Mexico Church Plant Update

First Baptist Church Tulsa, we are pleased to let you know that by the time you read this latest field report, construction should be close to completion at your church plant in Santo Domingo, Mexico. As long as the weather cooperates, the staff at Iglesia Bautista Bethel Santo Domingo expect to put the finishing touches on the church building and move to the next phase of ministering to the children and the community. Thank you for your prayerful support!

Construction Progress

The advances in the past two months have been significant:

Placement of classroom windows has begun
Classrooms are being painted
Placement of the ceramic floor has begun in the sanctuary

Church Activities

Currently, 26 adults and 160 children attend the church regularly.

The pastor continues with his normal activities of leading worship services and prayer in the small, temporary space being used for church services.

The pastor’s involvement has been crucial in the construction process and he is striving to ensure the project is finished by the agreed-upon deadline. Church members say he is a good leader as he has committed himself to the construction work and to leading the flock.

Members of the community have been surprised by the church’s work. They have high hopes for the project so the children no longer suffer from cold, heat and rain in the temporary space where they have activities. The parents of the children say this church is beyond what they dreamed of, and they are grateful for all the effort that is being made to finish the classrooms.

: View of multiple aspects of the construction

Challenges Encountered

Many challenges have arisen during construction. Heavy rain in the area sometimes prevents construction progress. There have also been fevers, flu, cough and sometimes dengue because of mosquitoes. To offset the effects of inclement weather and mosquito bites, some children’s parents have opened their homes to accommodate children when the rains are heavy so they do not get wet or get sick.

Further, the church reports that the community authorities continue to provide support with the sports field so the children can enjoy outdoor sports activities. The church has learned the hardiness of the community’s children who, despite inclement weather, have not stopped attending activities because they like to be in the “school,” as they call it.

: Children’s activities in classrooms before the floors have been finished

Next Steps

At the time of this report, construction was 90% complete, and the church hopes to finish the work by the end of November.

The church intends to buy all the materials for the full completion of construction, hoping that the rain will not hinder the hauling of materials.

Testimony of Impact

“Some people said the construction was never going to be done. But, as the community saw the progress in the construction process, more children began to go to the program and asked church members to enroll them – of course with the authorization of the parents.

“I think this has been a good example of progress as a church, and we want to reach the neediest.”

– Testimony of a registered child’s parent

: Interior view of the sanctuary

Praises and Prayer Requests

Leaders of the church thank you for the great effort you made in investing your love and passion to this Baptist church in the community of Unión Juárez, because without your support it would not be possible for them.

They pray for God’s blessings on you. As a church, they are praying for each of the donors and sponsors who love this children’s ministry.

The church requests the following: