Serving The Saints In Costa Rica
An update from Mark Prater, Executive Director of Sovereign Grace Churches…
Joselo Mercado, Bob Donohue and I traveled to San Jose, Costa Rica where we participated in the Por Su Gracia Conference, February 21-22. The conference was organized by a group of pastors in Costa Rica who are working together to remain faithful to the true gospel in a country where the prosperity gospel is pervasive. These men share many of our theological distinctives that we share in Sovereign Grace. It was humbling to serve them, and the members of their churches, who are fighting for the genuine gospel in Costa Rica. One of those men is Allan Monge, Lead Pastor of Gracia Soberana in Cartago, Costa Rica whose church is a part of Sovereign Grace. Allan is a faithful pastor and it is our hope that our time with him, and the 20 members of his church that he brought with him to the conference strengthened the gospel partnership we share.
Approximately 400 people attended the Por Su Gracia Conference. One man I met had taken a 10 hour bus ride from Nicaragua just to hear gospel-centered expository preaching. Joselo taught 4 times effectively, preaching sermons like, “The Gospel and the Word of God,” “The Functional Centrality of the Gospel,” and “The Gospel and the Family.” I had the privilege of preaching twice; “The Gospel and the Favor of God,” and “The Gospel and Dependence on the Holy Spirit.”
Joselo, Bob and I also participated on several panels that covered topics like “suffering,” and “trusting God.” The feedback we received was encouraging and humbling. It’s our prayer that this conference strengthens our brother’s and sister’s in Costa Rica as they fight for the genuine gospel.
On Sunday, February 23, Joselo preached at Gracia Soberana in Cartago where he served Allan and his church looking to strengthen their partnership with Sovereign Grace. Bob Donohue and I spoke at different churches, both of which have interest in exploring a partnership with our family of churches. Bob spoke at a church in Playa Azul, led by Eduardo Sandoval, the man who led the conference. I spoke at La Vina Escazu in San Jose, which is led by Rodrigo Fournier. They share many of our theological convictions and it was a joy to worship with a group of saints that clearly love Jesus. One next step is to follow-up with the pastors who lead these churches to talk about what exploring a partnership with Sovereign Grace looks like.
The Christians in Costa Rica are wonderful followers of Jesus Christ. Please pray for them and their churches as they fight on to see the genuine gospel protected and proclaimed in their country.
