Several ministries of the Panama Central District, including Nazarene Youth International and Global Missions, worked alongside a team from the East Valley Church of the Nazarene in Arizona, USA, to hold a community outreach event 15-17 March in Panama City.

On Friday, the participants headed to the Ciricito de Capira community on the west side of the city to work with a newly organized Church of the Nazarene. The team helped with some construction, played soccer with the children, and showed a Christian film. The team also came together to pray over the pastors of the church.

On Saturday and Sunday, the team went to several church-type missions in the El Tecal and Mañanitas de Tocumen communities. They played games with the children and prayed for the leadership planting these missions.

A total of 85 children heard the message of the gospel in the three different sites.

Later on Sunday, the participants attended the first worship service in the Los Libertadores community, an area with eight 14-floor buildings where Genesis Project missionaries are ministering. They praised the Lord together and Pastor Scott Thornton from the East Valley team shared the message.

During the service, four adults, three youth, and 11 children accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. 

“Our hearts are grateful, especially to God, but also to our families, friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ who have joined us in this project and who aware of our needs and offer their prayers, financial support, words of encouragement, etc.,” said Ingrid Jocholá, volunteer Genesis missionary.

The Genesis missionaries have many plans for the future, including medical clinic projects and Maximum Missions events. Currently, the missionaries are teaching three girls to read and write, which has opened the door to minister to families on site.

“We thank God for the 48 participants from Panama and the 18 brothers and sisters from the East Valley team,” said Joél Bermudez, Panama Central District NYI president. “Thank you for always being willing to serve the Lord. In these three days, everyone was part of the mission of the Lord.”

--Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica