
Greetings, Redeemer Church! Thank you for your faithful support of church planting in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. The church you planted, Filadelfia Baptist Church, is now fully built and ready for use! Currently, 175 children and 40 adults are coming to know the love of Christ because of your generous gift.
In the photo above, a church leader named Wilma leads children in the community through an evangelism activity.
Implementation Progress
Throughout the implementation process, the following steps were completed:
- The first and second floors of the church were built.
- Classroom roofs and doors were installed.
- Construction workers added a roof over the church sanctuary.
- A fence was built around the church property to keep children safe.
- Construction of bathrooms was completed, and plumbing was installed.
- Pastor Manuel led evangelism activities that reached children, adolescents and adults.
- A church opening ceremony was held to celebrate the new church facilities.
Church staff and construction workers faced financial challenges during the pandemic. The community held garage sales and sold baked goods to raise the necessary local resources.
- Caregivers and their children praise God for the church facilities during a church service.
Impact of the Intervention
The new church facilities include a sanctuary, kitchen, bathrooms with showers and sinks, four classrooms and an office. Currently, 25 children are enrolled in child development activities, and 175 children participate in Children’s Bible Club.
This intervention has provided children and families with a safe space to gather and learn more about God. Children have access to education, nutritional assistance, school support, skill-building workshops and spiritual development opportunities. Over 40 adults and caregivers are also being exposed to the gospel and enjoy participating in church meetings and activities.
This intervention has caused many people in the community to give thanks for the church. They are grateful the church is helping their children without expecting anything in return. They believe their children will have greater opportunities in life and will build good habits because of the work the church is doing in their lives.
The church has also engaged in evangelism efforts. Church leaders praise God that six adults and three children have recently accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
A Testimony From Pastor Manuel
“The lives of our participants are being impacted in such a way that their families desire to learn more about Jesus. Children arrive at the church with joy on their faces, and they share gifts like bread or fruit with the church leaders. The new church facilities protect children and their families from rain during cold seasons, and families are willing to travel to the church, knowing that they can enjoy comfortable infrastructure when they get there. I am grateful to God for allowing the fulfillment of this dream. It is an answer to our prayers! Thanks to your support, we can improve the lives of many participants.”
A Testimony From Victoria, a Participant
“Before this intervention, doing my homework was very difficult because though my mom wanted to help me, she couldn’t because she had other things to do. Now that the church is near my home, I can go to school there and church staff teach me many things. I learn beautiful stories of Jesus’ love for me and my family, I enjoy singing and playing fun games with all my friends, and I get to draw and paint while learning Bible verses. My family is also happier after starting to attend church. They talk with Pastor Manuel regularly, and he teaches them how God cares for us. My mom and dad don’t argue as much anymore. I have learned that I don’t have to be an adult to share God’s love with my friends, parents and siblings. I also understand that God sent his son, Jesus to save me and the whole world because he loves us so much. I thank God that he has allowed a church to be planted in my neighborhood.”
Thank You for Your Support
Thank you for partnering with Compassion International to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. The support you have provided will impact children for years to come. May God bless you abundantly!