The Lutheran Church of Costa Rica (ILCO) and the Southwestern Texas Synod jointly presented a project titled “Youth Formation: Moving toward a sustainable Lutheran Church in Costa Rica.” The initiative is part of ILCO's 2010 sustainability challenges.
 
On March 26, 2009, five representatives from the Southwestern Texas Synod visited the ILCO: Rev. Al & Patty Hoerig, Jack Balsley, Rev. Norm Sulaica and Jeanne Palmer. The objective of the visit was to evaluate the progress of the sustainability project, which was made possible thanks to a special offering from the companion synod.

This initiative will motivate and develop youth capacities through infrastructure improvements at Centro Manu, a training and recreation center, and offer better holistic development opportunities for youth leadership.

The youth formation project is one of the first steps toward the consolidation of a sustainability strategy – “a holistic, sustainable church” that promotes youth formation on all levels, promoting spirituality in service toward a more just and inclusive society.

“We're a church that promotes a vision and an accompaniment that nourishes a spirit of optimism and hope,” said ILCO Bishop Melvin Jimenez.

To confront poverty, exclusion from the formal education system, child labor, family violence, sexual exploitation and drugs, ILCO has taken on the work of encouraging – from a perspective of prophetic service and advocacy work – the promotion of youth leadership and the creation of spaces where abilities and Christian values are promoted through recreation, culture and action.

Jack Balsley commented that the church is challenged “not to look at youth as future actors, but rather actors today and for today.”

As part of their visit to Costa Rica, members of the delegation also visited the semi-rural community of San Martín, sharing with youth and children's groups there. To close the visit, they attended worship service in the urban San Sebastián community of faith, sharing in fellowship and viewing the rotating photo display, a project that will visit all of the communities of faith in the ILCO.

The ILCO gives eternal thanks to our brothers and sisters in Southwest Texas. May God's blessings always accompany them.