Heart4theCity: A New Cafe

Focus on Gabriel and Fabiola B.

When we first met Fabiola B. (don’t get confused, this isn’t Fabiola Wolyn) she was a single mother that moved into the house next to our church. She and her one-year old daughter started coming to our church and she dedicated her daughter and herself to the Lord.

After some time, she met Gabriel and they fell in love, but then they moved in together and things soon went downhill. After coming to us for counseling they decided to do a “re-start” and he moved out, began to focus on seeking God, decided to give His life to Jesus and was baptized. Then they were engaged and have been learning helpful relationship skills as they prepare to be married next month.

We invited Fabiola B. to enroll her daughter at the Christian school that World Impact started (where all of our children have gone) and she has been growing leaps and bounds academically, socially and spiritually. She is so fun to watch worship!

We got to cheer Fabiola B. and her daughter on as she won the “Student of the Quarter” award for her Kindergarten class.

Ministry Center Renovation

Another cool connection in this story is that Fabiola B’s old house has now become our new ministry center…

A volunteer group from Northern California helped us paint the outside of the house taking it from an eye sore to something that can now be used to bless our community. We also painted the entire inside and have all new window coverings and additional parking for our church.

Café

We are now working at fund-raising appliances and furniture so that we can open a café in the fall.

If you are interested in helping with this project, there will be details at the end of this update.

After all of this work was done Fabiola B., Gabriel and their daughter came and painted the gate around the church property (which now includes this new ministry center).

Health & Wellbeing Ministry

The first ministry that was launched in the ministry center – but now is being housed in our main church building – were our exercise classes (part of the Health & Wellbeing ministry that was recently launched to minister to the community). We offer stretch classes and step classes (like Zumba).

Vacation Bible School – Kid’s Club

Leading up to Easter we had our annual outreach in the park across the street from our church. There were over 100 people that came out. This event helped us to build new relationships with families in the community, some who have now connected with our weekly ministry. We now have two more countries represented at our church!

We had a core group of volunteers helping with this event. Fabiola B. provided some practical help by bringing our son, Beniah, along with her daughter to be a part of the event after their school let out.

Easter – Gabriel’s Baptism

Gabriel powerfully shared his new faith and passion for God so boldly at his baptism. Fabiola B’s family came out to support him on this special day.

English Ministry

Fabiola B. and Gabriel have also helped us launch the new English ministry at our church. Our goal is to do a better job discipling the youth and adults who prefer English, but still love being part of a Spanish speaking church while also expanding our reach to friends, family, classmates, co-workers and neighbors who speak English.

Stories of redemption, hope and growth – like Fabiola B. and Gabriel’s story – are what keep us going after 16 years of ministering in the city. For every hurt heart, broken family, or addiction to overcome there is healing and restoration in Christ Jesus!

Thank you for praying for us and for supporting this ministry to some of the darkest and most neglected neighborhoods of Los Angeles and beyond.

Are you interested in helping us launch our café in our new ministry building?

Here are some of the slides from one of the vision presentations prepared by the "Cafe team" at our church (they are in Spanish, but hopefully give you an idea of some of the dreaming and planning that is taking place)…