by Jon Konnerup
In October 2015, I had the privilege of visiting the rugged, rain-forested Central American country of Costa Rica. With its Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, Costa Rica — meaning “the rich coast” — was appropriately named by Christopher Columbus after seeing the gold decorations worn by the indigenous population. Since its colonization in the late 1500s by Spain, Costa Rica remains heavily influenced by Spanish culture. This country, known for its beaches and volcanoes, began to develop in the early 1800s with the introduction of plantations for its infamous coffee; but there is something of much greater significance — its people.
Two million of Costa Rica’s 4.8 million population live in the capital city of San José. The most recent nationwide survey found that 70.5 percent of the population identify as Roman Catholics (44.9 percent practicing, 25.6 percent non-practicing), 13.8 percent claim to be Evangelical Protestants, and 11.3 percent report no religious affiliation.
During my visit, I spent time with each BBFI missionary serving in Costa Rica and was able to see a glimpse of their respective ministries. Allow me to share how God is using them in His plan to reach the people of this country.
I spent a day touring the region of San José where Ramon and Annette Perez minister. This area is very difficult and somewhat dangerous, but the people in their church were loving and kind. The Perez’s have ministered in numerous churches since going to Costa Rica as missionaries in 1979.
Jonathan and Sarah Robertson (2008), along with their children, have embarked on a new ministry of holding Bible studies and leadership training in several area community centers.
Jeff and Maudie Meek arrived in Costa Rica in 1956. Since Jeff’s passing in 2005, Maudie continues to be involved in the work there. She, along with the assistance of several Costa Ricans, leads a correspondence course ministry in the country.
Anna Marie West (1974) stays busy as she works in various churches and ministries alongside BBFI missionaries John and Karry Barnes. She helps train teachers and is very involved in the ladies’ ministries.
I enjoyed preaching in several churches under the ministry of Randy and Sandy Roberts (1988). One church they started has been turned over to a national pastor, and their newest church is growing rapidly. Under their leadership, the BBFI-approved seminary they are involved with continues to train pastors and leaders.
Randy and Sherry Rhoton, who have been in the country since 1986, are doing a tremendous job of reaching Costa Rican people with the Gospel and training them to continue in the ministry. While visiting with them, I spoke at a Saturday men’s breakfast and in a Sunday morning service. I was blessed by the testimonies of those who have come to Christ. God has given the Rhotons and their ministry in Costa Rica a burden to reach into Panama where they have started at least one church.
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An invitation from John and Karry Barnes to participate in the Bible college graduation was the primary purpose for my visit to Costa Rica. For the past three years, John has invited me to be part of this week of fellowship, and this year I was finally able to participate in their graduation ceremony.
I shared my testimony and preached in several churches. It was a privilege to challenge them from God’s Word and encourage the male graduates and their pastors at a special banquet. The ladies had their own special banquet. The next day, there was a luncheon attended by 55 full-time leaders and their wives — all from the Barnes’s ministry.
Evening services during graduation week were filled with anticipation and excitement with many pastors and their church members in attendance. Every night the place was filled with four overflow rooms using closed circuit TV. The music provided by numerous churches was uplifting and God-honoring.
Just 16 months after their approval in 1970, John and Karry began their missionary journey by driving to Costa Rica in 1971. During their first four years there, they established a church in San Sebastian. In 1978, the Barnes started Baptist Bible College and Institute, which has taught the truths of the Scripture without interruption for 37 years. Over 500 men and women serving in nine different countries have graduated from this college. Since that time, a branch of the Bible institute has opened in the southern part of Costa Rica with additional institutes soon to open in the northern zone and in Panama. God has also miraculously provided a youth camp facility, which has been an exciting evangelism and Christian development tool, ministering to over 11,000 annually. This camp, operated and funded by nationals, set a record last year with over 13,000 campers of all ages in attendance. The Barnes want to plant more churches, disciple new Christians, and train more national leaders. There are many areas where this need is urgent. They have built a strong team of faithful, dedicated, and focused servant-leaders. It was evident they are always planning and considering how to better develop more leaders who will be active in all areas of ministry.
The Barnes’s ministry includes 33 churches representing 6,000 to 6,500 people weekly. Churches and missionaries reaching outside the country are served through the Costa Rican mission office. There is a harvest of souls in these churches and camps for students and families on a weekly basis. Discipleship and leadership training are the churches’ main emphases, while the four-year Bible college trains those preparing for full-time ministry. Ministry students are required to work an additional 30 hours per week in their local churches. They also have two Bible institutes designed to help lay people become better servant leaders for God and their respective churches. There are new ministries being initiated, new outreaches being developed, and new churches established each year.
I was blessed by the genuine interest in the things of God, not only from the pastors and leaders, but also from the members — from the parents to the young people. It was heart-moving to see their love for God, for people, for church planting, and for world missions. They shared their longing to reach other cities and countries with the Gospel. Some told me God wants them to be missionaries in other Latin American countries, while others told me of their desire to take the Gospel to Cuba. Right now, the Barnes have three unregistered churches in Cuba with each having an attendance of approximately 75. They had a delegation of seven go to Cuba to be in the end-of-year fellowship meeting among those three churches. These Costa Rican churches have trained experienced young pastors willing to go to Cuba. Many others expressed desire to go to Bible college and then into full-time ministry. Despite the fact I went to challenge and encourage them, I was the one who was encouraged.
I left the country amazed at the Lord’s work there. There are still many unreached cities outside of San José. This Latin American country has the potential to be a hub for mission work not only throughout Costa Rica but in outlying regions. I believe our missionaries have built a solid foundation of strong churches and leaders capable of reaching their own and countries beyond — doing all they can to fulfill the Great Commission. I am always thankful for God’s blessing and work through our missionaries around the world.