Church Planting in Honduras

Above photo: Pastors from five countries ready to celebrate the dedication of the new mission church in La Paz, Honduras.
Story and photos by Jana Inglehart except where otherwise noted

The new mission church in La Paz, Honduras

Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!

Psalm 96:2-3 (ESV)

Nicaraguan Missionary Pastor Junior Martinez has faithfully been visiting members, teaching and preaching in La Paz, Honduras, for years, even during the recent lockdowns. The fruits of his pastoral care and outreach to the community were evident in the overflowing crowd at a recent church dedication. With a capacity of 120, the new sanctuary was packed with worshipers. Dozens more gathered outside the facility to join in the celebration and sing praises to the Lord.

Rev. Junior and Rosa Martinez
The ribbon cutting (notice the carving on the church doors)
A packed sanctuary
Members sing praises to the Lord

The dedication of this new worship facility was the highlight of the recent Honduras FORO, held in person in the country for the first time in over two years. Pastors, missionaries and visitors representing the United States, Belize, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic and Honduras were on hand for the celebration.

Missionary Pastor Herb Burch delivered the sermon
The altar is prepared
Rev. Junior Martinez blesses the communicants
Rev. Ted Krey greets members following the service

The u-shaped compound includes a parsonage, a church and an adjacent multi-purpose fellowship area with a kitchen and restrooms. On the side of the church, double doors open to the fellowship area, which serves as extra seating space for the future growth of the congregation or large events. This is the 1st church building dedicated in Honduras with a worshiping congregation and pastor.

The fellowship area adjoins the church and has kitchen and bathroom facilities

Despite the challenges of lockdowns, construction on this facility moved steadily along since the ground-breaking ceremony in September of 2018. We are thankful for the faithful members of the Honduras FORO who spearheaded the project. They met regularly with the Honduran church workers and LCMS missionaries to assess the building progress and address related problems and concerns.

Inside the sanctuary November 2021 (Photo: Tom Fenstermacher)
The church building in November 2021 (Photo: Tom Fenstermacher)
Groundbreaking in September 2018 – Rev. Brian Roberts (holding the shovel), the head leader of the Honduras FORO, has been instrumental in pushing this project forward. We thank God for his leadership. (Photo: James Krey)

In addition, one FORO member, Tom Fenstermacher, made numerous trips to Honduras, staying months at a time over the past few years. His goal was to oversee the construction and ensure the project was completed on time. Thanks be to God for all who were involved in this labor of love.

Tom Fenstermacher (left) joins the congregation in singing
Pastor Junior Martinez (right) thanks Tom Fenstermacher for his work

We pray that this facility will be a gathering place for generations to come, where God’s people will Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! Psalm 96:2-3 (ESV)

A young Honduran Lutheran celebrates with cake following the service

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Jana Inglehart

Jana Inglehart serves the Lord through The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) as the Regional Communication Specialist for the Latin America and Caribbean region, based in the Dominican Republic.