The Church under the Pines

The Church under the Pines in Honduras

On Mother’s Day in Honduras we were part of the church that meets under the pines in Yuscarán.  This church was started by a Honduran couple with a vision for reaching areas with the Gospel that don’t presently have a church.  You would have to drive for 15-20 minutes from the nearest town which is Yuscarán. 

In driving this mountain road you would easily drive by it not knowing that you had just passed the Church of the Pines.  Was it really meant to be that way in the early church?  In reading the account of Justin Martyr written in 151AD it would seem that the service was quite simple and to the point.  You can read his account below. 

This past Sunday a lady came for the first time to the church and asked Alexandra where the church was.  She had mentioned it was her first time and a little embarrassed, she asked where it was located as she didn’t see it from where they were standing.  Alexandra’s reply was, “Señora, if you are a Christian, you are the Church”.  She stayed and enjoyed our gathering. 

The music department of the church consisted of one lady and her two daughters who     each led a song for those assembled.  We sang “A cappella” and it sounded beautiful as it intermingled itself among the whispering of the wind in the pines.We had a boy take his baseball cap and it served for us to take an offering to help those in need in the church as we learn from Justin Martyr. 

Justin Martyr was also known at St. Justin (AD100-165) He was by his own confession a Gentile, who was considered as one outside the faith, who was seeking Truth through various philosophers until one day he met up with an older Syrian Christian who mentioned that the testimonies of the Apostles and the writings of the prophets were more reliable that the reasoning’s of the philosophers of his time.  Today it might be the philosophy of those who say we came upon this earth as a happenstance over billions of years.  To them we might reply like Justin Martyr learned…the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets are more reliable and trustworthy.   They present us the same philosophy today that Justin Martyr rejected in the second century. For his faith he was ultimately tried in a Roman court of law and was beheaded for his faith in AD165.  His writing of the early church “service” is interesting and worth reading.  It follows below:

Weekly worship of the Christians

    And we afterwards continually remind each other of these things. And the wealthy among us help the needy; and we always keep together; and for all things wherewith we are supplied, we bless the Maker of all through His Son Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Spirit. And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons. And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succors the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need. But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Savior on the same day rose from the dead. For He was crucified on the day before that of Saturn (Saturday); and on the day after that of Saturn, which is the day of the Sun, having appeared to His apostles and disciples, He taught them these things, which we have submitted to you also for your consideration.

We do seek your comments and if you’ve read this article you have thoughts and questions as well.  How beautiful it is to see the simple faith of these people and their worship towards God.  If you should so feel moved in knowing that you’ve been blessed of God and need to share your blessings with those less fortunate, you can do so on this same page at the donate now site.  Simple secure instructions will await you as to how to become one of our monthly consistent partners helping this ministry.

Follow us again and may God grant you light as you continually seek Him for daily guidance

In Joyful Service for our Lord,

Mateo