My name is Ruben De Jesus and I am the church planter along with my wife, Andreza and three other couples of a Hispanic church plant called VIDA in Bluffton, SC. For the last 10 months we have been building a core team, relationships in the community, and getting ready for launch. God has blessed us by bringing three couples that are committed to serving and are now ministry leaders in our Outreach, Discipleship, and Family ministries. I as the Lead Pastor am doing most of the vision casting, teaching, and fellowship, along with Andreza. These couples make up our core team and with their different passions and gifts, they fit the Values of VIDA which are being a vital church in the community, integrated with the family, developing people, and accepting everyone, which translates nicely into Spanish Speaking of which, VIDA means LIFE in Spanish and the name comes from John 10:10b.
As far as building relationship we have been praying and talking with a property manager of an apartment community about the possibility of serving her communities and she has allowed us to host two block parties. VIDA has been partnering with Crosspoint (our partner church) and other churches in this effort. The apartment manager has also introduced us to the owners of the management company who are believers and they have given us the open door to serve all three of their apartment communities in town. In July we will doing VBS, along with partnering with a medical ministry that will bring their trailer to provide health screening. In the fall we will be starting ESL classes, a child tutoring program, and a bible study in their club houses.
Lastly, we are planning to launch our weekly worship service on September 26th. We had acquired space at Indian Hill Baptist church in town, which they are part of our Association and Convention. The pastor and leadership have given us an office, space and time for Sunday and mid week services, practice time for our worship team, and whatever else we might need.
God is moving and opening doors.
For the love of God and People (Mat.22:37-39).
Ruben De Jesus, lead pastor of VIDA
PO Box 732
Bluffton SC 29910
vidabluffton@gmail.com
