Jhonatan Rojas serves as a pastor in Santa Cruz de La Sierra, Bolivia, working to unify the congregation around the mission of God. Yohanna, Jhonatan’s wife, uses her gifts to raise up leaders among the youth of the church. She sees serving in this way as a privilege and a way to express her love for God.

Jhonatan and Yohanna have trusted God through times of change in their personal lives and in their ministry. 

Originally from Venezuela, Jhonatan made the difficult decision to move to Bolivia nine years ago—a move that required him to leave Yohanna and their daughter until they could join him later. God has blessed their trust and willingness to follow His lead. 

Navigating Conflict

When Jhonatan first arrived in Bolivia, the congregation was divided. He wanted to bring healing to the church, but unity proved difficult. Jhonatan felt stuck and needed tools to help him navigate conflict and bring change.  

Through PLI training, Jhonatan learned about leading change for the sake of the mission of God. “There is only one mission and we need to be united in this mission. We need to work together in the same direction… In my church, we were fighting against one another and not celebrating what God was doing between us,” he shared.

Jhonatan led change in the congregation carefully, casting vision for the mission of God while listening and walking with people. This process took time.

Uniting People in Mission

Eventually, with much guidance and prayer, the congregation stopped “fighting each other,” and unified,  “working with the love of Christ so that the people outside [could] see this love in the church,” Jhonatan explained. 

This transformation has not only brought unity within the church, but has been a witness to their community. “It is not only that the doors of the church are open, but that the church is going to the community…working together to look outside the church for the people that don’t believe in Jesus.” (Jhonatan Rojas)

The people in the church Jhonatan and Yohanna serve forged a relationship with the public library and began holding activities there. The community’s response has been overwhelmingly positive and the church has begun to see people come to faith.

Ministry leaders around the globe feel stuck. They need tools to help them navigate conflict and change and unite their churches around the mission of God. Your prayers and donations help PLI meet that need through biblically-based training that crosses cultural and denominational barriers. 

Thank you for investing in ministry leaders in the US and around the world by partnering with PLI!