CRM - Empowering Leaders
What We're Doing
We are in the process of forming house churches in the barrios that are living a gospel of peace and reconciliation in the midst of conflict and violence. In an environment of fear and death, where life is fragile and the spirit world evident, we are giving birth to Christian communities that shine as beacons of life and hope which also minister deliverance and healing as the Holy Spirit empowers.
In a church environment where the unchurched are not attracted to religious services and Christians are "salt of the temple" more than salt of the earth, we are (1) experimenting with an organic structure for doing church, (2) pursuing a fresh move of the Holy Spirit, (3) modeling a scandalous and risky gospel, (4) teaching freedom from line-drawing religion and (5) utilizing relational and dialogical methods in evangelism, discipleship and training that integrate faith with life.
Each of the five aspects that we're living out in micro as a team and house church represents a macro movement that we are praying for and working toward as our vision for seeing God's people fulfill their destiny as instruments of seeing God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
The starting point in the formation house churches may be an ESL class, a kids club, sports, or just hanging out on the street. These kinds of "love your neighbor" activities authenticate the gospel and help us find persons of peace who open the door to an exploratory bible study in their home. We currently work in three barrio areas of Caricuao (the southwest district of Caracas): San Pablito, La Montanita/Pedro Camejo, and Sucre.
Ministry in the Barrios – San Pablito
San Pablito is the oldest barrio in Caricuao. It is notorious for youth delinquency, murder, muggings, robbery and drugs. Residents have lived resigned to this reality; steeped in despair. Many churches have done evangelistic campaigns – quick, “in and out” affairs. But only a scant number of believers have made serious efforts to invest in the establishing of God’s kingdom in San Pablito. We don’t have any InnerCHANGE missionaries yet living in the community. After a year of walking up the hill into San Pablito every Monday to visit homes, pray for the sick, and meet with children, a woman named María declared: “I want to be like you guys!” This was the beginning of the house church in María’s home.
Story: Family Feud Holds San Pablito Captive
Ministry in the Barrios – La Montañita/Pedro Camejo
La Montañita / Pedro Camejo have seen an outbreak of crime and violence in recent years that has left many families traumatized and resentful. The challenges we face in this community are great. Yet in the midst of this troubled time, one of the small groups that has explored scripture with us has the vision of starting a day-care center.
This same small group is taking shape as a little church in their community, under the leadership of a local couple named Gonzalo and Luisa, a couple that we’ve been mentoring for several years. The Lord is using them as a refuge of hope and healing for many struggling families.
Story: Luis – More Than A Running Partner
Ministry in the Barrios - Sucre
In the barrios Sucre, where our team office was located for three years, we offered and English class in 2004. On the last day of class, which was a big party, we invited those interested in receiving a bible study in their home to approach us the next week. This marked the start of another house church.
Story: Jose, a demon possessed man
Story: Elizabeth Steps Out
Story: Surprise Party!
Partnering with Churches
Working with local Venezuelan churches and other Christian ministries is important to us. We currently have a significant relationship with four congregations, three of which are in the barrios where we live and work. Those four churches represent an ecumenical array of affiliations including the Free Methodist Church, the Pentecostal church, The Vineyard Christian Fellowship, and our local Catholic parish.
From these churches, our focus is to meet with the pastors and encourage the congregation in various ways. For instance, John and Birgit, the team leaders, meet regularly with the pastors and their spouses from two of these local churches for personal care and mutual support.
We have a partnership with Operación Timoteo (Operation Timothy), a Venezuelan missionary order, as a way to help in the preparation of Venezuelans in mission.