The Stories We Carry

Hey everyone! I’m Jeremy, the Content Developer at Believers Church. This past weekend, I had the incredible opportunity to visit Mosaico Church just outside Nashville, TN, with some amazing staff and volunteers. Mosaico is a global partner of ours that primarily serves a Spanish-speaking congregation, welcoming people from across Latin America. Recently, they’ve seen a significant influx of immigrants from Venezuela. Our hope was to serve them while they hosted a Vacation Bible School (VBS) for the kids, and it turned out to be a transformative experience for me.

 

As I prepared for the trip, my focus was mainly on gathering content to share back home, capturing the joy of the kids and showcasing our church’s global impact. I usually approach these experiences with a checklist: cameras, microphones, lighting—making sure everything is set for filming or photos. But once I arrived, I found my perspective shifting. I started to feel a deeper sense of empathy as I engaged with the kids, filming their laughter and silliness, which reminded me of capturing moments in our own NextGen Kids classrooms on Sundays.

 

One of the highlights of the weekend was everyone learning the memory verse, Philippians 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” This verse resonated with me more as the weekend progressed. The VBS theme, “Start the Party,” was fitting, as the celebration continued with a festive dinner on Saturday night for staff and volunteers, featuring traditional dishes like pozole, arepas, and tequeños. I sat down with a couple who shared their experiences, and we laughed about the mildness of the pozole—apparently, they were cautious about how spicy “the Americans” could handle!

 

As the evening unfolded, the atmosphere grew more serious. Some members of Mosaico began sharing their harrowing journeys to the United States, primarily fleeing Venezuela due to severe economic and political turmoil. One mother recounted how she and her two daughters traveled on top of a freight train called “The Train of Death” for four days in blistering heat, enduring unimaginable hardships. As I listened, I felt the weight of their stories and realized that to film these moments would be insensitive; it was vital to simply be present and absorb the reality of their struggles. As a father of two daughters, I couldn't help but relate deeply to their fight for a better future.

 

Mosaico Church serves as a refuge for these families, regardless of their legal status. In our conversations, it became clear that the spirit of Philippians 4:4 is alive in this community. Despite the tragedies they have faced, the people I encountered remain committed to rejoicing in the Lord. Their faith shines brightly, reminding us that, even through hardship, we can find reasons to celebrate.

 

As I reflect on my time at Mosaico, I’m struck by how much we all share as human beings—our hopes, dreams, and love for our families. We’re more alike than we often realize, and the stories we carry, while unique, connect us in profound ways. Let’s continue to rejoice in our shared faith and support one another, both near and far. Thank you for being part of the Believers family and for helping us make a difference in the world!