Iglesia Evangélica Pentecostal Las Acacias
- Caracas, Venezuela
Organizational Overview
Founded in 1954, Iglesia Evangélica Pentecostal Las Acacias (Las Acacias Pentecostal Evangelical Church) is a vibrant and multifaceted faith community with close to 10,000 members, based in Caracas, Venezuela, dedicated to living out the teachings of Jesus Christ and serving its surrounding communities. Established with the vision of being a transformative presence locally and globally, Las Acacias aims to foster spiritual growth, social engagement, and holistic care through a variety of programs and initiatives. Their mission is deeply rooted in worship, evangelism, discipleship, care and community service with the ultimate goal of establishing the Kingdom of God in the hearts of individuals and throughout society. Las Acacias offers a wide range of ministries that cater to spiritual, social, and physical needs, addressing the complex challenges of its community. Through strategic alliances with health centers, theological training institutions, and rehabilitation programs, the church provides medical services, educational opportunities, and support for vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and those battling addiction. Their outreach efforts extend through local partnerships as well as a growing online presence, impacting nearly 10,000 individuals in Caracas and connecting with a global audience. Las Acacias' commitment to serving both the spiritual and practical needs of its members and the broader community demonstrates its dedication to creating lasting, transformative change.
Beneficiary Population
- Urban Poor
- Children & Youth
- Women
- Families
- Leaders
Focus Areas
- Spiritual Transformation & Faith Communities
- Leadership Development & Training
- Community Development
- People & Family-Centered Development
Organizational Track Record
Las Acacias Pentecostal Evangelical Church has a rich history and significant impact over the past several decades, transforming from a small group of 15 believers into one of the largest evangelical churches in Caracas, Venezuela. Founded in 1954 by Scandinavian missionaries Ruth and Ingve Olson, the church has grown steadily under the leadership of Pastor Samuel Olson and his wife, Nancy Gallardo de Olson, since 1980. Today, Las Acacias is a vibrant community with close to 7,000 worshippers attending services, supplemented by 2,000 members participating online and through house churches. Over the years, Las Acacias has built a reputation for holistic ministry, addressing the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of its congregation and the wider community. The church has initiated significant outreach programs such as the "Hogar Vida Nueva" rehabilitation center, the Centro de Bienestar Integral (CBI) for affordable healthcare, and numerous food security initiatives. With a team of over 100 employees and 600 volunteers, Las Acacias has consistently impacted thousands of individuals, serving 16,702 people in the last year alone through its spiritual programs, counseling services, medical outreach, and social aid projects. Despite political instability, economic crises, mass migration, and the challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, Las Acacias has continued to grow and adapt, reaching people not only in Caracas but globally through its strong online presence and discipleship initiatives.
Key Leader Biosketch
José Joaquín Cabeza Romero was born on July 5, 1973. He is a devoted husband, father, servant, and professional in Administration (B.A. in Administration, specializing in Marketing from the Universidad Simón Rodríguez). He possesses the ability to lead and manage projects and programs in the social sector. His passion lies in leading teams and inspiring everyone who works alongside him, guiding them towards the collective achievement of organizational goals and objectives. He cherishes family time, loves God, and follows His teachings as life principles. With over 35 years of professional and ministerial experience, he served as the general manager of Hogar Vida Nueva, an addiction rehabilitation center, from 2000 to 2015. Later, he took on the role of Finance Manager for the Iglesia Evangélica Pentecostal Las Acacias from 2015 to 2022. Currently, he serves as the Ministerial Manager of IEPLA (from 2022 onwards) and the National Manager of Bokitas Foundation (from 2019-2023). Over the years, he has been actively involved in various areas of the congregation, including missions, pre-marital counseling, youth, evangelism, social action, and has held executive roles during various periods.
Funding History with Camino Alliance
At the end of 2023, Las Acacias Pentecostal Evangelical Church was awarded a $45,000 USD grant through Camino Alliance to expand its holistic outreach and evangelism efforts in Caracas. The primary focus of this project is threefold: to address food insecurity and malnutrition in fragile urban communities, to improve maternal health, and to strengthen the church’s evangelistic and disciple-making impact. With the funds, Las Acacias will serve over 2,500 people in impoverished neighborhoods, including Las Quintas, Los Sin Techo, Primero de Mayo, and Santa Eduviges. A significant aspect of this initiative is tackling child malnutrition, particularly among children under five, as well as pregnant and lactating mothers. The project will involve 250 children from over 80 families in a targeted nutrition program, alongside training 300 mothers in nutrition and breastfeeding techniques. This initiative is designed not only to offer essential care and sustenance but also to be a means of spreading the gospel and growing the church’s community, addressing both physical and spiritual needs. As a result, the church aims to integrate 200 new members into discipleship programs, with 100 children regularly participating in Christian education.