On Sunday, February 7, 2021, the Costa Rica Central District celebrated the organization of the Church of the Nazarene Sublime Gracia at the Radisson Hotel although they have no physical building.
The new congregation has 90 members, 60 of whom were received as members during the celebration of its organization.
The pastor and founder of the church, Elimelec Juantá said that the church is “Urban-Organic” – urban because it has the focus of reaching people in the city center where an increasing number of people live including foreigners, and organic because the congregation does not have its own building. From its beginnings they have been meeting in various formats including virtually.
Pastor Juantá said this church was born within his heart that that of his family many years ago. On many afternoons they met with Nazarene friends and pastors Sharon, Mario, and their daughter Valeria Vargas, to listen to music and talk. There they began to dream of beginning an urban-organic ministry to preach the word of God. “We knew that God had put this challenge on our hearts,” said Pastor Juantá.
Thus, on February 5, 2017, the preaching point Sublime Gracia opened its doors in the Radisson Hotel in San José. They welcomed 19 people in their first worship service.
“The dual format of the worship services, both in-person and virtual services, made it possible during the pandemic to continue together discipling and receiving new brothers and sisters in faith,” said Pastor Juantá. He added, “Not having our own building, the congregation has understood that our lives as believers is 24 hours a day wherever we are, and the worship services via Zoom have been key in the achievement of this dual format for the church.”
Currently the congregation holds three virtual services and have other small group meetings in homes on different days and times according to need. Also they have an in-person worship service each month where all come together to celebrate baptisms, the receiving of new members, and communion.
“God has ALWAYS been faithful. My wife, Crhis Mesén, my children Caleb and Isabela, and other relatives have actively participated from the beginning together with the extended Sublime Gracia family. His faithfulness has been demonstrated in everything, mainly in new believers,” said Pastor Juantá.
He also said that they now have a goal to launch another church as quickly as possible as “a church produces another church.”
“We are grateful for our district superintendent, Sirlene Bustos and leaders of the Global Nazarene Church for their partnership, prayer, care, and help during this time,” Pastor Juantá added.
Source: Elimelec Juantá, pastor and founder of Church of the Nazarene Sublime Gracia.
