ENLACE’s Executive Director, Ron Bueno, praying with pastors at a previous retreatOnce a year, the ENLACE staff has the opportunity to spend three days in close fellowship with pastors and leaders from all the ENLACE church partners who are daily working to transform their churches and communities. This annual time of learning and sharing nurtures and motivates us all to move forward in the transformation that God has allowed us to start in this country.
The first retreat took place in 2003 and was attended by 20 people from five churches, as well as six ENLACE staff. Now, seven years later, we find ourselves knocking at the door of the 2010 Pastors and Leadership Retreat which will be attended by 120 people from 25 churches, as well as 20 ENLACE staff that will act as workshop facilitators. Participants are expected to participate in the workshops to assess this year’s accomplishments, evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses, and formalize their plans for 2011.
Pastors and ENLACE staff during a workshop session
Each of these churches realizes that they are not the only ones that have been doing what that are doing in their communities. There are others. They realize that they have gone through difficulties, but also they have had the blessing of truly being a part of their community and helping their community to change its situation. Alfredo Vargas, Director of Operations
This year’s retreat is called, “Lead Like Jesus,” and for the first time, the event is being organized by the pastors themselves. A Pastoral Committee, comprised of seven strong leaders, has been meeting diligently to prepare speakers and plan the logistics of the retreat. This important time of introspection, reflection, and sharing among individuals from different churches and communities allows us to capture ideas, share experiences, and strengthen ENLACE’s processes.
We ask for your prayers for December 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, that each pastor, leader, and ENLACE staff will be renewed in their heart and in their commitment to “Lead Like Jesus.”