SERVING THE CHURCH:
Compassion For Our Future Generations
Sarai Rivera
Sunday School Teacher/ Youth Leader
PSU SENIOR CAPSTONE
Class of 2022
About Me
My name is Sarai Rivera, a senior at Portland State University majoring in Community Development. Before transferring to PSU, I received my associates of Arts at Portland Community College. For my Capstone Experience I have continued to volunteer at my church Iglesia de Restauracion Elim located in Forest Grove, Oregon. I have been a member at this church since my childhood. Something about the church always felt like home to me. As I grew up I began to volunteer taking care of kids. As of now I look back to the wonderful memories that lead me to where I am now. I don't like to categorize myself as a religious person but rather someone with faith-based convictions. Serving in two ministries has changed my life and the people around me. Everything that I do I want God to take first place and to take control of everything. Regardless of what I have to do to help others or where I have to go serve the others too. With God’s guidance, I have dedicated my life to serve Him and the people inside and outside the church to make an impact within my community.
Iglesia de Restauracion Mision Cristiana Elim,
Forest Frove, Or
History
IGLESIA DE RESTAURACIÓN MISION CRISTIANA ELIM, FOREST GROVE.
The beginnings of our congregation "Iglesias de Restauracion Mision Cristiana Elim Internacional" was born on September 29, 1996, in the city of Hillsboro, Oregon. With more than twenty-four years of preaching a message of salvation, hope, love and faith. God has blessed us during this time, and this is how our story was formed.
This is how our congregation begins; with a group of five people, in a small space apartment , full of deficiencies, of needs, we did not have an appropriate place to meet, we did not have musical instruments, chairs, and equipment for the church, not enough means to rent a place of worship, we had absolutely nothing. There was only an assurance and confidence that God was with us and that he would bless this work. As the months passed the church grew steadily. A few months later we were able to rent our first location in Hillsboro, Oregon. As the church continued to grow, we had to constantly rent locations for many years.
After having rented for more than twenty-three years, God opens a door for us and allows us to make a purchase of our own location in September in the year 2019, located at 1803 Birch St. Forest Grove, Or 97116. Since that year and until now it has grown, as time goes by God has not left us. There are many brothers who were with us since the start, but are no longer with us. Some have returned to their countries of origin, others God has them serving in other cities with their own congregations, and others have already left for the presence of God, but even so we continue to persevere, working to win souls for the Kingdom of God.When we got our current location, the building was undergoing some renovations inside and out. Thanks to the help of our congregation, we were able to remodel the inside of the building. Since there was a need in the children’s ministry, many people began to get involved as a sign of gratitude towards what the Lord has given His people.
At present our congregation is composed of this way:
The church has a membership of 300 people. It also has a total of 70 people who serve in different areas such as: musicians, multimedia, deacons and deaconesses, Sunday school teachers, youth leaders, and our bookstore coordinators.
IGLESIA DE RESTAURACIÓN MISION CRISTIANA ELIM, FOREST GROVE.
The beginnings of our congregation "Iglesias de Restauracion Mision Cristiana Elim Internacional" was born on September 29, 1996, in the city of Hillsboro, Oregon. With more than twenty-four years of preaching a message of salvation, hope, love and faith. God has blessed us during this time, and this is how our story was formed.
This is how our congregation begins; with a group of five people, in a small space apartment , full of deficiencies, of needs, we did not have an appropriate place to meet, we did not have musical instruments, chairs, and equipment for the church, not enough means to rent a place of worship, we had absolutely nothing. There was only an assurance and confidence that God was with us and that he would bless this work. As the months passed the church grew steadily. A few months later we were able to rent our first location in Hillsboro, Oregon. As the church continued to grow, we had to constantly rent locations for many years.
After having rented for more than twenty-three years, God opens a door for us and allows us to make a purchase of our own location in September in the year 2019, located at 1803 Birch St. Forest Grove, Or 97116. Since that year and until now it has grown, as time goes by God has not left us. There are many brothers who were with us since the start, but are no longer with us. Some have returned to their countries of origin, others God has them serving in other cities with their own congregations, and others have already left for the presence of God, but even so we continue to persevere, working to win souls for the Kingdom of God.When we got our current location, the building was undergoing some renovations inside and out. Thanks to the help of our congregation, we were able to remodel the inside of the building. Since there was a need in the children’s ministry, many people began to get involved as a sign of gratitude towards what the Lord has given His people.
At present our congregation is composed of this way:
- Pastor: Jeremias Diego
- Elders and Help: Pascual Machic and Joel Sacayon
- Treasurer: Mateo Machic
- Secretary: Maria Elena Diego
- Direct Assistant: Francisco Diego
The church has a membership of 300 people. It also has a total of 70 people who serve in different areas such as: musicians, multimedia, deacons and deaconesses, Sunday school teachers, youth leaders, and our bookstore coordinators.
Mission Statement
Our church is a hispanic evangelical pentecostal church. We believe that the Bible is the written Word of God, inspired and the only infallible and reliable. There is one God, eternally coexisting in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We aspire in unity of the community that there is still hope in humanity. Regardless of who you are or what past you hold, we warmly welcome all as Jesus did for His people.
Our church is a hispanic evangelical pentecostal church. We believe that the Bible is the written Word of God, inspired and the only infallible and reliable. There is one God, eternally coexisting in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We aspire in unity of the community that there is still hope in humanity. Regardless of who you are or what past you hold, we warmly welcome all as Jesus did for His people.
RESTAURACION KIDS
Children's Ministry
The greatest legacy one can pass on to one's children and grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one's life, but rather a legacy of character and faith.
- Billy Graham
Why / My reason
I’ve been serving in my church's children’s ministry since the year 2016 as a kids care volunteer. It wasn't until the year 2017 where an unfortuate event impacted the whole perspective of the children ministry. On April 11th 2017, Janet Duran along with her older sister passed away and since then I have learned to value and cherish each life within the children's ministry. It might not seem like what I do is much, but I know that even spending quality time with my students brings joy to them. Society often forgets the lives of the young ones when they don't see that they’re the roots to our future. Our children need to prepare for what the outside world holds for them individually. In our children's ministry, we create a safe and loving environment for all our children. Teaching through biblical and moral lessons. Our Escuelita Biblica is a home of 60 children and continues to grow with God's grace. |
Activities
My activities in the children ministry consists of:
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Plan of Action
Behind the scenes in our children ministry, we are limited to funds. Being a Hispanic church, we don't have connections in resources and we are limited to many other things. We have to buy supplies out of our own pockets and it's been like this since the beginning. I knew that there had to be resources to get some supplies. Becoming a Sunday school teacher made me realize that using my bilingual skills I had a lot to offer in my church’s ministry. I put to action reaching out to small organizations and was able to provide our students with the utilities they deserve.
Through my experience with this local community church I planned to exercise the following University Studies goals:
Communication: Being a good listener to the kids needs when it comes to supplies or other materials and also through sharing values when teaching the children.
Critical Thinking: Learn to ask question and find resources to help out our children's ministry
Behind the scenes in our children ministry, we are limited to funds. Being a Hispanic church, we don't have connections in resources and we are limited to many other things. We have to buy supplies out of our own pockets and it's been like this since the beginning. I knew that there had to be resources to get some supplies. Becoming a Sunday school teacher made me realize that using my bilingual skills I had a lot to offer in my church’s ministry. I put to action reaching out to small organizations and was able to provide our students with the utilities they deserve.
Through my experience with this local community church I planned to exercise the following University Studies goals:
Communication: Being a good listener to the kids needs when it comes to supplies or other materials and also through sharing values when teaching the children.
Critical Thinking: Learn to ask question and find resources to help out our children's ministry
Juventud Elim Oregon
Youth Ministry
“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
- 1 Timothy 4:12
Why / My reason
Although I’ve been serving in the children's ministry for many years, I was called to serve to be part of the youth committee in the beginning of January 2021.This transition was a big change for me as I now was working in a more complex environment. Today's youth is struggling, whether its social expectations, metal health, or any other barrier. I knew from the start that there was nothing I could offer these young lives, but my prayer and the example I can set to them. It's been difficult for me to connect and create events throughout the year due to COVID restriction. Thankfully, with everything reopening I have taken the challenge to step out of my comfort zone and create someone new and life changing for our youth. |
ACTIVITIES
My activities in the youth ministry consists of:
|
Plan of Action
Within my journey in working with our youth ministry I began to see the relation in using conversational processes to address complex problems such as homelessness and poverty. And since I volunteer at two be part of the youth leadership I have the flexibility and authority to create events that involve primarily our youth members. This year I decided to focus not only on our people but also remember that they were people outside of our church who are in need. Hence, I had the opportunity to host and create a community breakfast in the Forest Grove area.
Planning event > meal planning preparation > collect donations > organize volunteers > have the heart to serve others
Through my experience with this local community church I planned to exercise the following University Studies goals:
Ethics/ Agency/ Community: The power of using ACTION within my youth and also outside of my congregation, in acknowledging community.
Diversity/ Equity/ Social Justice: Seek relationships and learn different points of views from individuals inside and outside of our congregation. Also, teaching our youth about social issues and the beauty of having a heart to serve others in need.
Within my journey in working with our youth ministry I began to see the relation in using conversational processes to address complex problems such as homelessness and poverty. And since I volunteer at two be part of the youth leadership I have the flexibility and authority to create events that involve primarily our youth members. This year I decided to focus not only on our people but also remember that they were people outside of our church who are in need. Hence, I had the opportunity to host and create a community breakfast in the Forest Grove area.
Planning event > meal planning preparation > collect donations > organize volunteers > have the heart to serve others
Through my experience with this local community church I planned to exercise the following University Studies goals:
Ethics/ Agency/ Community: The power of using ACTION within my youth and also outside of my congregation, in acknowledging community.
Diversity/ Equity/ Social Justice: Seek relationships and learn different points of views from individuals inside and outside of our congregation. Also, teaching our youth about social issues and the beauty of having a heart to serve others in need.
Reflection
Challenges
The hardest part of this experience was balancing time. It's easy to say we were compromised to do so much, but with so much to hold it becomes difficult to balance. Being a full time student with two jobs and serving full time at my church was hard to balance, but not impossible. What helped me get through hard times was to remind myself that God made time for everything. Keeping a positive mindset and constantly reminding myself about the outcome was what pushed me through it all.
Success
There were numerous successes throughout this experience. The biggest lesson I learned was to take risks and to ignore what others might think. I’m proud of stepping out of my comfort zone to influence others to follow those steps. Always keeping the name of the Lord as the center of everything, I am here truly because of Him.
Where I want to go next
My deepest desire is to continue to serve in my church. No matter where I am called to be, I want to serve with all my heart. Also, getting others involved about what is going on in the outside world. Take action on social issues and pray for everyone. To be able to serve others is a privilege and an honor and to put yourself in other people's shoes is something that I want to do for the rest of my life. Become an effective agent of change through impacting young lives in setting a good example to believers and nonbelievers. We are all called to set a good example and be the light to those that surround us.
The hardest part of this experience was balancing time. It's easy to say we were compromised to do so much, but with so much to hold it becomes difficult to balance. Being a full time student with two jobs and serving full time at my church was hard to balance, but not impossible. What helped me get through hard times was to remind myself that God made time for everything. Keeping a positive mindset and constantly reminding myself about the outcome was what pushed me through it all.
Success
There were numerous successes throughout this experience. The biggest lesson I learned was to take risks and to ignore what others might think. I’m proud of stepping out of my comfort zone to influence others to follow those steps. Always keeping the name of the Lord as the center of everything, I am here truly because of Him.
Where I want to go next
My deepest desire is to continue to serve in my church. No matter where I am called to be, I want to serve with all my heart. Also, getting others involved about what is going on in the outside world. Take action on social issues and pray for everyone. To be able to serve others is a privilege and an honor and to put yourself in other people's shoes is something that I want to do for the rest of my life. Become an effective agent of change through impacting young lives in setting a good example to believers and nonbelievers. We are all called to set a good example and be the light to those that surround us.