Our Church Plants

Iglesia de San José de la Cuesta

 

Formally organized in October 2025, our third church plant in San José de la Cuesta represents the growing integration of 99 Farmers’ agricultural training and discipleship efforts in central Honduras. Located between several farming communities, San José de la Cuesta has become a natural hub for ministry and training activity.

 

99 Farmers has been active in the region for several years, training farmers in El Junco and El Socorro de la Peñita. In San José de la Cuesta itself, the first farmer training cohort is nearing completion, and a second is already being planned. A Women in Agriculture Discipleship Group began meeting recently, bringing together women from surrounding communities for study, prayer, and mutual support.

 

The planting of this new congregation is made possible through the partnership of Zion Reformed Church of Ripon, California, whose faithful support continues to strengthen the work of the gospel in rural Honduras.

Pastor Gerson Gutiérrez

Pastor Gerson Gutiérrez was born and raised in San José de la Cuesta, where he continues to live and work. He came to faith in 2015 and soon felt called to serve his community through ministry and teaching. After completing three years of theological study in 2019, he began serving among a small group of believers who have gathered in San José for many years.

 

Gerson has worked in agriculture his whole life and understands firsthand the challenges local farmers face. His involvement with 99 Farmers allows him to combine agricultural development with gospel ministry—helping strengthen both the spiritual and economic life of his community as the new church takes shape.

Iglesia de la Cayetana

Our first church plant in La Cayetana launched in August 2024, exemplifying 99 Farmers’ strategy inspired by the legacies of faith and farming so many enjoy along California’s CA-99. This initiative marries agricultural training with discipleship to establish a sustainable and thriving church community. 

 

Iglesia Ebenezer provides local support and accountability, ensuring deep community integration. First Presbyterian Church in Ripon enhances this effort with additional resources, mission teams, and leadership development. 

 

99 Farmers continues to train and organize local farmers, promoting sustainable agricultural and spiritual growth. This collaborative effort cultivates a thriving community where faith and farming intersect.

Luis Soriano, an experienced church leader, will be planting a new church in La Cayetana. When approached about this opportunity, Luis fell in love with the community and felt called to serve there. His extensive background in church leadership makes him an excellent fit for this new role.

 

Luis, along with his wife Wendy and their young daughter, will work closely with First Church in Ripon and Iglesia Ebenezer. Building upon the work that 99 Farmers has already done in the community, they will focus on establishing and growing a vibrant church with an emphasis on evangelism and discipleship.

PAstor Luis Soriano

Iglesia de la Tigra

Launched in September 2024, our second church plant in La Tigra further exemplifies 99 Farmers’ commitment to integrating agricultural training with spiritual development. SEPE, a local seminary, provides essential theological training, deepening the church’s spiritual foundation. Iglesia Emanuel in Siguatepeque ensures the church is aligned with the community’s needs through local leadership and accountability.

 

Escalon CRC in Escalon, CA, supports this effort by providing resources, mission teams, and leadership training, crucial for the church’s long-term  sustainability.

 

This partnership approach in La Tigra creates a community where agriculture and faith grow together, strengthening both the land and its people.

Juan Carlos Vásquez

We have been training farmers in La Tigra since 2021. Historically, this community had a small church led by a missionary pastor. However, when the pastor had to return to the U.S., the church was left without leadership. In partnership with Iglesia Emanuel, Escalon CRC, and MEDA Seminary, we are thrilled to announce that Juan Carlos Vasquez will now serve as the pastor.

 

Juan Carlos is a graduate of our farm training program and initially stepped up to assist his church during the leadership gap. Married for 20 years to his wife Marisol, and blessed with three sons, Juan Carlos feels a strong call to ministry. He will now lead the church in La Tigra while attending seminary to further equip himself for full-time ministry.