By Margarita Campos and Michelle Bueno
As a child, Nuria Reyes learned to be passionate about two things: God’s Word and her family. Through her parents’ examples, Nuria saw that a passion for God and others leads to a life of service. Their faithfulness planted a seed in her that took root and grew deeply over the years.
Nuria became involved in a variety of church ministries; Children’s Ministry, Youth Group, Sunday School, and other endeavors all sprouted from her life as a committed Christian. Eventually she pursued and received a degree in Theology, taught at The Biblical Institute for the Asamblea de Iglesias Cristianas and eventually became the Director of Education for that same denomination.
It was during her tenure as the Director of Education that she met Miguel Duran, a pastor in the San Martin area who had been collaborating with ENLACE for many years. Nuria worked with Pastor Miguel for five years and saw first-hand the impact that was being made in Las Delicias by his congregation, The Good Samaritan Church, and ENLACE.
When Pastor Miguel told Nuria about a job opening with ENLACE that required biblical training, a passionate heart to help those in need and a desire to learn about community transformation, she knew it was for her. Nuria felt a new excitement spring up in her heart. After she was hired Nuria said,
“Working for ENLACE is more than excellent because I don’t just put into practice my studies, but I have learned about community development by serving others and living out the gospel.”
Nuria with church members in El Espino
Today Nuria walks alongside pastors, lay-leaders and whole congregations as they live the passionate journey of demonstrating God’s love. The seed that was planted in her heart from when she was a young girl, has grown into a great, sheltering tree. With a wonderful husband by her side and new baby daughter, Nuria is now passionate about three things: “I’m passionate about the Word of God, my family and my job at ENLACE.”
“Jesus said, ‘How can I describe the kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a tiny mustard seed. Though this is one of the smallest of seeds, it grows to become one of the largest of plants, with long branches where birds can come and find shelter.”
Mark 4:30-32 NLT