FAQ's

More info to come, but for now here are a few FAQ's (not in any particular order):

Q: Will you be leaving to a missions field?
A: No, our missions field is right where we are in Vancouver, WA, and we believe the Lord has us here for an indefinite time, until He shows us something different.

Q: What will you be doing?
A: Pretty much what we've already been doing, only hopefully more of it! We are working to raise up the Hispanic ministry in the church that we attend, Evergreen Bible Church. With the approval of the leadership and the congregation, we began this ministry in September 2008.


Q: Will Jose be able to quit his night job with its difficult schedule?
A: No, we are not able to make any changes in employment yet.

Q: What does your ministry look like?
A: Weekly worship services in Spanish at 11am while EBC worship services take place - we meet upstairs in the youth room. Jose preaches and leads worship. We now also have two Life Groups meeting Wednesdays and Fridays; Jose leads the Friday group and they meet in different homes. Our leadership team meets monthly to pray, plan, and discuss. The ministry looks like a mini-church, where members are discipled/shepherded by one or more leaders. One of our goals, however, is to seek consistent unity with EBC as we are still "one church, two languages."

Q: What are you trying to accomplish?
A: In a nutshell, Matthew 28:19-20, only in Spanish! Here is an excerpt from the proposal written in 2008 before we began:
The Vision
**In obedience to God's command in Acts 1:8, expand EBC's borders by challenging the body in reaching the needy group of Spanish-speakers with the gospel, here in our own community
**That EBC's Spanish-speaking neighbors have a church body where they will be able to worship, serve, and grow in their walk with Christ (and perhaps even learn a little English along the way, which would further assist them as they adjust and strive to succeed in this country)
**That EBC have a ministry for the Latinos/Spanish-speakers in such a way that EBC remains one church, under the same leadership, with the same theology - that the Spanish-speaking body of believers be united in brotherhood with the rest of the body at EBC

If anyone has any other questions, leave a comment and we'll answer!

All About N.I.C.E.

Here you can read all about the missions agency we just joined. These are some excerpts from their website:

Beginnings:
Nearly a half century ago, a group of faithful pastors were concerned that many communities in the Pacific Northwest that did not have independent, Bible teaching churches. They determined to work together to plant churches and assist struggling churches in those communities. The result was the birth of Northwest Independent Church Extension (NICE) in 1958.

Today:
In the years since 1958 God has allowed us to plant over 100 churches, place missionary pastors in another 100 small, struggling churches, and assist many, many others in their growth and development.

Our mission is to plant and serve independent, Bible preaching churches throughout the Northwest. We have men strategically located throughout the area to assist you and your church in planting new churches, finding a pastor or interim pastor, pulpit supply, leadership training, outreach ministries, Bible conferences, and counsel and encouragement.

And you can read a little bit about the Hispanic ministry with NICE here.

Our December Newsletter...

It’s time once again for an annual update letter and we have much exciting news to share! On March 6 our son, Daniel Isaac, was born! We praise God for a great delivery (aka “epidural”) and a healthy boy to delight (and tear up) our house. We were also blessed with a visit from Ruth’s sister and niece to share in and provide support during that time.

Over the summer God led us to move to a new apartment where we are thrilled to have more space for our growing family, as well as the lovely perk of enjoying a swimming pool. Both girls have learned to swim now.

Fall brought the start of another school year as well as the girls’ birthdays. Rebekah, now 7, continues in the Spanish Immersion program in first grade. Isabella, now 5, was accepted for early entrance to kindergarten and is also in the Spanish program. It has been fun to see the girls read and write in both languages, and to hear them begin to speak Spanish again. Please pray with us that God will give us wisdom in raising kingdom servants.

José survived a difficult early summer as for several weeks he undertook four jobs (yes, it was possible!). Thankfully since late summer he has been back to the routine of just two jobs (teaching Spanish at a Christian high school, and night janitorial work). Unfortunately as his home country was suffering political unrest, he was unable to make a visit this year. Our hopes are that next summer all five of us will be able to go. Please pray with us that God will give grace to José and provide a more normal work schedule.

Both José and Ruth have been so blessed to continue to work in the Spanish ministry at our local church for over a year now. We have enjoyed the involvement with Spanish speakers and have witnessed four individuals come to Christ! Moved by compassion for José’s difficult schedule which keeps him from dedicating more time to this ministry, and by the vision to reach Spanish speakers to provide them with a Bible-based church, the missions committee has asked us if we would consider joining a missions organization so that through the organization they might provide us with a monthly offering. We have prayed and agreed that this may provide José a fulfillment of his desire to spend more time in ministry, and that the organization suggested would be a good fit for us. So now we are in the process to join the Northwest Independent Church Extension (N.I.C.E.). NICE is a church planting organization with a Hispanic department, and we are excited to serve God along with them. Please pray with us as we take these steps.

This month we celebrate the birth of our Savior, our God-with-us, and we pray that together with us you will experience the joy!
With love in Christ,
José, Ruth, Rebekah, Isabella and Daniel Alvarez