A Church and a School - For many years the IberoAmerican Ministries (IAM) Team made up of national workers and expatriates has led a church planting mission within Chile. These efforts began in Maipu, a suburb of Santiago, Chile, in the late 1970s. In 1991, a national pastor from the El Encuentro Church began a new church in the sector of San Luis by first working with the children of the area. San Luis has tremendous social, economic, and spiritual needs. Drug use, crime, and prostitution are part of daily life in this area of greater Santiago. A weekly children's feeding program has served families in the region for years and has formed the foundation from which the church in San Luis has steadily grown.

Partnering with U.S. Teams
With the financial support and dedication of U.S. churches and teams during the past decade, the property for the church building was purchased from the municipality of Maipu. Teams provided construction funds to build the church building, which also led to a project that helped build a school and minister to the community.

Seizing the Moment for a School
The church's long-term presence and solid ministry in San Luis have had a tremendous impact in the community. The nationals have earned the respect of families and the municipality for their selfless work. Seizing the opportunity and favorable community response, the IAM Team built a Christian primary school in San Luis, which opened in March 2004, and now serves more than 500 children and families.

 

 

San Luis School is impacting the community in serveral ways: