ENLACE has empowered church coaches all over the world to help churches engage with their communities since 1993.
2018 marks **ENLACE's 25th anniversary**, and we thought some of you might like to know about a few independent sources that talk about what ENLACE has been doing over the years. These scholars are highlighting the fact that a growing number of Pentecostal churches are engaging in community development activities and that they are in effect contributing to broader social change. They also suggest that ENLACE has played a vital role in preparing and equipping these churches to work with community associations and government entities to develop effective solutions to poverty.
Recent Scholarly Works Highlighting ENLACE
*New Centers of Global Evangelicalism in Latin America and Africa* by Steve Offutt.
"Toward a Pentecostal Hermeneutics of Social Engagement in Central America" by Virginia Gerrard-Burnett.(In *New Ways of Being Pentecostal in Latin America* edited by Martin Lindhardt.)
*The Rise of Pentecostalism in Modern El Salvador* by Timothy H. Watkins
This last one is written by ENLACE Director, Ron Bueno, and so not "independent" but his article is included alongside many scholars in the field of Social Change and Pentecostalism.
"Translating Pentecost into Transformed Communities in El Salvador" by Ron Bueno in *Pentecostals and Charismatics in Latin America and Latino Communities*, Néstor Medina and Sammy Alfaro, eds.
Why It's Important
We share these because as an organization, we talk a lot about “impact” and “creating real change.” We want you to know that these and similar words are not jargon to us or used to inflate our effectiveness.
We understand that every resource a donor gives in time and money is precious and hard-earned. Truthful and accurate reporting is essential to this exchange. We choose our words carefully so that supporting partners know that their offerings are well-placed and well-stewarded.
Often "giving to charity" is something we do in lightheartedness like when we run a race or participate in a carwash or sell cookies at a bake sale. These efforts that reflect what it means to be a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9.6-7) are a win-win situation; Joy for the giver as well as the receiver. Last year's Pair Your Potty campaign, with its PoopLoop bracelets and joke list, is a perfect example of this fun.
While we love a good poop joke, ENLACE never forgets that there are serious realities at stake. For every campaign or project for which we raise support, people’s lives and livelihoods hang in the balance. Our work is not a game, and we understand the seriousness of our endeavors.
And so we welcome the magnifying glass of academic scholars and appreciate the work they do! We know that in 2018--25 years after starting our initial project in a tiny village in El Salvador--we will continue our work to create REAL IMPACT and TRANSFORMATION in families, communities and countries!
Come join us!
