La Santa Biblia’s worship services are held every Friday in a storage container in Anapra

Early spring of this year resulted in the complete demolition of the buildings where Iglesia Luterana La Santa Biblia worship services, Bible studies and outreach ministries to the surrounding Anapra community.  This has been the final demolition phase before the re-building process could begin.  As part of a multi-year Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care (YLM) Servant Event, project, La Santa Biblia has been working in partnership with Family of Christ Lutheran Church from Ham Lake, Minnesota to raise up a new building for their church.

During this waiting period, La Santa Biblia continues their efforts to take the Good News into the impoverished colonia of Rancho Anapra through different acts of kindness.

During warm days, the faithful remnant meets every Friday under the sun in the empty lot, a 10-foot by 7-foot storage container situated at the end of the lot serving as a backdrop for worship services and special events, such as a baptism that took place a couple of weeks ago.

Baptism of baby Moises took place at La Santa Biblia

With the colder weather, children, youth, women and men all huddle in the cold container as Rev. Stephen Heimer from Zion Lutheran Church in El Paso, TX leads the simple worship using simple children’s Bible story books and a guitar to bring the Word of God to His children and help them praise God through music and prayer.

Due to the lack of shelter, Iglesia Luterana San Lucas, another mission-church partnering with YLM located at Anapra, offered another indoor space for the La Santa Biblia members.  However, due to the distance between the two mission-churches, many families were unable to participate in worship, Bible study and fellowship.  The church members of La Santa Biblia decided it was better to have everyone participate than to use the other facility.  Together, they found a way to continue participating, despite the harsh sun or cold winds.

Children’s Bible story books are used to share God’s Word during the service

Despite the cold weather, lack of stained glass windows and polished wooden pews, the church of La Santa Biblia was truly one of the most beautiful churches one could attend.  It was a perfect picture of what the church is –not a building, but the body of Christ faithfully gathering to worship, praise and seek God through His Word.

La Santa Biblia has been partnering in ministry with YLM for the past ten years, and despite the lack of buildings and resources, they continue to show love, kindness and compassion to their community.  Every Wednesday, they give out cups of soup during the noon hour.  Over 40 kids going or coming from their half day of school receive a warm and filling meal, possibly the only one for the day.  Every Friday, after their church service, they distribute up to 70 food baskets after gathering together for fellowship where everyone humbly contributes with a dish to share.

Earlier this year, they gave out over 170 backpacks filled with school supplies, have been partners with mission teams through YLM in hosting Vacation Bible School where over 60 kids learned more about God’s love for them.

“God’s work hasn’t stopped here at La Santa Biblia just because we have no buildings,” Rev. Javier Lozano shared in regards to the ministry taking place at this seemingly empty lot, “After all, a church is made up of people, not of bricks and mortar.”

The work of God continues at La Santa Biblia despite the lack of buildings.  This humble church continues to rise to the opportunity to share the Good News with those around them in simple ways meant to impact and change lives through God’s love.