Playing Our Part In Costa Rica
An update from Bob Wright., member of Covenant Fellowship Church, Glenn Mills, USA…
Sovereign Grace Churches (SGC) is not unique in bringing the gospel to Costa Rica. It arrived long ago. The Holy Spirit, though, is drawing together gospel-centered church leaders and their members to magnify their impact upon the people of Costa Rica. In keeping with what God is already doing, SGC has been invited to assist particular churches that have been desiring greater fidelity to scripture in their preaching and practice. First one church, then two, and now five churches are seeking SGC adoption, with the support of their congregations.
The annual Por Su Gracia Conference serves those Pastors, along with so many others, and met on March 1 and 2 in Barva de Heredia, a suburb of San Jose, Costa Rica. The 275 attendees were from 15 different Costa Rican churches, with 12 different leadership teams represented. SGC pastors Joselo Mercado and Bob Donohue were the featured speakers, as well as Eduardo “Chespi” Sandoval and Juan Jose Solano who are engaged in the SGC ordination process.
The conference theme was Vivir Bajo La Suficiencia de la Escritura. Esteban Rojas, pastor of Iglesia Gracia y Verdad led worship with gifted singers and musicians from attending churches. Sovereign Grace Music is greatly appreciated among these churches as the songs helped bring the Conference toward adoration of the Lord and an awareness of His presence.
Each teaching expanded upon this theme – that we can have absolute confidence that the word of God is sufficient. It protects; it purifies; it points us to our Lord’s glorious grace and will sustain us until we go home to be with the Lord. Helping us in our worship, discipleship, holiness, parenting, church leadership, reaching the lost, and above all, to love and long for Jesus – the word made flesh.
As is their practice, Joselo and Bob Donohue hosted pastoral teams and their spouses for meals at every opportunity to encourage fellowship, burden sharing, and growth in relationships. These are intimate times with mutual respect and affection freely expressed. My friends in leadership at Casa 242 and Iglesia Biblica de Playa Azul were among those who benefited from these times of fellowship and food.
A book table provided conference attendees with gospel-centered resources; Alan Monge and his family from Soberana Gracia Cartago served in that capacity. The Director of Hispanic Initiatives at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary was also in attendance at the conference. Joselo brought Irma and Luis Lebron to the conference from his home church in Gaithersburg, Maryland – Iglesia Gracia Soberana. Like me, they were excited to see how our Lord is using Joselo and Bob Donohue as representatives of local SGC churches to expand the reach of the gospel internationally. Already active at their home church, they were inspired to grow in their support of this work globally.
I was personally impacted by the devotion of my new friend Nayib Bukele. Nayib graciously adopted me for three days as we visited Casa 242 in Escazu and his own church, Iglesia La Gracia in San Pedro, San Jose. I was consistently greeted with affection at these churches and felt the care that these members have for one another and their leaders. Spirit filled worship, faith driven prayer and gospel centered teaching were found here.
The Sunday meeting at Iglesia La Gracia was a momentous one for the congregation as Pastor Juan Jose Solano shared the biblical basis for church planting missions, and his proposal to move to Lebanon in 2025 with his family to impact the Muslim community. His other elders and the church are praying for God’s confirmation and provision for this very large undertaking for a relatively small church.
After church we enjoyed a feast at Nayib’s hillside home which has a magnificent view of San Jose. Irma and Luis Lebron were there as well as the team of elders from Iglesia La Gracia and their families. Nayib’s hospitality is overwhelming, fueled by his gratitude to God for all of His many blessings.
It is a privilege to witness what God is doing as we pray: Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Please pray for God’s continued grace among these churches and their leaders.
