2009 All rigths reserved. © Good News In Action
GUATEMALA CITY, GUATEMALA
ESPAÑOL
NELSON'S BACKGROUND
Nelson Rivas was the second of three children born to a non-Christian marriage 1961 in San Salvador , El Salvador . Central America . His father was a prominent lawyer and his mother an elementary school teacher, both had a catholic background.
Nelson studied elementary school at Colegio Don Bosco, a prestigious catholic school in San Salvador . Carlos Lopez, the priest who conducted the school's orchestra soon discovered Nelson's abilities for music and recruited him to be a part of the band. Lopez taught Nelson to sing, read music and play the violin. Later on Nelson studied piano with private teachers and also added English as a Second Language to his studies.
THE FIRST CALL
Nelson's dream was to be a physician. In fact, he was studying his fourth year of medicine when he received Jesus as his Savior at Iglesia Bautista Miramonte in San Salvador . Nelson grew quickly in his faith and soon served the Lord in youth ministry. Later on he enrolled in the Bible seminary and when he was studying his 5 th year of medicine, God called him to serve Him "full time".
Nelson met Rosemarie, his wife, when he was "just saved". He shared the gospel with her and she received Jesus in her heart soon after. They were married in 1990 and have both have served the Lord together ever since. They have 3 daughters, Daniela born in 1993, Fabiola born in 1995 and Camila born in 2001
USED BY GOD TO FOUND A CHURCH
In 1990, the year they were married, Nelson and Rosemarie, together with Julio and Patty Contreras and Steve and Pam Kern, founded Iglesia Bautista Vida Nueva in San Salvador , a church that would be "in love with God His Word, and the souls of men". Fourteen people met for the first time in Julio's living room in January 1991. The church has grown to more than 700 believers since that very first day. Nelson was ordained pastor in New Life Baptist Church as he was "ministering and serving the saints".
THE TRIAL
In early 2005 the Rivas family experienced the greatest challenge of their lives; Rosemarie was diagnosed with a serious and very invasive type of breast cancer. Pain, surgery, chemo, radiation and the agony of not knowing what comes next, have been a part of daily life since that day. Due to the very aggressive nature of cancer, the prognosis has not been good all this time. At present, doctors believe the cancer is in remission. Their everyday prayers include asking God to keep it that way.
THE SECOND CALL.THE VISION
Nelson is now convinced that his entire life (music training, languages, founding a church, pastoring, and the trial of cancer) has been a training ground for a very special work. Four years ago, God began to lay a special love for Guatemala in Nelson's heart as well as a burden for the Guatemalans which has been gradually growing.
Guatemala is a country northeast of El Salvador with a population of about 13 million people, 5 million live in the capital, Guatemala City . As Nelson has been traveling to Guatemala City from El Salvador during the last 3 years, he noticed that there was not a single church along the last 20 mile stretch before actually entering the city. This area is very attractive to young professional married couples and it is estimated that about half a million people live along that stretch of highway.
God has literally shown Nelson that a city-wide church with quality praise ministries, good expository preaching of the bible, innovative children ministries, among other things, would attract not only the families that live along the road but also many families that live throughout the whole city. The burden evolved and God finally called the Rivas Family to leave Vida Nueva in San Salvador and move to Guatemala where they very excited to reproduce the ministry of Vida Nueva.
They have accepted the challenge to leave everything and go. As they say, "they are so filled with gratitude to God that they want to spend the rest of their lives sharing the gospel and mentoring with The Word all those who get saved." Of course, leaving the congregation in San Salvador will be hard, even harder will be to leave Julio and Steve.but God who is faithful will provide and bless their obedience.
THE STRATEGY
The vision that God has given Nelson is to raise up a church "at the side of the road" that is accessible to everyone. But before they even hold their first service, Nelson would like to create "small home groups" similar to the "Circulos de Vida" they have in Vida Nueva, San Salvador . This will give them the chance to win couples to Christ and mentor them in the many "gated" neighborhoods of the area." This will also set the foundation for a small-group oriented church. The idea is to make a "soul-winning group" out of every group. Once they have managed to "enter" into different "condominiums" and once they are sure God has directed, they will rent a place and call everyone to celebrate their first meeting. That way, the church will surely have some matured families to start worship services.
FAREWELL
The Rivas family made their move to Guatemala on Tuesday, September 11 th . Please pray for them as they raise up a new body of believers in Guatemala . Please also pray for their daughters. The girls have all studied at the German School in San Salvador . They were interviewed by the principal of the German School in Guatemala and accepted there. Please join the Rivas family in praying that God would provide the necessary funds for the girls to register and continue with their studies at the German School of Guatemala City . Please also join them in praying and trusting God for their full financial support, at the time this is being written (Sept 07) they only have 65% of their budget covered. They are following God by faith.
Nelson Rivas
SAN SALVADOR
