Last week another team partnered with ENLACE to construct a home in San Jose El Naranjo. This year we hope to build ten homes, benefiting some of the most vulnerable families in the communities. With each home there is a sense of accomplishment, a visible structure that represents the active service of the local Jerusalem church. Yet, with each house I find myself asking whether or not we are truly helping to transform this community through the gospel. Some of the families that received houses last year are still struggling in their lives. Some still have alcoholic fathers, some have rebellious children, and others abusive relationships among family members. Many attend church, and proclaim Christ as their savior. They have the lingo down, but a question still haunts me, “What does transformation in Christ look like in a community like San Jose?”
jerusalem church

Growing up in church I was indoctrinated that its role was purely spiritual in nature. Because all problems in life ultimately stemmed from sin, it was the church’s roll to save people from sin, teach them about God, and then hold services to continually remind them that they are Christians. The majority, if not all, of resources, time, and effort were spent on getting people to come to church services or events, where ultimately we assumed that people encountered God. Services were crafted to attract people by solid music, teaching, comfortable chairs, and good air conditioning. Service to the community was done occasionally but often included some sort of campaign to get people to the services. People were expected to build relationships on their own time, but priority was always placed on church attendance.

food to a familyThis model of ministry has seemingly taken root in other countries, as I’ve experienced it in El Salvador. During last week’s mission trip, we took food to a needy family and spent time getting to know them and praying with them. While leaving we began talking to the teenage son, who had stayed away from us during most of our visit. His mother plainly told us that he was not a Christian, and that he had a hard heart. Embarrassed, I’m sure, he plainly told us that he did not yet want to invite Jesus into his heart. Some from the U.S. church pressed him a bit, imploring him to receive Christ. He responded that He believed in God, believed that Jesus was real, but was not yet willing to give up his music and come to Church. I was amazed. Here this kid acknowledged Christ, had a very humble attitude, but associated Christianity with rigid church attendance and letting go of his favorite music. I could identify with him, struggling often throughout my life to fit the mold of church attendance. I bet we even shared similar tastes in music. I was saddened that the church had seemingly built barriers to salvation, even here in San Jose.

We made our way to various homes, bringing food, and praying for people in the community. Every home had at least one family member who was experiencing a severe physical ailment. Without the money to find treatment, even the slightest injury had turned into a major medical condition. One lady we met had broken her hand a month ago, but because she lacked care it had swollen so badly it was non functional. We prayed for her hand, asked God for healing, and then spent time learning about her life. Her husband was an atheist, and it appeared likely that he was abusive. She appeared so feeble, utterly downtrodden. She appreciated the food we brought, and gladly prayed with us to receive the Lord. She was happy we had come, but I did not see a change in her countenance that demonstrated any real hope that life was about to change for the better. It hit me how daunting a task ministry is. Had our visit been a one time shot, most likely it may become simply a faint memory to this lady. However, as we left her home, I was encouraged knowing that she was on the radar screen of the Jerusalem church. This visit was not an event, but rather a part of the ongoing ministry of the church.
prayer during a home visit

Throughout the week, I looked for signs of transformation in the community. I wanted to see progress. Sure, there were fifteen new homes since last year, a new water system, a renovated park, and full church services. But, were people coming into a closer relationship with Christ, and ultimately loving each other? Here is what I saw. A pastor who knew the first names of the mission team members who returned from last year…members from the local church working on the construction of neighbors’ home…youth serving happily by setting up the sound system for all the VBS activities...women cooking 1,000 papusas to serve 500 kids and parents from the community…the pastor’s sons welding the community swing set back together…women healed of ailments after receiving prayer by mission team members…a park full of people listening openly to the gospel presentation…kids laughing and playing marbles together…the most needy in the community receiving care from the local church…and a pastor’s family who exude the love of Christ in all they do. There were signs.

As I continue to serve with ENLACE, I feel that God is continually teaching me about His body, His heart for the Church. Although important, church services seem to fall so short of being the sole instrument of ministry in a community. Often, they can even create barriers to the gospel with rigid demands and particular traditions that alienate certain people unwilling to conform. Instead, I’ve experienced the power of service, the authenticity of building lasting relationships, and the authority that comes by simply listening to God and responding to His direction. God’s idea of “church” seems to be the creation of a people who are willing to respond to His love by truly loving others, especially the hardest to love. Ministry then is not performance, but rather the strenuous, often dirty work of building relationships with the people God desires us to. His Word is so clear that the main indicator of our love for Him is that we love those most unloved by society. Authentic love cannot be demonstrated by sporadic acts of charity. Rather, God is calling us all, including the people living in San Jose El Naranjo, to embrace the inconvenience required to build the relationships necessary for Him to minister to this World.

healing handsI was again encouraged by the team that came from the U.S. last week. I was encouraged because with each team, I see God building His kingdom. He is challenging us all to leave our agendas behind, so that we can embrace the call to follow Him. For those who he has called to El Salvador, it can often be a daunting task. Yet, Christ laid down an example for us to follow, and continues to guide us, love us, and encourage us daily if we will only trust Him completely. He wants to restore the people of the World to Himself, and He wants to use us to do it one relationship at a time.