Costa Rica—Discovering Gems in The Net

By Jorge Parrott

Costa Rica is full of beauty with its people, amazing landscapes, rich history, and strong prophetic destiny. Costa Ricans call themselves “Ticos.” They love family and they love life. Sure, there are challenges. Yet that’s where we, the body of Christ, have a great opportunity to enter in.

This land is also known as “Pura Vida,” or pure life. This saying has been in use for over fifty years and means much more than just the literal term. It also means to be thankful to God for your life, and to remember and pray for those less fortunate. It speaks to being content, as the Apostle Paul learned. Whether he was being abased or abounding, he writes in Philippians 4:13 that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Costa Rica has no military, but a growing army of intercessors and five–fold ministry leaders stand for truth and righteousness. In II Chronicles 20:20 we receive this clear vision: “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.” Many prophetic words have been spoken over Costa Rica and its beautiful people.

Strengthening and Casting the Net

As disciples of Jesus, we are called to help fulfill the Great Commission. We are commanded to go into all the world and share the good news of Jesus. As Matthew 4:19 exhorts us, “Then He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’” In our missions work in sixty-eight nations, we are called to bring change by taking people into the presence of the Lord to be transformed as individuals—and then bring transformation into each sphere of influence.

We trust the Lord for divine strategies as He connects us with many who are hungry for more of the Lord through deep and life-long friendships. It is koinonia in action across the globe to build this “net.” We are called to build people, not buildings or ministries, and strengthen the local church on a global scale. Pray into how you can join us in this great adventure!

This ministry takes much prayer and listening to the Shepherd’s voice and “wind” of the Holy Spirit. We are called to connect and fasten the diverse parts of His body together into this supernatural tapestry in our MorningStar global prophetic community.

What Does Learning How To Love Mean?

“Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21).

We desire to “see everyone complete in Christ.” Bob Jones was asked, “Have we learned how to love?”—and so are we. As we learn to love, we pray, we ask questions, we listen, and we observe the fruit and the pain. Then we wait on the Holy Spirit and prophesy God’s redemptive plans for each person’s life by releasing faith, encouragement, exhortation, and hope into their lives (see I Corinthians 14:3). We want to make the desert bloom and leave the person we minister to better than when we met them. As we pour ourselves out, He fills us again and again.

We had a great time visiting Sandra Quesada, our Hispanic overseer, who lived and worked at MorningStar’s Campus in Ft. Mill, SC for eight years. She now lives in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. Sandra continues to serve MS/CM Missions in many Spanish-speaking nations and is a professor at the MSU College of Theology. With Sandra, we prayed and strategized for 2017.

Out There Ministries International Missions Base

We also visited Nathan Dodge, former MSU and Special Forces graduate, who serves as the Assistant Director of Out There Ministries International, founded by long-term MorningStar member and missionary, Cliff Willis. Cliff has invested in many years of prayer and has a great vision for one hundred and sixty acres of mountain land. Out There Ministries International is called to reach and disciple the young of the nations. This mountain is in the beginning stages of development, with Prayer Mountain being the highest point. Dorms, businesses, worship, and a school are planned. Several friends of the ministry have plots of land being developed for their residences. We encourage you to visit their Facebook page at Out There M.I. (Ministries International).

Nathan Dodge is spending eight months a year there training and discipling young adults. He is doing a great job getting these young people to spend much time in prayer and worship.

Costa Rica is a True Friend of Israel

In Genesis 12:3 we read, “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Costa Rica proves the truth of that Scripture as it has continually stood with Israel and the Jews.

In July 2015, Costa Rica became the 33rd country to launch a pro-Israel caucus. Costa Rica’s Embassy is the only one in Jerusalem at present. Costa Rica is one of Israel’s best friends in the world, standing with Israel since 1948. Jews came here many centuries ago fleeing persecution from Spain and Europe.

Looking to the Future

This nation has had free elections since 1889, making it one of the most stable nations in Central America. Costa Rica places great importance on education, the environment, and is the most energy independent nation on earth.

Costa Rica does have challenges. As modernization expands, a larger population also sees expansion of secular influence while the rural areas maintain conservative values in the midst of more poverty than in the cities. Ticos tend to be soft spoken and generally want to avoid conflict. Pray for strong leaders to stand up to the establishment and poor management practices. There is a division between Catholics and Protestants that often divides families.

Being the world leader in energy independence, and the stable, generally healthy political climate along with steady economic growth, make Costa Rica a wise choice for ministry expansion in Latin and South America. We invite our Partners to travel with us to Costa Rica.

Remember Your Brothers Who Are Poor or In Chains

Please pray for our teams working in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa with the persecuted and refugees. Proverbs 19:17 says, “He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given.” We ask your help to keep them warm during the winter with heaters, blankets, and food—and Jesus. Many are coming to the Lord from out of Islam, and they need your prayers and generosity.

We invite you to join us on a great faith adventure. Many churches and pastors use our team as their own Missions Department and save valuable funds. Contact the Missions Office at 803-802-5544 ext. 392 or by email at missionsbase@gmail.com. Sign up for our free Missions online newsletter at https://cmm.world. Like our Facebook Missions page at https://www.facebook.com/MSCMmissions/.