A 9-member Maximum Mission team served with the Church of the Nazarene in San Jorge de Upala, Costa Rica, Feb. 28-March 1 to share the message of the gospel in various ways.

Seven of the participants were from the Church of the Nazarene in Poás, Costa Rica, and two were members of the Church of the Nazarene in the Chicago, USA district.  They joined the church in San Jorge de Upala to do some construction and compassionate ministry, among other things.

“During this time we shared the love of God in the town where the church has been alive for a year and half,” said the pastor of the San Jorge Church of the Nazarene, Estefanía Amador Navas.

They shared a special time with children in the community focused on how much Jesus loves them. They also held a special ladies’ event, and five of the ladies who participated came to the church for the first time. The team also paved a walkway around the church.

The second work day ended with a movie and a service to express their gratitude to the Lord. Forty-five community members attended, including Rafael Romero, who said, “Thank you for the great message that you’ve come to give this community. Don’t stop.”

Ariel Gómez, the Nazarene Missions International President in the Church of the Nazarene in Poás said, “The Lord is hearing our prayers, and he is moving through our service and encourages us to continue. It is marvelous to see the movement of God in this town. It has been one of the greatest experiences God has allowed me to have.”

Sunday closed with a service of thanksgiving, and five people attended the church for the first time.

“We trust that God has left his fingerprint in the hearts of the children, youth and adults, that the church is more alive, united and holy and that it continues growing to the glory and honor of the Lord Jesus Christ,” said Pastor Estefanía.

Source: Estefanía Amador Navas, pastor of the Church of the Nazarene in San Jorge de Upala