I am working to teach and disciple evangelical pastors from the slums of 
View of steep hillside in Colonia Villa Nueva with typical shacks
My Honduran partners and I work in a poor barrio called Colonia Villa Nueva, situated on a mountain on the edge of the city. The population of this barrio is about 70,000, and it has a pastors’ association with about 50 evangelical pastors. These pastors belong to a variety of tiny denominations which provide them legal recognition, spiritual coverage and a place to send their tithes, but often do not have resources to provide support or training.
These pastors receive no salary and most cannot support their ithes they receive, since their members are few and poor. Most of the pastors work (when work is available) as laborers, but still at times cannot put food on the table.
Pastor Francisco supports his wife, six children, sister-in-law and four nieces and nephews
My partners, Pastors Rafael and Patricia Maradiaga, a physician and a teacher respectively, understand the position of these pastors. Four years ago Pastor Rafael suffered a stroke which left him unable to practice medicine, and their financial position became so difficult that for a time they live with Patricia’s parents, sister, and six nieces and nephews. Fourteen people lived in a small house with no running water.
Although better educated than the pastors of Colonia Villa Nueva, with a seminary degree by correspondence in addition to his M.D., Pastor Rafael too has experienced a lack of support for him as a pastor, even from his own denomination.
Pastor Rafael Maradiaga with Missionary Jim Fatheree
One day in 2004, a pastor from Colonia Villa Nueva stopped by, discouraged, and Pastor Rafael listened to him and gave him a used Bible. He was struck by the fact that the pastor went out encouraged, ready to continue in ministry.
He realized that what was lacking was simply someone to take an interest in the pastors, a lack that he also felt. He conceived the vision to disciple a group of pastors who would then not only be equipped to minister in their own churches and communities, but could also disciple other pastors in the barrio. He conferred with Pastor Castejon, but 50 pastors was too many for one man, so he decided to begin with twelve. Meanwhile, he was praying for a “man of God” to partner with him in the ministry.
Pastor Rafael shared his vision with Korean missionary Jabez Jang. He was concerned that he had no resources, but Brother Jang counseled him, “Just begin, and the resources will come,” and lent him instructional DVDs from the International School of Ministry. Rafael assembled the group of 12 pastors and began the project in late 2004, meeting every Monday evening from 6 to 8 pm. I joined him in May 2005.
Pastors in small groups praying after discussing the teaching
Our ministry is first and foremost one of presence. We are here to be with and listen to these dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Our process currently is presenting the weekly DVD teaching and visiting each pastor’s family in their home to hear their hearts.
These pastors, like many of us, tend to focus on obstacles and needs and are often blind to the many spiritual and material resources they have. Most importantly, they have the Holy Spirit of God and fellowship with other believers in the Body of Christ. They are all survivors, with no fear of hard work, and with much creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. Many have skills and need only a small amount of capital ($50) to buy materials to start a small home business such as sewing or making concrete blocks.
The five main areas of material help needed are
1. teaching materials in Spanish
2. school supplies and school fees for pastors’ children.
3. food
4. medicines
5. used clothing
