Thrive Community Church, with gratitude and excitement we are honored to present this closeout report on your successful church plant and child development center launch. Thank you for your unwavering support as this project experienced pandemic-related delays even as the construction phase was wrapping up. As you will see, health precautions remain in place but the church continues to minister and serve. When the time comes that the new facility can be used to its full potential, we are confident that it will light up with activity – all to the glory of God. May He bless the work at Thrive Community Church and at Iglesia Cristiana Jesús El Nazareno!
Construction Review
Here is a recap of the construction process:
- Planning and preparation began in November 2018.
- Skilled and non-skilled laborers were hired by May 2019.
- Construction Phase 1 – foundations and structure – was finished by September 2019, which was also the month that the property deed was finalized.
- The last of the building-material purchases took place in February 2019, and Phase 2 of construction – installations and finishing – were completed by April 2020.
- Even with construction delays, the church staff and construction crew were able to finish the work with the full use funds provided through Thrive and Compassion and supplemented by local contributions. Some church members helped by donating construction materials and, through fundraisers, the church paid for labor, local outreach efforts and food for workers.
Challenges
- Construction permits were delayed due to changes in local leadership, but after several meetings, the permits were finally issued.
- Early in the process of preparing the land, adverse winter weather made unpaved roads impassable for dump trucks. This prevented entry to the property and halted work for a time.
- The extension of the construction phase was its own challenge because of the likelihood of having to pay the construction crew for the additional time, but parents of beneficiary children and other church and community members provided the extra labor.
Lessons Learned
The church leaders said they learned a lot during this process, including:
- Trusting in God in every circumstance and asking him to help in the midst of difficulties.
- Patience and waiting for God’s timing.
- Valuable lessons in construction and business operations.
Child Development Center Launch
The general objective was construction, implementation and operation of the facilities at Jesús el Nazareno church and establishment of a Compassion child development center to serve the beneficiary children and their families. That objective has been fully accomplished.
Three specific objectives were achieved:
- Beneficiary participation in Compassion International’s program activities through the child development center.
Indicator of success: Within three years, at least 80% of sponsored children will actively participate in the church’s child ministry. Beneficiaries have been excited about the construction, and church leaders anticipate all of them participating as soon as it is possible to meet. Prior to the onset of the pandemic, they engaged enthusiastically, thus the church considers this objective accomplished. Even with the pandemic, at least 40% of the sponsored children participate actively in the children’s ministry, and the church is confident it will reach this benchmark in the coming years. - All children and their families benefit from Bible-based activities carried out by the church.
Indicator of success: By the end of 2020, 50% of families of sponsored children will have someone who chooses to make a first-time profession of faith in Christ. This indicator has been achieved. - All participants now have an adequate place to worship, praise and learn the Word of God in a place that can truly attract and serve the community.
Indicator of success: Welcoming beneficiary families into full participation with the church such that, over the next three years, 80% of families engage in ministry. At this point, 30% of the beneficiaries’ families participate in at least one ministry. This gives the church leaders confidence that they will accomplish this indicator in the following years.
Q&A With a Beneficiary:
Jossenid has lived in the community for 10 years. She lives with her mother Jennifer. Here are her thoughts about the project you supported:
What was your life like before this project began?
Our family makes its living from agriculture, and in the countryside there is not much else available to us, so we didn’t have a place to learn about God.
How has your life changed now that this project is complete?
We are very happy because we have a building for us to learn about Jesus, about the fear of the Lord, and about respect to our parents. We would like to know more about good habits.
What would you like to say to those who provided the financial support for this effort?
Thank you very much to all the people who have put their hearts on us. Thank you for praying for us. May God bless you very much. We are very grateful for all that you have done. Going forward, please don’t forget us.
The Impact of Your Support
Impact on the church
The presence of the church in the community has been a great blessing. As work on the building took place, the leaders of the church were busy sharing the gospel. They attracted a large group of faithful people to attend church, and many family members have made first-time confessions of faith. This has helped the church achieve its vision of extending the kingdom of God. They are achieving this because the church now has a presence throughout the province of Esmeraldas.
Impact on child development
Another significant achievement has been working with parents and the community on the issue of child protection. This is not only being done for registered children but also for other children in the community, and the church is now known as an advocate for the care of children.
Impact on beneficiaries
The families of the community say they are happy to see the construction even though the pandemic has meant that they have not yet been able to participate in activities there. Parents and children look forward to resuming activities soon.
Q&A With the Pastor
Pastor Israel has served the church for 15 years and shared his excitement for the completion of this church planting project.
How have the lives of the affected beneficiaries been changed since the project’s completion?
In a positive way because they have their own infrastructure where they will be able to receive teachings.
They are very happy because in this place, nobody had thought about the wellness of the children. They feel loved and are beginning to have confidence with the church personnel. We realize that’s a lot of responsibility because God has entrusted us to care for the children of the sector.
How has this project benefited the church and community?
The parents of the community have more confidence with the staff of the church. We have strengthened the friendship with the community. They come to us for advice and prayer.
What would you like to say to those who provided the financial support for this work?
We have been praying to help us extend the Kingdom of God in our Esmeraldas province. We haven’t had the necessary resources at church, but we have the desire and the staff to go out and preach the word.
Now that we are in this place, our desire is that the community knows the true love of God and salvation for their lives. We are very happy because God has touched your lives and you have helped us to preach the word in these places which need God.
May God bless your lives. Thank you for letting yourself be touched by the Lord and help families in extreme poverty. Please continue blessing many children and their families who need it so much.