San Salvador, El Salvador
Mission
Iglesia Eben-ezer exists to be a church that proclaims and lives out the values of the Kingdom of God in our community with the goal of transforming lives and our environment.
Vision
To see lives transformed for the Glory of God.
History
Iglesia Bautista Eben-ezer and their outreach to ex-gang members has been ministering in Colonia Dimas in San Salvador for 35 years. Their pastor, Nelson Moz serves as chaplain to the Federal Prison where the Mara 18 gang members are serving time for gang-related crimes.
Upon release from prison, hundreds of men have participated in the church’s rehabilitation and discipleship ministry. Today, 20 men live in the church facility where they provide housing in dorm-style living quarters.
Iglesia Bautista Ebenezer ministers to the families and youth of their colonia, and is engaged in creating a vital faith community that offers hope in a neighborhood destabilized by violence, poverty, and gang activity.
Pastor Moz, Will Gomez, and key leaders in the ministry have been invited to travel to the USA by USAID to participate in forums on curbing gang violence and intervention. They have become an important resource to churches in Latin America engaged in ministry to ex-gang members. Addressing gang violence is one of the key factors that can prevent children and families from migrating out of El Salvador to the USA.
The ministry has established two bakeries to teach the men in their ministry job skills and to provide jobs.
Current Projects
- Housing 20 men in their main location after completing major renovations – Opening second residential home for men
- Establishing a bakery at their new location
- Implementing Small Group discipleship model for their entire congregation
To learn more about their ministry, visit their Facebook page – Iglesia Bautista Misionera Ebenezer
