The Family Care ministry began in the Costa Rica North District on Saturday, January 25. The regional Family Care coordinators, Miguel and Irene Garita, were in charge of the opening training.
The held two sessions: one in the sanctuary in central Liberia and the other at the Muelle church. Between these two events they covered all four zones of the district.
Each of the 14 churches were represented by the couple who will be responsible for developing the Family Care ministry in their local church.
The ministry will be developed locally through a family discipleship program. The material was written by the regional Family Care ministry following a study by a team of psychologists and pastors in the Mesoamerica Region of the Church of the Nazarene. They structured the program to address the 9 most common major areas of family conflict: domestic violence, addictions, financial problems, communication problems, parenting, physical illness, emotional illness, psychosexual issues, and infidelity. In this approach, each of these areas can be addressed and healed. It can also be used as a prevention program. The plan covers two years, and can be adapted to the schedule most convenient for a church or district. The program is currently being used in the Guatemala Central District and has had positive results.
Family discipleship can also be used in families composed of single parents and their children as well.
“We thank God for the Garitas, and for the fruitful ministry they are developing in the whole region that focuses on family care for both pastors and congregations,” said Jorge Baños, Costa Rica Ministry Coordinator. “We also thank God for this ministry, which we believe will be a great blessing to the churches in the Costa Rica North District.”
Source: Rev. Jorge Baños, Ministry Coordinator for the Church of the Nazarene in Costa Rica
