Across The Nation
It’s Worth It!
By Aaron Keller
In October of 2021, our MOVE team of twenty men hosted our first fall trip by going to the Dominican Republic to build a basketball court at a Christian school. As we were planning the project, we discovered the building the church, Iglesia Abierta Bancos De Arena, uses for their Christian school had the same structural issues as the apartment building that collapsed in Surfside, Florida, in June 2021.
Immediately we called for a meeting with the local pastor, Adan Guzman, and Raul Escalante, who pastors First Spanish Open Bible Church of Broward in Sunrise, Florida. Pastor Raul and his church have been instrumental in supporting the church in the Dominican Republic. Collectively we concluded that the building must be torn down. The church tried to accommodate space for the school, but it was not an ideal situation. So after we demolished the building, our MOVE team felt an obligation to help the church rebuild the structure. The problem was, we didn’t know when we’d be able to return.
God opened our schedule for a project to help rebuild the structure in February of 2022. We met with an engineer and developed the plans. It was designed to be bigger than the original building and more functional for a growing school in a community that has no other source of primary education. It was challenging knowing that with our limited time period of 16 days, we would be able to construct only the bones of the structure. Yet on February 22 our team of 26 men set out to complete this phase of the building. We never anticipated the spiritual battle we would face in completing the project.
Our first hurdle was the Dominican Republic government not releasing the funds we had sent early to purchase materials, but thankfully, we were able to resolve that issue. The second hurdle we faced lasted a period of five days. Working with the concrete companies in other countries always proves to be a challenge, but the issues with concrete for this project proved to be the most difficult we’ve encountered. We began the pouring of our beams and deck for the floor on the second story on March 1. After getting two-thirds of the way done, the pump truck broke and started spewing hydraulic fluid everywhere. Eventually we decided to use wheelbarrows and formed a bucket brigade to get the cement from the truck up to the second story where we were pouring this deck, but by then it was too late for that batch of concrete.
At the urging of the concrete company, we used the remaining concrete to pour the rest of the deck, but it was already beginning to cure. We had just demolished a building that had concrete structural issues, and if we walked away from this project, we would be leaving the school in a similar position.
If cement has already started to cure and you add cement on top of it, the two layers will not properly adhere together. Instead of the floor being one solid piece of four-inch-thick cement, you have two layers of two-inch thick cement. Also, because the deck was elevated, we had air movement both underneath and above where the concrete sits, so it cures faster than a cement pad being poured out on the ground. Frustrated, we sent the concrete company away and started brainstorming what to do. We prayed and made the difficult decision to tear out the last one-third of the deck. For two days our men worked tirelessly to remove the work we had done.
Friday was our next pour. While anxiously awaiting the arrival of the cement truck, we received a call that it had gotten a flat tire on the way. It showed up two and a half hours late, and again, the cement had started to cure. We couldn’t use it for the deck. We considered mixing it, but the only mixer within an hour and a half of the village had a broken pulley. Our trip was nearing its end, and we were running out of options. Saturday, March 5, we hired three local workers who helped us mix all the concrete by hand. We assembled a line of men with wheelbarrows that would deliver the fresh cement to other men holding buckets, who would fill their buckets and send them up a ladder to be poured. We hand mixed 5.5 cubic meters of concrete! After five days of challenges with a process that should have taken us only one day, we finally completed the deck. In difficult moments like these, we seek God and desire to understand what He would have us do. We were reminded of past challenges and remembered how we responded. We clung to this scripture from Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NLT): “So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”
The next morning we got anointing oil and prayed over the four corners of the property and each man. The entire time the local pastors were encouraging us, praying for us, and reassuring us our work was not in vain. By the time we got to the dedication of the building, it became clear why facing so many challenges was worth it: we could see the impact the church is having on the community, the kids that look to that building as their school, and the teachers that work so hard every day. Most of all, it’s worth it when you see the pastors rejoicing, knowing that God is their Provider.
With regards to the structure itself, there is still work to be done. It still needs exterior and interior block walls, windows, doors, and plastering. The remaining phases and their costs for Iglesia Abierta Bancos De Arena are:
- Construction of all exterior and interior walls – $10,362
- Supply and installation of windows and doors – $5,042
- Construction of the second-floor wall (steel studs and cement board) that separates the two classrooms – $2,333
- Plastering of all walls (exterior and interior) – $8,930
We consider it an honor to be a small part of the work in Bancos De Arena. We know that our evangelistic impact as a missions team is small compared to the work the local pastors are already doing, so we have chosen as our mission to equip them with the resources they need to minister to their community. We celebrate their vision and the work they are doing and believe that soon they will have a completed structure for their school.
To see additional photos and videos from the trip, click here .
If you would like to donate to help cover the costs to finish this high school, click here .
About the Author
Aaron Keller is the National Director for MOVE Ministries and the lead pastor of Sunshine Open Bible Church in Des Moines, Iowa. MOVE Ministries started in 1981 and has completed 45 projects around the world.
Go to www.moveministries.org for information on upcoming projects.
On September 19-21, pastors from around the country gathered for the 2024 Open Bible National Hispanic Conference, held in Antioch, California. Attendees of the conference numbered close to one hundred and represented nineteen different Open Bible churches. Templo Santo Community Church was the hosting church for the conference, and our theme was “CHANGED: Transformed to Transform.” We were blessed with the presence of powerful speakers: President Michael Nortune, Dr. Nicholas Venditti, and Pastors John Mendez, Michael Zakarian, and Caleb Plummer.
The Church as a whole, the Open Bible denomination, and Hispanic Ministries are needed for such a time as this.
The conference started with a welcome dinner where pastors and leaders were able to reconnect with old friends and connect with new friends who were first-time attenders. We had a powerful night of worship during which President Nortune spoke a prophetic word about entering a new season. God has opened a wide door for Open Bible, and new opportunities are on the horizon for our ministries.
Throughout the following days, we heard challenging messages on embracing our vision (Dr. Venditti), navigating culturing changes (Pastor Mendez), loving and embracing the next generation (Pastors Zakarian and Plummer), and depending on the presence of God (President Nortune). In addition to these incredible sessions, we had the opportunity to explore the beautiful city of San Francisco and the surrounding areas.
In our closing session, Pastor Mendez encouraged us that we were chosen for this time in history. The Church as a whole, the Open Bible denomination, and Hispanic Ministries are needed for such a time as this.
As we concluded with a time for more fellowship, here are a few of the things we heard people saying:
“This conference exceeded my expectations.”
“I felt the love and unity within the Hispanic Ministries.”
“The messages were relevant for our time.”
“Best conference ever!”
We look forward to what God has in store for Open Bible’s Hispanic Ministries. We believe that a door has been opened for our dream to come to life – having a Hispanic ministry in every state in this nation.
About the Author
Jorge Navarrete
Jorge Navarrete was appointed as the senior pastor of Templo Santo Community Church in May 2002. Prior to that, he served as youth pastor, Sunday school teacher, member of the Board of Elders, and as church administrator for Templo Santo. In May 2017, Jorge was appointed to serve in his current role as Director of the Hispanic Ministries for the West Sector. Pastor Navarrete also works for the Supreme Court of California as the Clerk/Executive Officer. He has served in this role since 2016.
There are over 10,000 homeless citizens in Lee County, Florida, but thanks to a creative nonprofit idea and a fully sponsored shower trailer, Open Bible Community Church (OBCC) has found a unique way to serve them.
Located in North Fort Myers, OBCC is pastored by Joe and Pat VanEst. When Hurricane Ian hit their county in 2022 and homelessness exploded, pastors Joe and Pat responded by founding “Hope Ambassadors,” a nonprofit designed to empower individuals through disaster relief and ongoing rehabilitative efforts.
Beginning by providing food and hygiene kits to homeless communities, the team soon realized there was a need for showering facilities. Through a string of miracles and one philanthropic donor, a shower trailer was purchased, and Hope Ambassadors now owns the only shower trailer in Southwest Florida. Housing two rooms and ten total shower units, the trailer visits two homeless communities twice a week and has already provided nearly 500 showers to families in need.
“This has totally changed the thinking of our church,” says Pastor Joe VanEst. “We are building relationships with these folks, and it’s only a matter of time until we can share Jesus with them.” Already, the church has seen growth from visitors who have come to church after using the shower trailer.
Hope Ambassadors is quickly building relationships with other local nonprofits that provide services like haircuts, food, and clothing. Future dreams include creating a commercial kitchen that would create nutritious, freeze-dried meals for hungry families. Hope Ambassadors’ mission statement is “To heal communities in the spirit of unity,” and thanks to God’s grace and provision, they are well on their way.
“This has totally changed the thinking of our church”
Rehoboth Open Bible Church has stood strong for forty-five years. Our journey began in the cozy apartment living room of Revs. Easton and Joy Grant in Brooklyn, New York, with seven adults and seven children. As the years passed and our congregation flourished, outgrowing the capacity of two hundred set by the NYC Department of Buildings, the church initiated a second service in 1998 and began an arduous search for a new, larger home, a journey that has tested our determination and resilience.
Finding a suitable space to meet [in Brooklyn] is daunting, with people seeming to occupy every square inch
Brooklyn, one of the most densely populated counties in the United States, presents a unique set of challenges for churches. Finding a suitable space to meet is daunting, with people seeming to occupy every square inch. There are no new spaces for churches in New York. Currently existing churches were originally built in the 1800s, often by Catholics and Presbyterians; modern churches must convert commercial spaces or purchase existing spaces occupied by older churches or temples. Even when property can be found, political and business environs do not want such valuable real estate removed from the tax roll and often restrict access by religious non-profit organizations. Thus, most churches in Brooklyn are classified as storefronts, utilizing small commercial retail spaces or the front rooms of homes.
When we were appointed as pastors of Rehoboth in 2011, the search for a larger facility was already ongoing. Four months into our role, we drove by a former Jewish temple on 888 East 56th Street which had a sign saying, “For Sale or Triple Net Lease.” Despite our uncertainty, we called the listed number and met with the owner.
Most of the property was in a deplorable condition, requiring eyes of faith to visualize its value. Based on the redlining lending practices of the neighborhood and commercial banks’ refusal to lend to churches, the likelihood of acquisition was slim to none. Negotiations were painful, but after numerous meetings and much prayer, two years later we achieved an owner-seller financing purchase. That was the first miracle in the journey to 888, since we would not have been able to qualify for financing on the open market.
The purchase consumed all the church’s savings and more. Despite this, God provided monthly mortgage payments of $16.1k while funding the church’s day-to-day operations, our second miracle.
888 East 56th Street is more than a building. It continues the legacy of bringing Rehoboth’s soul to life.
We launched a three-year capital campaign in 2015 that proved God’s power in Rehoboth’s life at a new level. Like Gideon, God used a small group to catch the vision, amassing funds exceeding the pledged amount by nearly forty percent! God’s faithfulness gave birth to the third miracle – providing the equity needed to match our upcoming construction loan.
In 2019, six years after purchasing the property, we obtained a construction loan and refinanced the seller’s note at a lower interest rate, providing more funds for renovation – miracle number four.
With much excitement after the groundbreaking in December 2019, construction began in March 2020. Three weeks in, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, sending NYC spiraling. The city that never sleeps shut down tight for three months. While COVID-19 kept us all enclosed, our property renovations were in limbo. Unattended projects suffered, material prices quadrupled, and labor costs followed suit.
The challenge of dealing with unscrupulous consultants, renegotiating contracts, finding new subcontractors, confronting disfavored lending practices, and seeking to manage construction timelines was an enormous feat. But God provided miracle after miracle by granting favor, stretching finances, creating new alliances, empowering us with new boldness to advocate, and providing the changes we needed while keeping our integrity intact. As one major devious player on the project stated, “With all that I have done, you should not be here. I know God is with you.” To which we say, “Yes, Amen!” God is with us.
On Palm Sunday, March 24, 2024, we held our final service at our previous address. Afterward, we marched to 888 East 56th Street with a police escort and a drumline, waving palm branches and flags in joyous jubilation. Our seniors who were unable to walk traveled via cars behind the marchers. All reveled in the moment, singing and giving God thanks as we beheld the miracle on East 56th Street and rejoiced in what God had done!
Upon arrival, we introduced ourselves to the community, recited Psalm 24, opened the doors, and let the King of Glory in! We then held our first service at 888, celebrating jubilantly the fulfillment of the biblical promise our church name represents. The founders of our church chose the name “Rehoboth,” taken from Genesis 26:22:
And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So, he called its name Rehoboth because he said, ‘For now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land’ (NKJV).
888 East 56th Street is more than a building. It continues the legacy of bringing Rehoboth’s soul to life, providing room to become, belong, and believe for those who are here and those who are yet to come. What God said with His mouth, He has fulfilled with His hands this day for His glory. He has made room for us!
About the Author
Leroy and Dalton Spencer
Leroy and Dalton Spencer are the lead pastors at Rehoboth Open Bible Church, in Brooklyn, New York. They have been members of Rehoboth for over 25 years, serving in various capacities before assuming the helm in 2011. They are passionate about advancing the kingdom of God, prayer, and caring for the sheep with a good shepherd’s heart. Leroy and Dalton believe people are our greatest asset and fully embrace the mandate to bring them to maturity by equipping them with the Word and life skills.
