Costa Rica
Mission District
- Population: 4,658,887 (59% urban)
- Major City: San José (1.4 million)
- Evangelical Christians: 14.8%
- FM Work Opened: 1990
- Organized FM Churches: 11
- FMC Membership: 927
- Ordained Ministers: 5
- Ministerial Candidates: 5
- Director: Dr. Kiuberth Zapata
- Missionaries: Dennis & Kyle Leon
- Ecclesiastical Accountability: FMWM through Latin America Area Director Dr. Delia Nüesch-Olver
Origins
In early 1990 a group of some 300 adults who had formerly been part of the Methodist Church heard about the Free Methodist Church from Spanish speaking Free Methodists in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and expressed interest in affiliating with a holiness denomination. Free Methodist missionaries studying language in Costa Rica at the time made contact and began attending services. Later the area director visited the congregation’s leadership and took steps to establish a formal relationship between the Free Methodist Church and the congregation. In October of 1990, this group was approved as a mission district under Free Methodist World Missions.
Present Ministries
The Costa Rica Mission District is experiencing a new fervor, unity and mission. Embracing the work in Panama and Nicaragua has been a catalyst for growth in Costa Rica. Teams of people have gone to the two neighboring countries to hold retreats for youth and women and classes to equip pastors and lay leaders. Dennis Leon, a former champion surfer, is planting a network of new churches on the Pacific coast. Three groups have started already, two in beach towns and one following up contacts in the capital city, San Jose.
