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Lucho & Lorna established The Bolivian Community Project (BCP) in the early 90’s, and have provided a very important affirmation to the many ministries that evangelicals in general and, specifically in the Christian Brethren missionary history (with which they are fully identified), have been carrying out for hundreds of years in the Two-Third World mission field, but had remained silent about it in some quarters lest they be misunderstood as weakening their commitment to preaching the Gospel. BCP ministry, as a First-World based support agent, has fundamentally facilitated the development of a community Christian cultural center in Trinidad-Beni, Bolivia involved in critical areas of felt needs such as education, health, recreation, personal development, building development, employment and Christian witness, reflecting Biblical Kingdom values such as grace, mercy, justice, integrity, equality, respect, etc. BCP “recognises that enabling people to experience Christ’s Lordship is the key to wholistic ministry”. This has included the Biblical MUST of the church planting and identifying the vital role of the Holy Spirit in bringing the experience of transformation especially to the poor. Our biblical understanding of community development has been explored in the realm of economics and environment. The themes of God as Creator and we humans as stewards for creation have emerged clearer and explain the basis for our sponsorship and short term volunteer programs. As it is written: “HE HAS DISPERSED ABROAD, HE HAS GIVEN TO THE POOR; HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER”. This has enriched the biblical philosophy of BCP’s Ministry, focusing on the person and work of Christ as the key to understanding and expressing Christian missions, bringing into the whole Scriptural picture the developments and values of the Kingdom of God, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the work of God in creation, becoming therefore more Trinitarian missionary work. Two biblical distinctives are particularly important for us: incarnation and sacrifice. Incarnation helps us to take the world and civil society seriously, and be engaged with the world as church, not just as individual Christians. Sacrifice is the criteria by which we evaluate all mission: the climax of the mission of Jesus on the cross. This central focus of mission saves us from the mistakes and prejudices of some of our cultures, which could lead us away from the central concerns of God’s will for humanity. BCP believes
the process of community development as a missionary tool applies
not only to the world around but
also to the Church
in its life and being. And because we are part of the generation
of Christians that have produced this statement of transformation “ THE
WHOLE GOSPEL FOR THE WHOLE PERSON” and we are also the ones
who wrestle with the Scriptures in searching for the biblical path
of obedience in this area. This is why we welcome as many praying
friends, supporters, sponsors and team workers as the Lord leads
to join us in this pursuit of many practical expressions of Christian
care provided to the excluded, children, vulnerable and disabled.
We acknowledge the anointing of God in us to love our neighbour
and preach the Gospel while “ being transformed into his
likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord
who is the Spirit”. (2 Cor. 3:18).
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