Our First Newsletter

Dear Friends & Family,

During the past six years God has been doing amazing things in our lives and we know that He is working in yours as well. We would love to share with you to what and to where God is moving us.

In the six years that Carlos and I have been married we have had 3 children: Josiah (age 5), Grace (age 3), and Adiella (age 2). We moved from New Jersey to Indiana in 2011 while Carlos worked full-time as a consultant for Eli Lilly Co. In 2012, God created an opportunity for us to work part-time with Hope Church in Indianapolis. At that time Charlie transitioned into a part-time role at Eli Lilly and in 2013, Carlos transitioned into a full-time staff role at Hope Church and resigned from his consulting work. We have loved our time working within the community at Hope Church.

We are excited to share with you a new step in our family’s journey and hope to seek your partnership in what God is doing.

This year we will be taking on the role of Missionary Residents with Envision at the Family Empowerment Center. Envision is a ministry of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. The Family Empowerment Center (FEC) is a community center that serves the neighborhood of Rogers Park. Rogers Park is a community located 10 miles north of downtown Chicago, with an estimated representation of 120 different nationalities and over 40 primary languages spoken. Many of the nationalities within Rogers Park are from unreached people groups, nations that have not heard of the gospel.

The Family Empowerment Center seeks to bring a balance to the people and families it serves by loving its neighbors in a Christ-like manner. The center creates opportunities for those who are disadvantaged and facing greater struggles to attain empowerment and freedom. FEC takes on a parish focus in the community by walking alongside these local families and offering programs such as after-school programs for children, summer camps, and ESL classes for adults. These programs create a safe and loving environment for children to study, getting the help they need while also speaking Godly truth and love into their lives. The ESL classes create opportunities for relationships with adults in the community that can lead to further discussions and discipleship while helping the students adapt and thrive in America. At FEC, there is also a church community, composed of multi-ethnic families, that meets weekly for Bible studies and Sunday morning worship.

As Missionary Residents, our family’s primary goals will be focused on the multi-ethnic community represented within the church at FEC. This position will allow for Carlos to teach, disciple and provide pastoral care to the families represented at FEC. Carlos will also have the opportunity to work with the after-school program, for the purpose of establishing and strengthening relationships among the Latino community.

Sandi will focus on homeschooling and caring for our children. She will continue to learn Spanish and open our home to our surrounding neighbors and community. Sandi will have the opportunity to work with the Sunday school program and women’s ministry at the center.

We pray that you would consider partnering with us and this ministry. Your partnership will allow for families to see and attain the freedom we find only in Christ. Your giving will be used to expand His Kingdom as we share the gospel with the unreached nations represented within Rogers Park.

Many of our new neighbors have never heard of the gospel or been given the opportunity to explore Christianity in their home countries. Now, we have the open door to display Christ's love and provide them the opportunity to proclaim His glory! (Isa. 66:19) We continue to see God’s love through you and others that have been led to partner with us.

This new role is funded by ministry partners and our monthly ministry need is $6,500 per month. Currently, we have been blessed with a support of $3,000 per month. Our remaining ministry support need is $3,500 per month.

We are thanking God in advance for His provision and peace during this transition. We understand that nothing happens without our submission to His will through prayer; therefore we covet your prayers. By God’s grace, we trust that our lives would be used to proclaim His fame and glory.

Partnering through Prayer:

Wisdom in leading our family through this transition and the emotional upheaval that it brings
Provision for housing, praying to be in close proximity to the center
Strength and wisdom in homeschooling Josiah and Grace
God’s leading in building a team of ministry partners
Safe travels as we visit with potential ministry partners in the East Coast and Midwest

Partnering through Financial Support:

If you would like to contribute toward our needs, you can give a recurring gift online or by mailing a check (reference below on instructions on giving). All contributions are tax deductible and a receipt of your giving will be provided for your records.

Thank you for your consideration in partnering with us and we would enjoy hearing and talking with you.

Our personal telephone number is 862-324-6207.

In His Hands,

Carlos, Sandi, Josiah, Grace, & Adiella