The amazing story of Rev. Esteban Park
The story of Faith Presbyterian's ministry to Central America began when Dr. Mark Khil and his family moved to Quincy in 2001. He brought with him a close relationship with Rev. Esteban Park, a remarkable Korean missionary in San Jose, Costa Rica. God gave Rev. Park a heart for the tribes of aboriginal Indians living and in many ways forgotten high on the slopes of the mountainous spine of Costa Rica. They still spoke their tribal languages and knew little Spanish, the language of Costa Rica. Their religious practices were animistic. They had no running water, no electricity, and no health care. Their life expectancy was very short. And they had not heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. By 2007, Rev. Park had planted eight churches on Chirripo Mountain in central Costa Rica, several urban churches in the cities of Costa Rica and had expanded his ministry to Managua, Nicaragua.
Faith Presbyterian Church supports the ministry of Rev. Park with short-term medical mission trips to Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
Postscript
July 24, 2008
Brothers and Sisters,
In August, 2002, the first short-term medical mission team was sent to Costa Rica from the Faith Presbyterian Church, Quincy, IL. Since then, we have continued to visit both Costa Rica for seven times and Nicaragua for four times for the medical/dental mission every year for the past seven years. As Dr. John Scott has said, “We had a great run. We did a lot of very good work, we planted many seeds that will flourish in the future, and we all grew a lot in the process. We have witnessed that our missionary vision and passion has been shared in the community, proclaimed regionally and now worldwide.”
As you might have heard by now, Rev. Park has withdrawn his invitation to us to do further mission work in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. We are all convinced that this is Rev. Park’s final decision.
We continue to hold Rev. Park in the highest regard and godly affection. He has accomplished great things in Costa Rica and Nicaragua and it has been our honor and privilege to serve the Lord Jesus Christ by supporting him and his missionary efforts.
With the closing of this mission venture we are praying to see where God would have us be involved in future mission venues remembering that “….in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
We express our deepest appreciation to your heartfelt prayers, financial supports and encouragement for Costa Rica and Nicaragua mission over the past seven years. We pray that we will continue the good fight and run the race set before each one of us and keep the faith through the grace and mercy of our Almighty God.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ rest upon you!
Dr. Mark S. Khil
Elder, Chairman of the Missions Committee
Dr. John Scott
Chairman of the Mustard Seed Project
Rev. Rodney J. Bakker
Pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church