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.
Life “happened” to me when my first husband died. After walking through my own grief, the Lord allowed me to walk alongside many others who were also grieving. Doors continued to open in this area, and when the opportunity arose to serve with Marketplace Chaplains, I felt a confirmation from God that this was where He wanted me. I started as a chaplain shortly after applying, and two years later I was offered the job as Director of Operations for a new team formed in South Florida.
Marketplace Chaplains is a ministry that stands out from others due to how it was formed and its core reason for existing. It was formed by a former military chaplain, Lee Strickland, in 1984. After his experience of being served by chaplains in the military, Lee desired to provide a similar service for his community through this unique ministry. Marketplace Chaplains has teams made up of male and female chaplains who each assist in the care of the employees within companies throughout the United States and Canada. Relationships within these companies are built through routine chaplain visits that happen weekly, bimonthly, or monthly. These regular visits help the employees become comfortable with the chaplains so that when a crisis happens, they are more likely to call for help. Chaplains are available to the employees 24/7, assisting with bereavement, funerals, suicide prevention/support, and family crises.
Marketplace Chaplains has teams made up of male and female chaplains who each assist in the care of the employees within companies throughout the United States and Canada.
A few years back, a leader of one of the companies I serve called in a panic when one of his employees was sobbing, having discovered that her healthy, 40-year-old husband had died suddenly in his sleep. The leader asked me, “What do I do?” He had offered her condolences and covered her flight home to begin arrangements, but despite this, he shared that such a tragic situation made him feel helpless and weak. I reminded him that when we feel weak, the Lord promises to be our strength. I also let him know that in times of tragedy it is often not what we say but simply our presence that God uses. As I spoke, I realized that all I had walked through in my own grief had helped me support this leader through this huge trial.
There are challenges with being a Christian chaplain in spaces that recognize all faith traditions. I remember a particular moment when I was in training at the hospital when the program’s director insisted that the name of Jesus could not be used to close a prayer without the patient’s consent. I wrestled with this concept, even wondering if this limitation was God telling me not to serve in this type of ministry. Later that day, I was making my rounds on my assigned floor in the paralysis unit, which serves patients with injuries impacting their ability to walk. I entered a male patient’s room, greeting him with a simple, “Hello, sir, how are you?” In an extremely loud and animated voice, the patient responded, “There you go!” Assuming I wasn’t welcome, I responded, “I’m sorry, sir, I’m not sure I understand you. Did you want me to come back a different time?” To which he responded, “How can you leave now? You just brought the Holy Spirit in here!”
I was shocked; I knew that a greeting was all that I had spoken. I hadn’t offered prayer or said anything about God. This man hadn’t even seen my badge of chaplaincy when he made this statement. In this moment I saw the power of God’s presence in my life. I was able to see that when I support and serve patients or employees in secular spaces, Jesus goes with me whether I mention His name or not. God can and will use me in this role as a chaplain, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Him in the marketplace.
I realized that all I had walked through in my own grief had helped me support this leader through this huge trial.
For those who sense a calling to serve as a chaplain or who simply want to learn more, Marketplace Chaplains is often looking for men and women who sense the call of God to impact their community outside of their church. Visit this website to search for jobs and learn more about this amazing way to transform lives: www.mchapcares.com
About the Author
Kwabea Francis
Kwabea Francis serves as Executive Director of Operations with Marketplace Chaplains and is an ordained Open Bible minister. Her heart is to share the love and purpose of God with those she ministers to as a chaplain, preacher, and teacher of the Word of God. She attends Living Word Open Bible Church in Cooper City, Florida. Kwabea earned her Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary and is a graduate of the University of Florida. She and her husband have five sons and three grandchildren.
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”
