Santiago Ministry Project
A God-given opportunity!
Our Ministry Center on a busy intersection in Santiago!
The Santiago Ministry Center is the hub of our outreach in the comuna (municipality) of Providencia, in Santiago, Chile. This ministry began in September 2017 and serves residents and immigrants with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in both body and soul. The Ministry Center is home to:
- the “Divina Providencia” congregation
- temporary housing for immigrants (mostly Venezuelans – click here to read more!)
- low-cost resale store
- center of operations for the Venezuela Relief project
- English class outreach
- workshops, Bible studies, and more!
Current Worship Space
Due to covid-19 restrictions and space limitations, we have been holding worship services outdoors. Our first step was to build a solid floor, like a cement patio. Then we bought some canopies to provide shade. However, a freak summer hailstorm ruined our canopies!
Rather than investing in more canopies, we built a solid structure that can eventually be moved, if necessary. But apparently, some pesky neighbors don’t like our temporary chapel and complained to the local government. They, in turn, ordered us to demolish the structure, which we have not done. We have been living under the threat of demolition for over a year now, causing all kinds of feelings of insecurity, impermanence, and doubts about the future of our church.
Our longer-range plan is to purchase the property we are in (we are currently renting) or something similar. It will be expensive, but will also give the Lutheran Church a lasting presence in Santiago and provide stability for the ministry into the future! As in most major cities, centrally-located properties are valued at a premium, and this property (or one similar) will cost between $250,000 and $400,000. Right now, our focus is on obtaining a local mortgage in Chile. That requires a down payment of about 30% of the value of the property we purchase. We are trying to raise $75,000 to pay for the down payment. We have NO IDEA how that could possibly happen, but what we DO know is that we have a BIG and AWESOME GOD and that nothing is too large for Him! If you would like to discuss how to support our longer-range plan to purchase the property, email us: revtino(at)hotmail.com
