Things don’t just happen to us who love God; They’re molded and shaped, and timed by His clock. Things don’t just happen; they’re planned. (Esther Fields, 1944)
HOW FAR BACK IN YOUR LIFE can you trace the hand of God? The sovereignty of God—the secret history behind every decision, every interaction. Not an accident, but by design, not coincidence but His plan, not chance but Divine direction. “He holds in His hand not only the broad sweep of world history, but the tiniest details of our personal stories.” (Alec Motyer, Psalms by the Day)
As we begin exploring international expansion into El Salvador, it’s interesting to think about the foreknowledge of God as it relates to STCH Ministries International. In 1947, the Brown family carried the Gospel to the Dominican Republic, and a strong beachhead was established for Baptist work. During the same time period, thousands of miles away, Laura Boothe began the process of donating her land for the establishment of South Texas Children’s Home Ministries. 71 years later, those threads were connected through the descendants of the original actors in this God-directed drama!
For several years, STCH Ministries has sensed a need to share what God has enabled us to develop through International in the Dominican Republic since the beginning in 2006. Pre-Covid vision trips took us to Costa Rica, Peru and Mexico. The Covid chaos abruptly impacted those plans and we prayerfully waited and sought God’s wisdom for the future that only He could see.
In the summer of 2021, we met with Ward Hayes, Chief Financial Officer of Texas Baptists, to discuss sharing Faith & Finances training with leaders of small churches. However, Ward had heard of the STCH Ministries international work, and shared his passion for the tiny country of El Salvador, specifically for the Peniel network of churches, led by Edgar Borja, Sr. The “secret” history—God’s sovereign design for STCH Ministries in El Salvador gradually unfolded.
Prayer accompanied our research of these opportunities. El Salvador is the smallest and most densely populated Central American country. The capital city, San Salvador, is the oldest and longest-standing capital in Central America. El Salvador is bounded by Honduras to the north and east, by the Pacific Ocean to the south and by Guatemala to the northwest, making it the only Central American country that lacks a Caribbean coast.
El Salvador is largely an ethnically homogenous people. The intermarriage of Spanish settlers with the indigenous Indian population has resulted in a population that is nine-tenths mestizo, with Spanish as their universal language. Coffee, sugarcane and cotton are their major export crops, although today the service sector dominates the economy. They are also a large producer and exporter of hammocks and their most notable dish is the pupusa, a stuffed corn flatbread.
A history of Civil War, crime and violence has marked Salvadoran history for many years. In addition, the country was devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998 and by a major earthquake in 2001. In February 2019, Nayib Bukele, a Millennial who was not aligned with either of the major parties who had dominated the country since the Civil War, was elected president of El Salvador. Although he has suspended due process, according to a report by the International Crisis Group (ICG) 2020, violent crime has dropped by as much as 60 percent since Bukele became president in June 2019. Tourism is on the rise and the protection of Americans and all foreigners is a high priority for this government.
Prayer and communication began with El Peniel leadership. Their passion to reach people with the transforming power of the Gospel is expressed in Genesis 32:30 which is quoted on their website. In Spanish, it reads, “Vi a Dios cara a cara, y fue librada mi alma.” (I saw God face to face, and my soul was set free).
The Peniel ministry was first established in 1997, and they have been a self-governing, self-multiplying church for 30 years with no outside funding. Today they are a growing network of eight individual churches and two church plants located south of San Salvador, reaching to the coast. They are led by Edgar Borja, Sr. and a strong leadership team of home-grown pastors and their wives. They meet once a month and together they make decisions on strategies, budget and vision. They reach decisions through prayer, discussion and mutual agreement.
The Peniel churches’ objective is two-pronged: to set people free through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to accomplish life transformation through intentional discipleship opportunities. Their church-planting model starts with a pastor, a building, a soccer team and a school.
One of the most successful outreach methods utilizes the national obsession with soccer, where each church sponsors a soccer team.
People in the neighborhood are attracted to the soccer team but must attend church to be able to play each week. However, if in the excitement of the competition, fighting and bad language occurs, the penalty is a yellow slip and additional attendance requirements! There is no pressure or compulsion to make any additional decisions, but under the teaching from the Word of God, lives are transformed.
A second goal for each church is that every church needs to establish a Christian school. Their goal of discipleship was boldly proclaimed in a large banner that hung over the combination gym/auditorium.
2022—THE YEAR OF GROWTH IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD (Colossians 1:10). The schools have developed a reputation for excellence in their education and offer English and computer classes. Parents are incentivized to attend church by the significant discounts on school tuition which they can earn.
Since May 2022, we have made three exploratory-vision trips. The team members included our Dominican partners, Russell Jerez, Dr. Francisco Paredes and Rebeca Dinzey. Succeeding trips included Eron Green, Kyle Luke and a few selected pastors and leaders as we continued to get to know the Peniel network of churches. At one of the locations that we visited named El Riel, we observed volunteers working with picks and shovels to clear land for a church building. They had been meeting on the school grounds, but as the ministry grew, they needed a larger site. We were inspired by the testimony of Pastor Anselmo.
“I was a falling-down drunk who frequently didn’t make it home at night, and my children would find me asleep in the road and drag me home. My cousin invited me to play soccer but when he told me that I would have to attend church, I refused. Later, I reconsidered and decided I would attend one time, just to be part of the soccer team. At first, church did not impact me. But I did discover that if my wife and I attended additional services, our children would receive discounted tuition! That motivated us to begin to attend more frequently and slowly the Word of God penetrated our hearts and changed our lives and our home. I began to serve, went to school for my Bible training and now I reach others who are caught in the same hopeless circumstances.”
God touched our hearts, and over the succeeding trips, we were led to contribute funds to put up the walls, and later add the roof. They continue to work by faith to add windows and doors in God’s time. We also discovered that the greatest need of the El Riel church and school is for water, as their future growth is limited by a lack of access to this essential commodity. We invite you to pray with us in faith that God will also supply this need.
There are some distinct differences between the Dominican Republic and El Salvador. Obviously, the logistics of lodging, food and transportation are different. Since they are south of the equator, their school calendar is very different from the United States, as their “summer break” is November-January. As a result, many of our ministry activities will focus on participating with the children while in school, as well as discipleship opportunities and construction needs.
We continue to seek God’s guidance as we begin the process of stepping into this expansion gradually, adapting the mission God has given to STCH Ministries to the unique needs of the Salvadorian people and the Peniel ministries. We share a common focus on meeting the needs of children and families and the goal of life transformation through Christ. Our hope is to begin in 2023, partnering together with a few US mission teams. As of December 2022, we have begun to accept some of the children into our Samuel’s Fund sponsorship program.
One of our vision trip participants, Tony Gray, who also serves on the STCH Ministries board, responded after his trip, “It is evident that God is directing us and I am impressed by the discernment you (as leaders) show in your assessment of the countries we have an opportunity to work in. Recognizing it is not the DR, we want to grow in our ability to experience the people and the culture as much as we can. Thanks again for this opportunity you provided Heather and me to visit El Salvador, meet the people and get a feel for the amazing work God is doing there through Peniel.”
Trevin Hoekzma, pastor of Calvert Grace in Maryland, shared his impressions. “While traveling through El Salvador and visiting church plants associated with the El Peniel network of churches, I experienced a vibrant church community focused on making disciples, teaching the next generation and investing in families. Salvadorians reaching their neighbors and rural communities was a beautiful thing to witness.”
Trevin continued, “In speaking with some of the church members, I heard a desire and request for Americans to come teach English to their children and help increase the scope of the church’s outreach. We are eager and delighted to answer that request by sending a team this summer.”
Russell Jerez, from the Dominican Republic, added, “Visiting El Salvador has helped me see the wonders God is doing through the Salvadorian people in their ministry.”
We are excited about the opportunity to serve God through the Peniel network. We trust God to continue to help us plan wisely as we follow His leading. Mutually beneficial partnerships don’t just happen—they are planned in that mysterious interplay between the sovereignty of God and our own choices. We ask for your prayers in the following ways:
1. For volunteer teams
2. For financial support
3. For wisdom and God’s perfect timing.
Most of all, we desire that our vision will be renewed and energized as we celebrate what God has done and seek to transform lives through the power of the Gospel.
Homes for Families is Impacting Lives
/in Ministry Updates/by Ashley WolffJasmyne was wanting to change her life when she learned about STCH Ministries Home for Families and the opportunity it could provide for her and her children. Her goal was to completely change her life and follow Christ wherever He may lead her! She started at Homes for Families almost two months ago. Before coming here, she would fall into a deep depression at times and despair would take over. Jasmyne was constantly worried about the next big problem and carried the weight of the world on her own shoulders. When temptation came knocking at her door, she was game for whatever was being presented to her. Jasmyne didn’t understand the importance of going to church and doing what the Lord required of her from His word! After being at Homes for Families, she says she finally has peace. She’s studying God’s word which gives her hope for her future. Jasmyne is working hard to make the right decisions for herself and her precious baby boy.
Jasmyne recently went on her first home pass since arriving at Homes for Families and the opportunity presented itself to lash out and argue with family members who are where she used to be; something she has struggled with. Instead of lashing out in anger, Jasmyne was able to turn the other cheek when being provoked and baited into arguments! She loves the change she is seeing in her relationship with her baby and how he is responding to her changes. She adores her baby boy and is enjoying being around for his “firsts”. Jasmyne wants this momentum to keep going. We thank God for His continued work and the changes He’s making in people’s lives! Most often Jasmyne can be found with a joyful countenance and a testimony that she and her boy are doing well as they continue to follow the Lord’s path.
Sharing Knowledge in the Dominican Republic
/in Ministry Updates/by Joanna BerryOn the recent Baylor student Spring Break mission trip, Eron Green, STCH Ministries President/CEO, and John Weber, STCH Ministries Board Chair, joined efforts to empower families and leaders of partnering ministries. One of the most significant partnerships for STCH Ministries is with the Iglesia Bautista Quisqueyana (IBQ). On Sunday morning, Pastor Rudy devoted the entire service to a presentation on Strengthening Families by STCH Ministries Joanna Berry and Eron Green. They were assisted by a family panel of varying ages who shared their real-life examples of family life and relationships.
Some of the principles shared were the importance of unconditional love between parents and their children. As the principle of sowing and reaping was related to behavior and consequences, Eron Green reminded them that the best discipline was allowing logical consequences to apply. The panel suggested different ways to teach the Word of God at home – reading the Bible together, talking over the day’s events while eating together, motivating children to memorize scripture verses and above all, “Walk the Talk.”
Afterward, the families of the church brought their lunch and the STCH Ministries staff joined the families to share the meal together.
The following day, the directors of our partnering ministries were invited to a presentation on the importance of a functioning board by Eron Green and John Weber. This concept is not fully understood and practiced in the Dominican Republic. However, for succession planning and sustainability, it is a priority focus of encouragement as STCH Ministries collaborates with the efforts of our faith partners. Interest was very high, and questions came almost faster than they could be translated. The presentation whetted their appetites for more information and more guidance. STCH Ministries will be looking to respond to these requests soon.
Spring Break on Boothe Campus
/in Ministry Updates/by Megan FrommelSpring break on our Boothe campus was an exciting and eventful time for the kids. Our Student Ministry Coordinator planned several theme days throughout the week including water day, arts and crafts, glow-in-the-dark dodgeball and devotions each morning. Everyone also enjoyed the Star Wars movie marathon they had playing each evening. Although it’s hard when some of the kids are not able to go home for spring break, we keep them busy with fun activities!
The best thing has been God working in the children’s hearts on campus. In the last month, we have seen four students give their lives to Christ through our chapel time on Wednesday evenings. On March 26th, we will have two students baptized with another six waiting to get baptized. Please continue to pray for the children on campus as the Lord moves and wins their hearts!
Unlikely Heroes
/in Ministry Updates/by Joanna BerryThe 2023 Spring Break mission team to the Dominican Republic included an unusual mix of older couples, Tri-Delta sorority girls from Baylor University with three staff sponsors, a couple of teenage boys, STCH Ministries administrative staff and two young women from El Salvador.
They loved out loud with smiles of joy, fitting each girl with a new dress. The ministry, Dress a Girl Around the World, donated 100 dresses of varying sizes, uniquely sewn to reflect the God-created beauty within each girl. Working together, older adults connected with young boys who may never have held a drill. They hammered, sawed and drilled. They took odd sizes of lumber and fitted them together into a playscape that will remain a lasting contribution to the school-children in this impoverished barrio.
Perhaps the highlight of this week was the day spent with the boys in the Higuey Home. Twenty-five boys of varying ages, beautiful gifts uniquely created in the Father’s heart, live there as brothers. They were born into a dark world that did not value and care for them, yet they were rescued by the same Father’s love. Dominicans joined by STCH Ministries have provided a home, beds, food and care.
Knitting such a dissimilar group into an effective team occurred because each person came with a common purpose…to serve. There was nothing they were not willing to do.
Throughout the week, you could find them in the kitchen chopping vegetables to help the Dominican cooks, sanding, sawing, drilling to build a playground set, attending to the sick at a medical clinic, delivering food to families with empty cupboards, on the floor helping a child with a craft, blowing bubbles to coax a smile or sharing a meal with a Dominican family. Every afternoon, VBS included singing, dramas, crafts and games along with a Bible memory competition. The team began and ended each day worshipping, focusing on a lesson from God’s Word or sharing a special God moment.
Young women, pursuing a path in the medical field through their college classes, joined an experienced medical nurse, Dominican doctors and volunteers to meet both physical and spiritual needs. Clinics were held in two different neighborhoods to serve children and families.
Culture, age and life experiences can create an obstacle for an American team to connect with boys. But not for this group of energetic and determined young people. Inter-mixing and grabbing a partner, the music began. Clapping and stepping together to the rhythm, the cultural divide melted as joy-filled music crammed the spaces between them. Although their lives were worlds apart, on this day their joy and joint activities portrayed the unity we all share as children, all created in God’s image.
For all of us who are immersed in a culture that values pleasure and material possessions as primary goals to pursue, it’s easy to say, “Not my child, not my community, not my problem.” Then there are those who see the needs and choose to respond. They ignore comfort, they sacrifice time and resources and bravely step into the unknown to serve others. They follow the supreme example of the One who left heaven, to show us His mercy, His love and His grace.
This varied group became “unlikely heroes” to the many children and families that they served on this 2023 Spring Break mission trip.
Bendiciones,
Joanna Berry
Vice President of Family and International Ministries
STCH Ministries
Sharing the Impact of Faith & Finances
/in Ministry Updates/by Megan FrommelFaith & Work and Faith & Finances ministries have grown tremendously since the pandemic. The pandemic forced our team to think outside the box and embrace new methods of service. God also opened doors for us to begin online ministry using Zoom. Once we started doing Zoom classes, we saw an immediate increase in requests for classes. Word spread quickly that STCH Ministries had classes that would not only help people cope with the life changes they were experiencing but would also bring them together to have a deeper fellowship even through Zoom. Faith & Work and Faith & Finances are blessed to have facilitators helping us with these classes and are scheduled to certify more facilitators over the next few months. God has opened new doors at all three sites and allowed us to partner with many new organizations.
These things are all wonderful but the best part is the lives changed over the past few months. Here is one of the testimonies from Faith & Finances:
Gelon entered class on a Wednesday night only to find she was in the wrong class. She found the facilitator and other class attendees were so friendly that she decided to stay. By the end of the first class, she wept because she was so convicted about the way she had been handling God’s money. She had been irresponsible and neglectful of her finances and she wanted a change. Over the next several weeks, she learned how to do things God’s way and began practicing expense tracking, debt reduction and saving. She figured out she needed a Spending Plan and discovered how easy it is to keep track of her money when she had a plan in place. When the class started, she had over $1,000 in bank fees to pay off and zero savings. Six months later, she is debt free and saving an entire paycheck every month! She has successfully removed many bad habits from her life and is able to give joyfully to God’s kingdom. She has become an active advocate for Faith & Finances telling everyone she meets about all that God has done in her life by using the class she was not even supposed to attend.
This is just one of the many stories that come out of this ministry. We are so thankful to be able to see God at work throughout the ministry!
Love Crosses Oceans
/in Joanna's Journal, Ministry Updates/by Joanna BerryWhen God called missionary John Gilbert to become Headmaster of Yorktown Christian Academy, John brought his passion for a world lost without Christ into his goals and responsibilities. God formed a perfect partnership with a school that purposed to impart a world vision and the STCH Ministries focus on children and families. In February 2023, the Academy put into action their motto, “Love Crosses Oceans” for the 6th year with a large group of 38 children and parents in the Dominican Republic.
One evening the mission team divided into small groups to share a meal in the homes of IBQ church families. Their gracious hospitality and love overlaid their humble circumstances. Adalisa Paredes and her children have been praying for such a long time for their husband and father, so when the YCA group asked, “How can we pray for you?” the children boldly responded in their father’s presence, “Pray that our Dad will go to church and come to know Jesus.” The team prayed right on the spot, and the father promised to come to the Sunday service the next morning! Excited to see God answer their prayers, the families embraced and prayed together after the service. They promised to keep each other in their prayers that Dad will soon make his decision to accept Christ. The YCA leadership is careful to emphasize flexibility–that this trip is NOT a vacation. The focus is, “Here am I, Lord, send me.” They purposed to serve, to work, to adjust to the unexpected with a great attitude! The love of Christ expressed in actions crossed an ocean. God so loved, that He gave His only Son. Yorktown Academy’s eighth-grade students and their parents shared that love to children and families in the Dominican Republic.
Bendiciones,
Joanna Berry
Vice President of Family and International Ministries
STCH Ministries
Faithfulness in Homes for Families
/in ChangePoint Moments, Ministry Updates/by Megan FrommelKisha arrived at Homes for Families Bluebonnet Ranch at the end of October after patiently waiting for an opening. She had broken free from a long-term abusive relationship with the father of her four children in May and found a temporary safe place with her aunt and uncle. After a while, Kisha knew it was time for the next step in healing for her family. She knew the Lord but after years of abuse, her self-worth and confidence were completely shattered.
Immediately upon arriving at Homes for Families Kisha sought how she could draw close to the Lord and teach her children the love of Jesus. Within two weeks her oldest son gave his life to Christ and now reads his Bible to his younger siblings every night before bed. The others have a hunger for the Lord and they desire to be baptized like their big brother! Kisha always worked and felt like she was never allowed to parent her children. She is now a mom who boldly points her children to the Lord. She is so excited about their future and thanks God for their many blessings.
Below is a photo of her oldest son’s baptism and one of her other sons on his birthday receiving a bike from generous donors. The children were never allowed to play outside with other kids and did not know how to ride bikes. They’re thrilled to be outside playing with their friends now!
Vision 2025
/in Print Edition, Vol. 71, Issue 1/by Eron GreenProverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained; but happy is he who keeps the law.
As we begin 2023, we have embarked on an exciting journey called Vision 2025. The pursuit of where God would have us to be at the end of year 2025. As we begin this pursuit, we appreciate your prayers and are expectant that God will continue to use STCH Ministries in amazing ways!
As a lead in I would like to share a few ideas and help you to understand a bit about where we currently are in the vision pursuit. Vision is the bridge between the present and the future, vision gives planning a purpose. Organizations that do not make vision pursuit an integral part of their strategic planning will see chaos, lack of purpose, employee disengagement and an overall dysfunctional environment.
Through God’s leadership and power, we will press on to become all that God has in store for STCH Ministries. As an organization we will strive to:
• Ensure that all phases of this ministry will be completed in a manner that will ultimately bring honor and glory to Jesus Christ.
• Ensure that all children and mothers in our campus care will be provided a safe haven of love and refuge and the opportunities to realize the fulfillment of their hopes and dreams.
• Ensure that the ministry provided to families and individuals is Christ-based and of the highest professional standard.
• Nurture and grow our children and families spiritually to have an active, deep and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Wisely use the financial gifts we receive, this will include remaining debt free.
• Remaining completely funded by charitable gifts and not take state or federal funds.
Our mission statement is to honor God, to reach children and families with His love and truth while enabling others to join us in our ministry.
Our vision statement is to show the love of Christ to each and every child and family to whom we minister. We do this by creating a culture where the needs of children and families are seen and met in creative and innovative ways. Efficiency and accountability are strategic priorities with effectiveness and excellence the resulting evidence. We desire God to use STCH Ministries in mighty ways to do His work.
Our Core Values are: Excellence – in all programmatic and operational details, we desire to do all that we do in love and with excellence. Accountability – to serve others to the best of our ability, we will hold one another accountable by setting program and employee-specific goals and working together in a spirit of unity. Integrity – is the key to any relationship and we will build this trust each day by choosing to walk in truth, understanding and wisdom. Vision – we believe in seeking God individually and corporately to develop a vision for the future as we grow in effectiveness and excellence. Glory – we trust God to guide and direct us and we will give all that we are to Him – our strengths and our weaknesses; the challenges and the glory – for all good things come from His hand.
I hope this in-depth explanation has helped you to know more about who we are, how we do what we do and why. Thank you for taking the time to read through our Messenger. Please join us in prayer as we desire to understand all that Vision 2025 will entail!
Joining What God is Doing in El Salvador
/in Print Edition, Vol. 71, Issue 1/by Joanna BerryThings don’t just happen to us who love God; They’re molded and shaped, and timed by His clock. Things don’t just happen; they’re planned. (Esther Fields, 1944)
HOW FAR BACK IN YOUR LIFE can you trace the hand of God? The sovereignty of God—the secret history behind every decision, every interaction. Not an accident, but by design, not coincidence but His plan, not chance but Divine direction. “He holds in His hand not only the broad sweep of world history, but the tiniest details of our personal stories.” (Alec Motyer, Psalms by the Day)
As we begin exploring international expansion into El Salvador, it’s interesting to think about the foreknowledge of God as it relates to STCH Ministries International. In 1947, the Brown family carried the Gospel to the Dominican Republic, and a strong beachhead was established for Baptist work. During the same time period, thousands of miles away, Laura Boothe began the process of donating her land for the establishment of South Texas Children’s Home Ministries. 71 years later, those threads were connected through the descendants of the original actors in this God-directed drama!
For several years, STCH Ministries has sensed a need to share what God has enabled us to develop through International in the Dominican Republic since the beginning in 2006. Pre-Covid vision trips took us to Costa Rica, Peru and Mexico. The Covid chaos abruptly impacted those plans and we prayerfully waited and sought God’s wisdom for the future that only He could see.
In the summer of 2021, we met with Ward Hayes, Chief Financial Officer of Texas Baptists, to discuss sharing Faith & Finances training with leaders of small churches. However, Ward had heard of the STCH Ministries international work, and shared his passion for the tiny country of El Salvador, specifically for the Peniel network of churches, led by Edgar Borja, Sr. The “secret” history—God’s sovereign design for STCH Ministries in El Salvador gradually unfolded.
Prayer accompanied our research of these opportunities. El Salvador is the smallest and most densely populated Central American country. The capital city, San Salvador, is the oldest and longest-standing capital in Central America. El Salvador is bounded by Honduras to the north and east, by the Pacific Ocean to the south and by Guatemala to the northwest, making it the only Central American country that lacks a Caribbean coast.
El Salvador is largely an ethnically homogenous people. The intermarriage of Spanish settlers with the indigenous Indian population has resulted in a population that is nine-tenths mestizo, with Spanish as their universal language. Coffee, sugarcane and cotton are their major export crops, although today the service sector dominates the economy. They are also a large producer and exporter of hammocks and their most notable dish is the pupusa, a stuffed corn flatbread.
A history of Civil War, crime and violence has marked Salvadoran history for many years. In addition, the country was devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998 and by a major earthquake in 2001. In February 2019, Nayib Bukele, a Millennial who was not aligned with either of the major parties who had dominated the country since the Civil War, was elected president of El Salvador. Although he has suspended due process, according to a report by the International Crisis Group (ICG) 2020, violent crime has dropped by as much as 60 percent since Bukele became president in June 2019. Tourism is on the rise and the protection of Americans and all foreigners is a high priority for this government.
Prayer and communication began with El Peniel leadership. Their passion to reach people with the transforming power of the Gospel is expressed in Genesis 32:30 which is quoted on their website. In Spanish, it reads, “Vi a Dios cara a cara, y fue librada mi alma.” (I saw God face to face, and my soul was set free).
The Peniel ministry was first established in 1997, and they have been a self-governing, self-multiplying church for 30 years with no outside funding. Today they are a growing network of eight individual churches and two church plants located south of San Salvador, reaching to the coast. They are led by Edgar Borja, Sr. and a strong leadership team of home-grown pastors and their wives. They meet once a month and together they make decisions on strategies, budget and vision. They reach decisions through prayer, discussion and mutual agreement.
The Peniel churches’ objective is two-pronged: to set people free through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to accomplish life transformation through intentional discipleship opportunities. Their church-planting model starts with a pastor, a building, a soccer team and a school.
One of the most successful outreach methods utilizes the national obsession with soccer, where each church sponsors a soccer team.
People in the neighborhood are attracted to the soccer team but must attend church to be able to play each week. However, if in the excitement of the competition, fighting and bad language occurs, the penalty is a yellow slip and additional attendance requirements! There is no pressure or compulsion to make any additional decisions, but under the teaching from the Word of God, lives are transformed.
A second goal for each church is that every church needs to establish a Christian school. Their goal of discipleship was boldly proclaimed in a large banner that hung over the combination gym/auditorium.
2022—THE YEAR OF GROWTH IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD (Colossians 1:10). The schools have developed a reputation for excellence in their education and offer English and computer classes. Parents are incentivized to attend church by the significant discounts on school tuition which they can earn.
Since May 2022, we have made three exploratory-vision trips. The team members included our Dominican partners, Russell Jerez, Dr. Francisco Paredes and Rebeca Dinzey. Succeeding trips included Eron Green, Kyle Luke and a few selected pastors and leaders as we continued to get to know the Peniel network of churches. At one of the locations that we visited named El Riel, we observed volunteers working with picks and shovels to clear land for a church building. They had been meeting on the school grounds, but as the ministry grew, they needed a larger site. We were inspired by the testimony of Pastor Anselmo.
“I was a falling-down drunk who frequently didn’t make it home at night, and my children would find me asleep in the road and drag me home. My cousin invited me to play soccer but when he told me that I would have to attend church, I refused. Later, I reconsidered and decided I would attend one time, just to be part of the soccer team. At first, church did not impact me. But I did discover that if my wife and I attended additional services, our children would receive discounted tuition! That motivated us to begin to attend more frequently and slowly the Word of God penetrated our hearts and changed our lives and our home. I began to serve, went to school for my Bible training and now I reach others who are caught in the same hopeless circumstances.”
God touched our hearts, and over the succeeding trips, we were led to contribute funds to put up the walls, and later add the roof. They continue to work by faith to add windows and doors in God’s time. We also discovered that the greatest need of the El Riel church and school is for water, as their future growth is limited by a lack of access to this essential commodity. We invite you to pray with us in faith that God will also supply this need.
There are some distinct differences between the Dominican Republic and El Salvador. Obviously, the logistics of lodging, food and transportation are different. Since they are south of the equator, their school calendar is very different from the United States, as their “summer break” is November-January. As a result, many of our ministry activities will focus on participating with the children while in school, as well as discipleship opportunities and construction needs.
We continue to seek God’s guidance as we begin the process of stepping into this expansion gradually, adapting the mission God has given to STCH Ministries to the unique needs of the Salvadorian people and the Peniel ministries. We share a common focus on meeting the needs of children and families and the goal of life transformation through Christ. Our hope is to begin in 2023, partnering together with a few US mission teams. As of December 2022, we have begun to accept some of the children into our Samuel’s Fund sponsorship program.
One of our vision trip participants, Tony Gray, who also serves on the STCH Ministries board, responded after his trip, “It is evident that God is directing us and I am impressed by the discernment you (as leaders) show in your assessment of the countries we have an opportunity to work in. Recognizing it is not the DR, we want to grow in our ability to experience the people and the culture as much as we can. Thanks again for this opportunity you provided Heather and me to visit El Salvador, meet the people and get a feel for the amazing work God is doing there through Peniel.”
Trevin Hoekzma, pastor of Calvert Grace in Maryland, shared his impressions. “While traveling through El Salvador and visiting church plants associated with the El Peniel network of churches, I experienced a vibrant church community focused on making disciples, teaching the next generation and investing in families. Salvadorians reaching their neighbors and rural communities was a beautiful thing to witness.”
Trevin continued, “In speaking with some of the church members, I heard a desire and request for Americans to come teach English to their children and help increase the scope of the church’s outreach. We are eager and delighted to answer that request by sending a team this summer.”
Russell Jerez, from the Dominican Republic, added, “Visiting El Salvador has helped me see the wonders God is doing through the Salvadorian people in their ministry.”
We are excited about the opportunity to serve God through the Peniel network. We trust God to continue to help us plan wisely as we follow His leading. Mutually beneficial partnerships don’t just happen—they are planned in that mysterious interplay between the sovereignty of God and our own choices. We ask for your prayers in the following ways:
1. For volunteer teams
2. For financial support
3. For wisdom and God’s perfect timing.
Most of all, we desire that our vision will be renewed and energized as we celebrate what God has done and seek to transform lives through the power of the Gospel.
Building up a Leader
/in Print Edition, Vol. 71, Issue 1/by Ashley WolffIMAGINE MOVING TO A NEW TOWN and a new home where you know no one. Now, imagine moving into a home with strangers. Many people would feel anxious in a situation like this. For children arriving on the Boothe Campus, this is what they are walking into. Luckily, on the other side is a set of houseparents ready to welcome them, caseworkers to walk alongside them, counselors to help them work through issues that arise and support staff to help guide them. Most importantly, they do it all while being examples of Christ’s love for the children.
Jonathan came to STCH Ministries Homes for Children in June 2021 on the verge of turning 16. Having endured some difficult times throughout childhood, he lashed out with violence when in an uncomfortable situation. Coming to the Boothe Campus was one of those difficult moments for him. He felt “awkward” and unsure of what the future held. Little did Jonathan know he was being covered in prayer and it would ultimately change his life.
From the beginning, Jonathan’s houseparents wanted him to know that he was part of their family. One common scene on the Boothe Campus is a cottage coming together for dinner every evening. This one simple act helps create a time for the children and houseparents to feel a sense of normalcy. Around the table, they talk about their day, enjoy laughs together, share disappointments and grow together. For many of the children that come to Homes for Children, their first dinner is a memory that stays with them. Jonathan recalls his first dinner on campus as Cajun Sausage Pasta Alfredo, something he says he will never forget.
From early on in his time on campus, his houseparents saw his potential to be a leader in the cottage. “He’s always been a great kid,” his housemom shared, “he will volunteer to do stuff when I ask for the boys to do something without complaining.” As summer progressed, Jonathan felt genuine relationships starting to form between him and his houseparents and him and student ministries coordinator, Benjamin Brewer. He started opening up more and found ways to better channel his anger. He also began to seek a relationship with Christ.
When Jonathan arrived on campus, he knew of God but he did not know God. He had never pursued a real relationship with Him. Children that live at Homes for Children are given many opportunities to learn about Christ. The cottages attend local churches on Sunday mornings and on Wednesday nights there is chapel hosted on campus. More than that though, staff members like Benjamin, spend time with the students helping them understand the Bible and what it means to be a Christian.
In March 2022, Jonathan attended a D-Now weekend at his church. D-Now is a weekend retreat for middle school and high school students with worship and Bible studies. The theme for the weekend was “Through the Storm” and Jonathan felt like God was talking to him because he was personally going through a big storm. One night during worship, he decided to make a life-changing decision. “I felt God touch my heart,” Jonathan shared. He walked up to the front and found Benjamin who was one of the leaders for the weekend. Benjamin walked Jonathan through a prayer to accept Jesus into his heart. Even after D-Now, Jonathan continued to deepen his relationship with Christ and started to look for more ways to become a leader around campus. He sought discipleship from some of the staff and feels like those interactions have helped him grow immensely.
During the summer of 2022, Jonathan traveled to the Dominican Republic with other students from Boothe Campus. In order to go on the trip, the students had to prove they were responsible and could handle a trip of this caliber. Jonathan had shown so much growth since coming to Homes for Children, the staff saw him as a great addition to the trip. He enjoyed the trip and getting to see a different way of life and the different hardships people face. “Us STCH Ministries kids think we have it all bad but we don’t have it as bad as them,” Jonathan shared. “They live without food sometimes but they are more welcoming than we are. They welcomed us into their homes.” This experience is something he will hold close to his heart forever.
Next, Jonathan was asked to attend the Association of Christian Childcare Administrators Youth Leadership Conference at Shepherd of the Ozarks in Arkansas. Jonathan and one other student attended with the intention of them learning how to become better leaders on campus. “It was a time that I got to step up and be a leader,” Jonathan shared. “It was touching because the other student from here got saved while we were there and I was able to pray over him the whole time.” Jonathan came home from the trip ready to share his experience and step up as a leader.
Every year in September, schools across the world participate in See You at the Pole. Students gather around the flagpole at their school and spend time in worship and prayer together. Jonathan stepped up this year to be the student leader for the event. He feels a calling on his life to feed into the lives of those around him. “I didn’t always have the best experiences growing up. I want to be able to help those that are in similar situations to mine. I want to help them get through that time. That’s my calling,” Jonathan shared.
Staff members from Boothe Campus continue to see the work that God is doing in and through Jonathan. “Jonathan has grown to be a respectful leader at school in his extracurricular activities especially athletics and on campus,” Greg Huskey, vice president of campus ministries shared. “He has shown leadership by taking responsibility. Jonathan has a great willingness to serve others, lending a hand whenever needed.” Benjamin Brewer shared, “Jonathan is one of the most thoughtful and servant-hearted kids out here. He is usually always looking to help and make life easier. He was having a bad day just the other day and came to an event and saw that some of us were running around busy, he put away his own stuff and helped us before he relaxed! He even said thank you for letting him help.”
When Jonathan first came to STCH Ministries he saw the people on campus as strangers. He saw God as a stranger. Through building relationships with staff and other students, Jonathan found a spiritual family. More importantly, these relationships allowed him to see God’s love for himself and as a result, Jonathan developed a true relationship with Him. Through this time, the leaders around him saw his potential and continued to pray and support him. Jonathan is forever thankful for the support from spiritual leaders that continue to pour into his life and hold him accountable. He is excited to see how God continues to use him as a leader on campus, in school and in life.