Introducing Rexdale Spanish New Venture
David and Martha Villacis
Meet David and Martha.
David and Martha lead Iglesia Cristiana Alianza, a New Venture at Rexdale Alliance Church, focused on reaching out to the Spanish community in Rexdale and the surrounding areas.
David was born in Ecuador, his father a missionary pastor. With a lack of leaders in the countryside, David was put in charge of a church when he was 15. Eventually he started to work in missions and planting churches, opening new churches near the capital of Ecuador.
Since being in Canada, David and Martha have planted four churches and have served in over a dozen other churches the GTA. In their last move to the Rexdale area, David and Martha intended to settle in and be part of the Rexdale Alliance Church in Toronto, but God surprised them when they heard that RAC were thinking of reaching the Spanish community around the neighbourhood.
David now leads Rexdale Spanish with his wife Martha, his son Josue and his wife Nadina, his daughter Ruby, and his son Billy and his wife Alexandria.
Rexdale Spanish at a local street festival
This new community has been involved in the local ministries like Neighbourhood Connections Church (NCC, Church and Food Bank) Ontario Housing Outreach (Kendlenton), and Rush Hour (high school outreach). They have started witnessing in street festivals and also do local outreach in the malls and busy street corners.
On March 1st, David's team started streaming their services online, posting them to their facebook page, facebook.com/su.iglesia.cristiana/ . Shockingly, on March 15th Government regulations brought on by the pandemic eliminated all church meetings in the church building. David feels it was no coincidence that they were prepared for this change.
Rexdale Spanish has over 90 viewers on their Sunday services, many from out of the country. They are so excited at this new online opportunity, but also grieve the loss of some of the new people who had been in attendance who they don't have contact information for.
David and his family of leaders are looking forward to a time when social distancing is in the past so they can continue their work in the community.
Excited about the new things God is doing through Rexdale Spanish in Toronto?
Here are some ways you can join them on mission.
Pray.
That they are able to resume contact with their community soon.
That new people who had originally attended would return.
Give.
All donations received are processed through Canada Helps and will receive a tax receipt. The funds go directly to the New Venture to be used toward their development and ministry needs.
Learn more.
Visit the profile for Rexdale Spanish