Carlos & Angela Zuniga, and their 3 children
Honduras
Honduras
BACKGROUND
Victor and Virgilia Almendarez, are national Hondurans who, in 1998, began full-time ministry with Mission Doors [international ministries of the Conservative Baptist Church] to plant churches by extension in communities where there was no evangelical work and to train new church pastors in the rural mountains of western Honduras. For the past 24 years he and his wife have walked, rode bus, rode mules, whatever it took, to preach the gospel throughout the province of Lempiras. God has been faithful to His Word and now there are 45 established churches [congregations] each with their own trained layman pastor as a result to Victor’s ministry. Victor now has a continued training program for these pastors equipping them to reach out to their surrounding communities that have not heard the gospel. The vision and enthusiasm of these pastors and their congregations to share the gospel with others is remarkable. The boldness and willingness to sacrifice so others have a chance to hear the gospel is readily apparent. This past year they estimate that over 3000 heard the gospel for the first time and over the year 1500 have accepted the Lord.
God has given Victor a “vision”, that in the next 10 years, some 100 new churches will be established in the province of Lempiras. With this in mind, he has chosen 5 pastors who feel called to this ministry of evangelism. These men will step out in faith trusting the Lord to supply the means enabling them to be in full time ministry. One of these men is Carlos Zuniga.
CARLOS ZUNIGA
Carlos was considered one of the most notorious criminals in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. He was considered so dangerous that even the drug cartels had a hit on him. He was captured and placed in the section of the penitentiary where all the drug dealers were housed. The guards told the men to take care of Carlos. They beat him so severally that Carlos was left for dead in the middle of the courtyard with multiple lesions and fractures. The guards removed the lifeless body and put it on a slab of concrete in the morgue. It was around midnight, while a guard in the morgue was making his rounds, that he heard a moan saying “my God, help me.” The surprised guard went over to where the sound was coming from and saw it was Carlos. The guard was a believer, having been led to the Lord by Victor. The guard led Carlos to the Lord and Carlos made a promise that he would serve Him the rest of his life. Carlos was not taken to a hospital for medical help for God miraculously healed Carlos of all his lesions and fractures. After Carlos completed his seven years sentence he prepared himself for ministry by attending a Bible school and being discipled by Victor. He began his ministry as a lay pastor in a remote area of Lempiras.
Since Carlos responded to God’s call to full-time evangelism and church planting, God has used him to plant four new churches. Carlos definitely has been given the gift of evangelism. What a voice the Lord has given him! The power and authority by which he speaks is God given. For CTK Arlington, it is a privilege to be a part of Carlos’s ministry, both financially and as prayer partners.
Carlos is married and has 3 children: Angela, his wife; two sons, Linder Abshalom and Joshadac Azarel; and a daughter Nahomy Shinai.
Victor and Virgilia Almendarez, are national Hondurans who, in 1998, began full-time ministry with Mission Doors [international ministries of the Conservative Baptist Church] to plant churches by extension in communities where there was no evangelical work and to train new church pastors in the rural mountains of western Honduras. For the past 24 years he and his wife have walked, rode bus, rode mules, whatever it took, to preach the gospel throughout the province of Lempiras. God has been faithful to His Word and now there are 45 established churches [congregations] each with their own trained layman pastor as a result to Victor’s ministry. Victor now has a continued training program for these pastors equipping them to reach out to their surrounding communities that have not heard the gospel. The vision and enthusiasm of these pastors and their congregations to share the gospel with others is remarkable. The boldness and willingness to sacrifice so others have a chance to hear the gospel is readily apparent. This past year they estimate that over 3000 heard the gospel for the first time and over the year 1500 have accepted the Lord.
God has given Victor a “vision”, that in the next 10 years, some 100 new churches will be established in the province of Lempiras. With this in mind, he has chosen 5 pastors who feel called to this ministry of evangelism. These men will step out in faith trusting the Lord to supply the means enabling them to be in full time ministry. One of these men is Carlos Zuniga.
CARLOS ZUNIGA
Carlos was considered one of the most notorious criminals in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. He was considered so dangerous that even the drug cartels had a hit on him. He was captured and placed in the section of the penitentiary where all the drug dealers were housed. The guards told the men to take care of Carlos. They beat him so severally that Carlos was left for dead in the middle of the courtyard with multiple lesions and fractures. The guards removed the lifeless body and put it on a slab of concrete in the morgue. It was around midnight, while a guard in the morgue was making his rounds, that he heard a moan saying “my God, help me.” The surprised guard went over to where the sound was coming from and saw it was Carlos. The guard was a believer, having been led to the Lord by Victor. The guard led Carlos to the Lord and Carlos made a promise that he would serve Him the rest of his life. Carlos was not taken to a hospital for medical help for God miraculously healed Carlos of all his lesions and fractures. After Carlos completed his seven years sentence he prepared himself for ministry by attending a Bible school and being discipled by Victor. He began his ministry as a lay pastor in a remote area of Lempiras.
Since Carlos responded to God’s call to full-time evangelism and church planting, God has used him to plant four new churches. Carlos definitely has been given the gift of evangelism. What a voice the Lord has given him! The power and authority by which he speaks is God given. For CTK Arlington, it is a privilege to be a part of Carlos’s ministry, both financially and as prayer partners.
Carlos is married and has 3 children: Angela, his wife; two sons, Linder Abshalom and Joshadac Azarel; and a daughter Nahomy Shinai.
Recent Update:
God has provided funds for Carlos to purchase a used 4x4 pickup; something he has prayed for a long time. He has been doing visitation to new church plants on a small motorcycle, traveling with his wife and two children. If you were to see the terrible conditions of the roads he travels on it is a wonder that he has not had any accidents. Now he can travel safely with his family.
God has provided funds for Carlos to purchase a used 4x4 pickup; something he has prayed for a long time. He has been doing visitation to new church plants on a small motorcycle, traveling with his wife and two children. If you were to see the terrible conditions of the roads he travels on it is a wonder that he has not had any accidents. Now he can travel safely with his family.
Also, funds have been provided to finish putting on a roof of one of his churches. In this church there are over 100 members and we praise the Lord for this provision.
Felix & Noralba Valencia
Ecuador
Ecuador
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What a JOY to have Felix and his family visit us from Ecuador. If you were at the service on June 9th, 2024, you were blessed and you're smiling at these pictures. If you missed it, you can watch it here..
David & Gina Stavros
US/Peru
US/Peru