The Zimatlan Church of the Nazarene Center of Praise and Proclamation (CAP), on September 1st, celebrated 15 years of making Christ-like disciples. At the celebration, Rev. Óscar Medina Guzmán, who serves as District Superintendent in Peru, was invited to share the Word of the Lord. He encouraged the church to move forward in fulfilling the call of the Lord.

The church, which was formed in a small house in Zimatlan de Álvarez, in Oaxaca, Mexico, is now a congregation of 500 members who meet during two worship celebrations on Sundays.

For 15 years the church has served its community with different projects, but the following stand out: Free basic health and wellness services, where they offer workshops for hairdressing services, general medical and dental consultations. In addition, environmental reforestation, where together with the local municipalities and the youth of the church, they advanced reforestation of a few strategic areas of the community.

Currently the church is serving its community through a Personalized Advisory Center, where a group of professionals and specialists in different areas give academic support to children and youth of primary through university levels, at no cost.

The first three months of the church were guided by pastor Alberto Joaquín Zacarías, but for health reasons he had to step aside; that was when Pastor Juan de Dios and his wife Adela González, mission pastors of the Center for Praise and Proclamation (CAP) were sent by the Rev. Elías Betanzos, District Superintendent of the Oaxaca [Nororiente] District.

“The challenge is that it could be extended to be a church of 1000 members; for this we will continue working with the principles learned in the CAP … We believe that God will support us and that, in Zimatlan Oaxaca, the name of Christ will continue to be proclaimed and exalted.

All the glory and honor for these 15 years goes to God for his Zimatlan CAP Church! ”

Source: Pastor Josué Barrera and Pastor Juan de Dios González