From Barren Land to "Celebration Sunday" in Xenacoj

We have an incredible update on our mission partnership in Guatemala!

Pastor Marlon and his wife, Marisela, lead Bethesda—a beautiful congregation of believers in the community of Xenacoj, Guatemala. As a bi-vocational pastor and carpenter, Marlon embodies the spirit of his community, balancing his trade with a deep calling to shepherd his people. Our connection to him was truly a "divine appointment," sparked by a Holy Spirit-led meeting between Marlon and Erik Hunt, founder of Hands of Hope International

From this                                                               To this!

High Pointe has been honored to serve alongside Hands of Hope and Bethesda through two short-term mission trips. Last summer, our team stood on a barren plot of land to pray for a future church home. Today, that prayer has been answered!

The journey hasn’t been without its trials. Much like our own building experiences, Bethesda faced hurdles with land acquisition and permits. A drainage dispute halted the construction of Bethesda for weeks, requiring unexpected costs and labor to seal the foundation and create a drainage system that finally resolved the dispute. Because of the generosity of High Pointe’s congregation, we were able to help fund not only the construction of Bethesda but to also fill the financial gap due to the drainage dispute.

On Sunday, April 19th, Bethesda opened its doors for "Celebration Sunday." Pastor Marlon sent High Pointe Church this message of gratitude:

Beloved brothers and sisters, it is with great joy and gladness that I write to you, giving thanks first to God and then to High Pointe for your invaluable and unconditional support in the construction of the church. For us, this is a miracle; we have preached about a God of miracles, and now we see it in the completion of the church.

Dear brothers and sisters, thank you for supporting us as we continue to preach Jesus Christ in our town and beyond. We send you a warm embrace from afar on behalf of the entire congregation of Bethesda House of Mercy.

Go forward, my brothers and sisters, and may the Lord continue to bless you abundantly in the mission of preaching the powerful message of the Gospel until our Lord Jesus Christ returns.

Sincerely,

Pastor Marlon Aquino

Bethesda Church “House of Mercy”

This milestone reminds us of the truth found in Ephesians 3:20-21:

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Join us in prayer:

• For the Community: That Bethesda would be a beacon of Christ’s love, drawing those who don’t yet know Him.

• For the Leadership: That God would grant Pastor Marlon and his team continued wisdom and humility as they serve both the church and the community.

• For the Celebration: That the congregation would feel the joy of their sacrifice as they worship in their new sanctuary.

  
  

God’s global Church is growing, and we are blessed to build it together!

Submitted by Cheryl Moyd, Mission Strategy Team