If you recall the parable of the good Samaritan in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus told us about the Samaritan helping a traveler who had been robbed, beaten and left for dead on the Jericho Road between Jerusalem and Jericho. This road was a dangerous and difficult place to be. He stopped and entered into an extensive compassionate response to the man’s needs. At the end of the parable, Jesus commanded His questioner to Go and do likewise. Living on the Jericho Road is not the most comfortable place to be but it’s where Christ calls us to be. Honduras and many parts of the world are filled with people just like that beaten man. Many of the roads are dangerous both literally and figuratively but we must model a Christ-like response.
Our ministry in Honduras seeks primarily to support the front-line Christian workers, whether Hondurans or North Americans, both in the churches and other organizations. We aim to demonstrate the love of Jesus in a tangible way. The needs are great and continuing to increase daily and we know that only God can supply all the needs. But Jesus gave us a starting point for action when he gave us the following words in Matthew 25 . . .
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
Our work in Honduras is Christ-centred and church-based and is located primarily in the northwest quadrant of the country. The key areas are identified on the map below. Individual projects are described in more detail using the various links below.
Contact church@svbc.ab.ca for more information. If you would like to become involved in the work in Honduras or if you have any questions, please ask.
Puerto Cortes
In Puerto Cortes we are partnered with Iglesia Nazareno Church and the Compassion project located in this church. The spiritual leader is Pastor Alex Bardales.
La Esperanza (near Puerto Cortes)
In La Esperanza we have two distinct projects. We work with Brian and Rina Ruark at a technical school called Ministerio la Voz.
We also work with the local Iglesia Nazareno Church which is pastored by Marlon Benegas. There is a medical clinic associated with the church and we have taken a medical team to work out of this clinic.
San Pedro Sula
In San Pedro Sula we partner with an Assembly of God church called Templo Esmirna. It also hosts one of the Compassion projects where families in our church sponsor children.
Quimistan
In Quimistan, about 45 minutes west of San Pedro Sula, we help at the Iglesia Cuadrangular Church and Pastora Julia. This church is a daughter church of the Ministerio Agape Church where the local Compassion project was previously located.
Recently, we have added our support to Tranquilidad Foundation, a home for orphaned and abandoned children and youth under the leadership of Sam and Roxanne Turnipseed formerly of South Carolina.
Santa Clara (near Quimistan)
In Santa Clara, we partner with the White Dove Bilingual Christian School which is located at the top of a mountain. This ministry is guided by Arturo and Suyapa and presently provides Christian education from pre-kinder to grade 5.
El Progreso
In El Progreso, we originally met Pastor Nelson, a dynamic leader and local Pastor who is making amazing in-roads with the Gospel into the community through his incredibly novel approaches. He introduced us to the bilingual Christian school Share the Bless and we have been working with them for a number of years.