The Cristo El Rey Guatemala Story:
Christ the King has been working with the Christian mission in Chimaltenango, Guatemala for over 15 years. We take annual teams to build homes, beds, roofs, preach, teach, feed and encourage. Christ the King also provides annual financial pastoral support for Pastor Erika and many CtK members support the work of the school.
The mission consists of Cristo el Rey Church and La Promesa School. (The Promise). The church and school serve in a very impoverished village just outside the city of Chimaltenango. Most of the children at La Promesa school live in small dirt floor homes with tin sides and roofs. Food and clothing are limited and the extra comforts nonexistent. Average income in these families would be less than $20/month. La Promesa school provides breakfast, lunch and a home snack for every child.
Cristo el Rey Church has been an incredible witness to the community. The church has an average weekly worship of over 100 people each Sunday and serves the community on a regular basis with food, evangelism and encouragement. Through Pastor Erika Chajon, they also oversee the school and its outreach. Both the school and church have been moving from one rental space to another for their entire existence. With very little funds, they have not had the opportunity to purchase land and build a more permanent building.
A non-profit called Matthew 2540 was started in the United States that now helps support the financial needs of La Promesa School. Over the past two years they were able to raise enough money to purchase a 2 acre plot of land for the eventual permanent home of Cristo el Rey Church and La Promesa School. An additional fundraiser was held by Matthew 2540 to build the first phase of a permanent school that can house up to 160 students.
With the opportunity provided with a permanent piece of land, Cristo el Rey Church can now begin to set roots and build its ministry for the future. God’s grace and faithfulness to both the church and school has been incredible over the years.
Recently, the members of Cristo El Rey Church began to build a temporary shelter as their church on the new property where the school is being built. This will allow them to worship out of the rain until enough money is raised to build the permanent building that will serve both the church and the school. The cost of that building will be around $450,000.
How can YOU help?
With the security of permanent land and a strong church and school in place, now is the opportune time for us to invest in helping Cristo el Rey build their permanent church building. They are working hard to put in place a temporary structure while also raising funds toward a permanent one.
Give an extra gift, as you are able, above your regular offering to CtK to this “Build the Church” fundraising campaign between March 16th and April 13th, 2025. You can make this special gift by check marked “Build the Church” or click here.
Invite your friends and family. Share on your social media platforms to invite others to make a difference in building a church in Chimaltenango. PRAY for Cristo el Rey Church in Chimaltenango, Guatemala that they will be encouraged in the Lord and grow as a faithful witness to Jesus in their community.
Pray for Cristo el Rey Church in Chimaltenango, Guatemala that they will be encouraged in the Lord and grow as a faithful witness to Jesus in their community.