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2007 - A Year of Partner Expansion, contd. Turning to Latin America, expansion continues there as well. Many of you know that our two key bases of partnership are in the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica. Over the past few years, we have focused on building deep, mutually benefiting relationships with 6 partner churches. This year, we added 2 new partners in the DR and helped resource 3 others in Costa Rica. We also have begun a serious partnership with a wonderful church in Brazil. One key component in the Latin American strategy has been to offer to come alongside the more developed models of wholistic ministry. These churches bring the full gospel message to their communities, including an evangelistic passion and a commitment to social transformation. They also carry the desire to influence their peers and spread the biblical expression of a church committed to serving the whole person. These key models are having a direct influence on another 200 churches through out the Caribbean and South America! The foundational partners are growing and GROWING because they are faithfully living out the Kingdom vision day-to-day! We find ourselves in a season of directing resources to expanding capacity for their separate ministries as well as their church. Both ICC in the DR and Communidad Cristiana Shalom in Costa Rica are bursting at the seams in both church and ministry activities. They show how a church who is serving its community will attract people interested in why the church so generously gives of itself. In 2007, we assisted ICC in Santo Domingo to secure a building close to their main facility. The building will house an expanding Christian school and a medical clinic. It will also provide rent-free space for the gym. As the facility is rehabbed and functioning, income will be generated to pay into a fund that can assist other churches in the DR network with their expansion dreams. In Costa Rica, Roy Soto pastors a church that has seen incredible growth as well. We have financially assisted them in securing property and beginning construction on a piece of land that will house their "light on the hill." Since property acquisition and development is expensive and in most cases outside the reach of local churches, we can plan our role that God has empowered us to play. It has been a pleasure to see ministries like Harvest and Trades, as well as regionals and neighborhood groups, connecting with partners and exploring opportunities to engage in 2007. Also, be sure to check out the Latin American blog and learn more about how the church responded to tropical storm Noel. Many of you have recently learned of the stirrings God has placed in the hearts of Tom and Dee Yaccino, who have served on Willow's staff for 12 years. They will be shifting their responsibilities due to a calling to help equip and engage more churches from the North and South to be in true partnerships. They will still serve Willow as consultants in our L.A. work but hopefully will lead other churches to enjoy the fruitfulness of partnership like they have served us. Nobody does it better! Don't forget that Global Connections and it's group of volunteers lends support to 23 fulltime servants of God who are working with missionary groups in 14 different countries. These ambassadors from Willow serve in very challenging situations. Groups from Willow can extend encouragement to them. Check out our website at www.willowcreek.org/intercambio/servingoverseas.asp. We are pleased to tell you that overall, Global Connections delivered $3.290 million to our partners globally at a cost of 12% of the value delivered. For more information and details on our highlights for the year, please clink on the links below.
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