Lucho & Lorna Velez’s present missionary vision began in the early 80’s by exploring a biblical understanding of community development as a way to enrich the church in its response to human needs. They perceived from Scriptures the message of the Gospel as an opportunity for people “to change from a condition of human existence contrary to God’s purposes to one in which people are able to enjoy fullness of life in harmony with God.” (Jn.10:10; Col. 3:8-15; Eph. 4.13)
The
Velez missionary work has been developed in the context of Latin
American reality and specifically within the culture of the Amazon
Prairies, northeastern Bolivia. Their commitment has been to give
public expression to this missionary understanding that focuses
on the whole gospel for the whole person, in their social, political,
economic, cultural and religious contexts.
In the early 90’s, Lucho & Lorna promoted and developed
a sponsoring programme mainly amongst Christian Brethren Assemblies
in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, England; Ontario, Canada and
Minnesota, USA. This programme has provided a very important affirmation
to the many ministries that evangelicals in general and, specifically
in the “Plymouth Brethren” missionary history (with
which they are fully identified), have been carrying out for hundreds
of years in the Second-Third World mission field, but which had
remained silent about it in some quarters lest they be misunderstood
as weakening the preaching the Gospel.
The Sponsors ministry, as a First-World based support agent, has
fundamentally facilitated the development of the Christian Cultural
Center in Trinidad-Beni, Bolivia and its involvement in critical
areas of felt needs such as education, health, recreation, personal
development, building development, employment and Christian witness,
reflecting Biblical Kingdom values such as grace, mercy, justice,
integrity, equality, respect, etc.
The Velez missionary work “recognizes that enabling people
to experience Christ’s Lordship is the key to wholistic ministry”.
This has included the Biblical MUST of church planting and identifying
the vital role of the Holy Spirit in bringing the experience of
transformation especially to the vulnerable and poor.
Our biblical understanding of community development has been explored
in the realm of economics and environment. The themes of God as
Creator and we humans as stewards for creation have emerged clearer
from biblical readings such as chapters 8 and 9 of the 2 letter
of Paul, the Apostle, to the Corinthians, and explain the basis
for our sponsorship and short term volunteer programs.
As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to
the poor; his righteousness endures forever”. This has enriched
the biblical philosophy of La Palmera CCC Ministry, focusing on
the person and work of Christ as the key to understanding and expressing
Christian missions, bringing into the whole Scriptural picture the
developments and values of the Kingdom of God, the role of the Holy
Spirit, and the work of God in creation, becoming therefore more
Trinitarian missionary work.
Two biblical distinctives are particularly important for us: INCARNATION
and SACRIFICE. Incarnation helps us to take the world and
civil society seriously, and be engaged with the world as church, not just
as individual Christians. Sacrifice is the criteria by which we evaluate
all mission: the climax of the mission of Jesus on the cross. This central
focus of mission saves us from the mistakes and prejudices of some of our
cultures, which could lead us away from the central concerns of God’s
will for humanity.
Lucho and Lorna believe the process of community development as a missionary
tool applies not only to the world around them, but also to the Church in
its life and being. And because we are part of the generation of Christians
that have produced this statement of transformation “THE WHOLE
GOSPEL FOR THE WHOLE PERSON” and we are also the ones who
wrestle with the Scriptures in searching for the biblical path of obedience
in this area. This is why we welcome as many praying friends, supporters,
sponsors and team workers as the Lord leads to join us in this pursuit of
many practical expressions of Christian care provided to the excluded, and
vulnerable. We acknowledge the anointing of God in us to love our neighbor
and preach the Gospel while “ being transformed into his likeness
with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord who is the Spirit”.
(2 Cor. 3:18).