On Saturday, August 31, the Called to Disruption 2024 conference was held in Costa Rica, an event organized by the Nazarene Seminary of the Americas. It brought together over 180 leaders and pastors from Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Peru, and other countries to reflect on the importance of updating the church’s mission in the contemporary world. With the theme “Disruption,” the conference aimed to encourage participants to rethink outreach and ministry strategies without compromising the essential message of the gospel.
“These conferences led me to reflect on how we have been approaching ministry and evangelism. On many occasions, we have fallen into rigid and traditional patterns. Although well-intentioned, these patterns can limit the impact of the gospel’s message in our society,” said Chris Mesén González from Sublime Grace Church of the Nazarene in San José, Costa Rica.
The concept of disruption, inspired by General Superintendent Emeritus Dr. Jerry Porter, emphasizes that while the church’s message remains sacred and unchanging, the methods and ways of reaching people can and should change. This year, the event focused on the importance of reviewing evangelism, discipleship, and ministry strategies to adapt them to the needs and challenges of 2024. The call was to “break the molds” of traditional practices and revitalize those that can still make an impact in a constantly changing world.
The day began at 7 a.m. with attendee registration. Afterward, participants enjoyed breakfast before heading to the opening devotional in the auditorium, led by Dr. Mónica Mastronardi de Fernández, which set the spiritual tone for the day. Throughout the day, attendees could choose from a wide variety of workshops organized into four blocks. The topics ranged from the use of digital tools in the church to addressing migration crises and mental health care.
One of the workshops, for example, was titled “I Can’t Take It Anymore,” led by specialist Miguel Leitón. It addressed the crucial topic of mental health and suicide prevention. Elsewhere, the workshop “Migrating Hopes,” led by Pastor Elimelec Juantá, raised awareness among participants about the migration crisis and the role of the church in supporting migrants.
Other workshops included “With Eyes Wide Open,” which addressed the scourge of human trafficking, and “From Brokenness to Resilience,” focused on rebuilding families after divorce. “Different but Equal” dealt with issues of inclusion in the church for people with disabilities, while “Creative Evangelism” inspired participants to think of new methods to reach young people. These and other workshops were quite meaningful.
“These conferences equipped me with a new perspective and a renewed passion to see the church as a place of innovation and creativity, where every leader and member should be motivated to think outside the box and be an agent of change in their community,” said Mesén.
The event concluded with a closing service featuring an inspiring message from the institution’s president, Dr. Rubén Fernández. The focus was on praying and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that the churches in the region may be revitalized and transformed.
Called to Disruption 2024 was not only a learning event but also a space for transformation where church leaders deeply reflected on how to break away from the denominational “status quo” and adopt approaches that resonate with today’s world. The conference made a significant impact on all attendees and will undoubtedly continue to inspire the church in Mesoamerica to remain relevant and disruptive in its mission to share the gospel in a constantly changing world.
Source: Reverend Andrés Fernández
