The Costa Rica North District purchased a property for the recently organized Church of the Nazarene in Filadelfia de Guanacaste, Costa Rica, thanks to a recent partnership with the South Florida District.
The property, which measures 110 meters long by 50 meters wide (nearly 1.5 acres), is where the congregation has met since the church’s beginning.
“The purchase is a miracle and the answer to many prayers,” said Bruce Wilson, Costa Rica Work & Witness coordinator.
Álvaro Arroyo, the pastor of the Church of the Nazarene in Liberia, Costa Rica, which is the sending church of Filadelphia, received the property because the owner accepted an offer for half of its total value.
Due to this opportunity and the support of the Mesoamerican Region through an Alabaster offering, construction on the sanctuary began in September. The building will allow the church to help serve the communities of Filadelfia and Belén, as well as other nearby communities.
The Costa Rica North District and the pastor of the new church, Jimmy Flores, and his wife, María García, have big plans for the property. They would like the campus to include a multipurpose building to host meetings of the church as well as community events, a parsonage, a chapel for outside small group events and meetings, and a cafeteria that will be open to the public during the week.
The partnership was created by Bruce Wilson and Florida South District Superintendent Brian Wilson. In addition, pastors Stephen Rhoades of Fort Myers Anthem Church of the Nazarene and Chuck Russ of Lake Worth Church of the Nazarene were involved in the agreement.
Bruce Wilson said Florida leaders came to Costa Rica in August to meet with pastors and leaders and learn about their vision to reach their communities with the gospel. They also wanted to know about the different ministries and churches in the area. After the visit, they returned to Florida excited to share their experience with their congregations and prepared to start the project.
“We ask your prayers for this project and [for the] churches to be able to face the challenge that God has placed in their hearts. To God be the glory!” Bruce said.
