Compassion for an Inner City Church

What began as a mission to just evaluate a small church in El Paso, Texas, turned into a burden to help a group of hard-working Christians greatly improve their worship facility.  This is Ray Garner and I want to
share with you the burden that God placed on my heart.

Betty and I spent a day in El Paso with Pastor Linby Obando of the Iglesia De Dios Central church and district overseer, Israel Muniz.  Our purpose was to offer advice and to evaluate their current worship facility.  Following the walk-through of the facility, we all gathered in the sanctuary for prayer.  Pastor Obando never asked us for monetary help, but the Holy Spirit very clearly impressed upon me that we should step-
up and help this church with their facility needs.  I was also impressed to share this need with colleagues and friends in the ministry.  Dr. Raymond Culpepper, the Covenant Team Leader for this region and the
First Assistant General Overseer of the Church of God, has fully endorsed this effort and is committed to helping with this project.

Pastor Obando and his family have ministered at the church for the past ten years.  They have made a long term sacrifice and commitment to this congregation. They are hard-working people who not only do pastoral
work,  but also work secular jobs so as not to place a burden on their congregation.  Currently, they have a congregation of about 70 people.  However, their facility is just not large enough for these 70 and certainly
not large enough for any growth. They have the potential to easily double in size, but the small, inadequate facility hampers any growth. They have
had as many as 130 people for services, but there was standing room only. They could not maintain and sustain their growth due to facility limitations. They must update and expand if they are to reach those who
need Jesus and minister to the needs in this community. They currently use a small camper parked beside the church for their children’s ministries.

With your help, we hope to remedy the issue of the small, inadequate facility.  Betty and I, along with Dr. Culpepper, are asking for your help
as we strive to help this hard-working congregation. Please pray for Pastor Obando and prayerfully consider making a financial contribution toward this very worthy endeavor. They have the willingness to work
but need our help with the means to meeting their needs. No contribution is too small.  Obey God and seek His will concerning your contribution to this project.

With love and concern,
Bishop Ray and Betty Garner