By Debora Esther Ulloa Castellón of Santa Barbara, Honduras

Thus says the Lord: Do not let the wise boast in their wisdom, do not let the mighty boast in their might, do not let the wealthy boast in their wealth; but let those who boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am the Lord; I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.

(shared as part of the International Leaders Meeting, June 2025)

Our church invites us to share Jesus Christ, the sacred history, mission, and vision of the church with each of those who desire to find a refuge where they can experience God’s presence in their lives. Many arrive emotionally and spiritually wounded, in need of healing. Families whose homes have been torn apart by negative life circumstances have been affected.

On December 31, 2024, during our traditional Thanksgiving service for all the goodness of our God to our families, we were visited by a woman who had been widowed two years earlier with four of her five daughters, ages 17, 13, 9, 5, and 3.

The theme of this worship service developed by our Apostle Carlos Enrique and his wife Carmen de Mejia was “Faith, Hope and Love” in which they encouraged us that in this year 2025 we allow ourselves to be transformed through faith, placing our hope in God and the power of his love.

During the service, she was able to experience the love and embrace of our God through the praises of worship, the sermon, and each brother who happily greeted her. As part of the worship program, we shared baskets of food with the families in greatest need and some gifts for each child who attended the service, regardless of whether it was their first time attending or if they had been attending the church for some time. This provoked in her and her daughters the desire to continue attending and experiencing the move of God in our congregation.

The sister has continued to attend with her family, and almost six months after visiting us for the first time, she expressed her desire to become a member of our congregation, along with her 17-year-old daughter. We asked her a question during baptism classes: How do you feel in our congregation?

A: I feel very well, accepted and loved by God and by the members of the congregation.

Every day, like a good disciple, she serves in the work of the Lord. Together with her small family, they have found, through faith and hope, God’s unconditional love for all who choose to serve God.

Through these small but significant acts of faith in the life of the church, we can embody the mission of Jesus Christ and, at the same time, our proclamation as the church, transform the lives of the most vulnerable families in our community.

Prayer Phrase

“Bear one another’s burdens…” (Galatians 6:2).

Spiritual Hunger

Jesus discerned hungers of body and spirit, and he fed them through a physical, verbal, spiritual ministry of presence. In a time of listening prayer, ask God to help you discern physical or spiritual hungers of people in your congregation, community, and global family. Invite the Spirit to move you to one hospitable act that “feeds” someone’s hunger today.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.