not happen; this is part of the reason for my trip planned now for October – it seems that they respond better to an invitation from me than among themselves. It would take a lot of explanation – some of it is tucked into the other web pages – to understand the lack of fellowship and trust among the various leaders. Please pray that in an Oct. 16 meeting some of this fear and mistrust be allayed and overcome.)
A weekend side trip to visit the Nehemiah Center in Managua, Nicaragua was very informative. Nine international and six national “NGOs” (non-profits) share an impressive compound building. They all have in common a desire to serve a broad spectrum of evangelical and pentecostal churches in the country, each contributing its specialty. Missionary Joel Huyser was my host.
Updates
If you already read below, you see that I made a visit to El Salvador in March; over these intervening months I’ve been in frequent contact about the project with the leaders in El Salvador. They sent me a final copy of the Evangelism/ Discipleship – Diaconal/Development plan, with a proposed budget of $15,850; on the basis of that we came to an understanding of cooperation. That involves along with some program costs, a half-time salary for the first year for Alba Lopez, longtime former national CRWRC worker in El Salvador. She began in August, and initial reports from her are very positive. Speaking by phone recently with her she was very encouraged. That Sunday she had had a session on “values” with the Huizucar church; they want to make those biblical, and sound developmental ones.
I have received some good reports of growth in the rural Huizucar church as they already implemented some aspects of this on their own, in conjunction with other trainings and local visions that they have. In Santa Tecla, Pastor Carlos wants to integrate this with a new (for them and the country) Bible League initiative for evangelism. So this is a good time to continue alongside the El Salvador CRC in its ministry efforts.
I wonder what the church will do for Reformation Day; they don’t want to be “just another evangelical church” although they struggle with seeing the growth in the pentecostal churches and wonder if they should imitate more their aproach. I encourage them to persevere in trying to contextualize the reformed faith, to let it make the contribution that it can to the tremendous needs of a society in turmoil and an economy that leaves many behind.
Once again, I ask for your supportive encouragement if you are willing to make a contribution to this effort. Pray for the members, the leaders, and these new initiatives.
Que Dios le bendiga (may God bless you)
Updates
THE COUNTRY / GOVERNMENT
Yesterday Mauricio Funes was sworn in, along with his Cabinet, as President for the next five years. His inaugural speech was wide sweeping, ambitious, and challenging to all sectors. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was in the audience and immediately after hearing Funes say that all relations between El Salvador and Cuba would be renewed, was also assured that every effort will be made to build on the good relations with the United States. The speech pointed to significant shifts in focus and efforts to turn the country in a different direction; from my standpoint, the mention of faith, hope, ethics, and values were important touchstones. Much prayer and goodwill is needed for this country that has a significant part of its population living in the United States, and seemingly intractable problems at home. This is an historic shift in El Salvador.
THE E.S CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCHES:
Just now at the end of May I formally received what is the final edition of the agreement that has been arrived at for a Word and Deed Project
which I for more than a year have been promoting and even raising funding for! It consists of a double two-dimensional effort: Evangelism / Discipleship coupled with Diaconal / Development. This is meant to be a holistic (integral) witness for the Christian Reformed Church, to produce growth and service presence in the two communities of Santa Tecla and Huizucar.
The objection to having a salaried person (mentioned below) was withdrawn. Former longtime CRWRC employee Alba Lopez will be employed on a half-time basis to help accompany this project, in everything from encouragement to training to monitoring. A third of the needed funds are for her salary; the rest will go into trainings, materials, and program expenses. The churches are making a commitment to raise a part of the needed $15,850 for the first year.
ANOTHER INTERESTING DIMENSION
Sparked by the approach of the Reformed Calvinist Church to me, for help in renewing relations with the CRCNA, I made something of a prior counter-proposal: could the two El Salvador reformed churches begin a conversation looking toward reconciliation and reuniting?! That letter has not had any formal response as of yet; please make this a matter for prayer.
Part of the thinking behind this initiative, besides the smallness of each group, is the fact that next year two significant reformed bodies will be joining in one. The Reformed Calvinist church (six small congregations) already is a member of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches; my hope is that the two will retake the name of either the Christian Reformed or simply Reformed Church of El Salvador and become a charter member of the emerging World Reformed Communion. That happens in Grand Rapids, Michigan D.V. in June 2010. (Update mid-2012: no formal movement on this but there is occasional informal contact between leaders.)
