C.E.H.C.J. Church (Evangelical Brethren Community in Jesus Christ) of La Palmera
Naturally, this young church reflects the distinctiveness of The Christian Brethren Movement due to the religious background of Lucho and Lorna as the pioneer missionaries. Nevertheless, it has its own character and folklore resulting of its own spiritual process, fresh approach to the Scriptures, and today’s divine history.
The church is not only young in life but also young in membership. Its average age reckons to be 24 years old. There are more than 60 regular members currently in fellowship, from more than 25 families. Visitors and extended family members bring our numbers during Sunday family services to more than 150 people and in special events we could have easily more than 300 guests. Our files show a greater number of families being reached with the Gospel through the years but because the social conditions of the town and the temporal nature of its social opportunities, many have moved to the larger cities or emigrated to other countries, taking with them their newly acquired relationship with God and becoming active members of larger churches or pioneers of new churches in their new places. This has been our contribution to the universal and militant Church.
We adhere to the foundational doctrines of the Christian Faith and opt for the Apostles’ Creed as the common ground of interaction with other members of the Body of Christ. We practice the Believer’s Baptism and the Lord’s Supper and embrace the practices of Child Dedication and the Blessing of Marriage as part of our church Christian witness & commitment in the community. We have not a clue on how to deal with Christian funerals yet!
The Gospel is preached throughout the weekday's activities and on Sunday we dedicate our services to the edification of the Lord’s people, the encouragement of our neighbours’ families by ministering the Word of God, and we also meet specially for Communion.
One night of the week is for home pastoral visitation. Two nights of the week are dedicated to prayers and Bible study. Three nights of the week are for special meetings for young people, CCC families, church women, church men and leaders.
The church leadership is now well equipped with faithful and able men and women who are committed with their gifts to reach the unsaved and minister the saints with the Word of God. Most of these leading believers are involved in one way or another with “La Palmera” CCC community work either as commended full time workers or as “tent makers”. Locally, we support all evangelical efforts and parachurch agencies.
The church has a missionary vision for the region and the country and it has supported teams to other parts of Bolivia and short term workers to India & Colombia as members of YWAM teams.