There is no better way to understand what a Sister Church relationship is all about, than to listen to the what others have experienced through the relationship. These three churches have Sister Churches in three different countries. Their experience has all been different, yet equally rewarding. That is one of the beauties of this program, each church can develop their relationship in the way that best matches their gifts, interests and abilities. The Sister Church Coordinator would be glad to help you make contact with existing Sister Churches so that you could hear first hand what it has meant to them.

Eastside Community Church & Somoto, Nicaragua by Dennis Turner

Eastside Community Church in Wichita, KS has been the sister church to the Brazos Abiertos church in Somoto, Nicaragua for four years. During those four years, it has been a joy for us to partner with them. We have been able to help with their financial stability, ministerial training, and leadership development.

We became the sister church to the church in Somoto during the time that they were hoping to buy land that already had a building. Gordon called me to say that they had found property to purchase, so our Elder Team and I began praying. We felt the urgency from the Lord to send the money so they could purchase the land before the bank sold it to other available buyers. The money literally arrived within hours of this happening and that began our relationship as two communities, in different countries, working for one purpose.

Since then our church body has been able to provide the resources to build a parsonage and pila facility for the church to use. The pila supplies the water for the church and bathrooms for the men, women, and children. We had the opportunity to travel to Nicaragua two years ago to dedicate those facilities to the Lord and that was a huge bonding experience. We worshiped, ate, and shared together all that God had done in the lives of our churches. It is always a blessing to remember there is a church in a completely different country that is continually praying for us. Recently, God enabled us to provide the resources to build three widow homes in Somoto and the funds they needed to build the walls on the church building so it would be completed. Now, our brothers and sisters in Somoto no longer have to wear plastic ponchos to church, but they can worship and be dry at the same time!

We believe it is also our responsibility has a sister church to support them by coming up with new and more effective ways of doing ministry. We were able to be with them in February of 2008 to train their children’s ministry leaders and provide the curriculum we use in our church. We also invited churches from the surrounding areas to bring their leaders and learn about this program. It was a 2 day training seminar and ended in a performance of this program for the children in the community. The most exciting part of that experience was having more than 300 people attend the program and worship service and see more than 25 people come to know Jesus that night!

On that trip we also began to encourage a brand new Brazos Abiertos church plant in nearby Ocotal, Nicaragua. With the help of the Somoto church and monthly support from some dedicated people in the Eastside congregation, the Ocotal church is thriving. We are now praying that God will provide the Ocotal church with a sister church who can help them purchase a building of their own.

Since the beginning of our relationship, we have been in contact and partnership with the Somoto church. It has truly been a blessing from God not just for them, but for us as well. It has opened up our eyes to the things that often go unseen. I thank God for the opportunity to be a part of this partnership with our brothers and sisters in Somoto, Nicaragua as well as with those in Honduras.

Farmington Hills Church of God & Los Guidos, Costa Rica by Gordon Steinke

Our connection began in 2006 when a group from Farmington Hills traveled to Costa Rica. We visited and partnered with 3 congregations (San Jose, Los Guidos, and Sarchi). It was a wonderful weeklong experience. But, it was the last night as we drove in the van with our hosts (pastors and spouses) that we realized a very real bond of love. As we laughed and ate and played . . . we knew that something very special, a profound connection, had been created here!

We returned home and our group decided together about our Sister Church connection. Although we had only spent only one day that week in Los Guidos, this was the congregation with which we wanted to partner.

This past July, we experienced our 3rd annual missions trip to Costa Rica. Like the previous years, we visited all 3 congregations. But, now our ministry focus was in Los Guidos. Again, we had prepared for a Vacation Bible School experience with 80-120 children. WOW – especially since it is everyone all together in one room. It was great. We all had our special connections with 1 or 2 or more children!

In 2008 we also had the opportunity to begin to work on a new piece of property the church was purchasing. The Farmington Hills Church began a Capital Campaign in 2007. We committed to give 10% of our income to missions/churches outside of our own project. The first $5,000 tithe went to Los Guidos to help purchase this property. It was exciting to see how the church family itself was raising money for the purchase. And, it was rewarding to see how the church members came to do the work on the property as we worked with them. (Actually, we did more watching while they did the working!)

But, the best part of the continued Sister Church relationship was the new experience we had this summer. The progression of relationship we have experienced in the last 3 years says it best:

• In 2006 – we visited 3 churches in Costa Rica
• In 2007 – we connected and partnered with the Los Guidos congregation and the pastor’s family
• In 2008 – we built relationships with the church family of the Los Guidos congregation

This year-after the Vacation Bible School was over-we were invited into the homes and the lives of the church families. This year it really felt like we were building relationships that went beyond the pastors and a few people. We were sister churches!

What connects Los Guidos, Costa Rica and Farmington Hills, Michigan, USA?

• Dreams and hopes for our children and youth
• Prayers for our churches and our ministries
• Laughter, Worship, Work…
• Struggles, Burdens and Challenges of life and ministry
• Excitement to arrive at the San Jose airport – because we will be reunited with friends (rather than apprehension of who will meet us and what will this missions trip be like)
• Sadness as we end another week of being together . . . and hope of a reunion next year!