by Ben Bradley, BCI Communications Director

As of September, Pastor Israel Becerra has joined BCI staff as a Church Planting Catalyst (CPC). Pastor Israel has planted two churches in Hispanic communities and continues to pastor them both. Kairos Church in Marshalltown was planted in 2016. Bautista Iglesia Hispana in Waterloo was a replanting effort that was lead by Pastor Israel in 2018.

Chase Abner, BCI Lead Church Planting Catalyst is excited to have another experienced church planter join the team to expand our collective church planting efforts in Iowa. In describing Israel’s qualifications for this role, Chase said, “Israel has a heart for engaging new pockets of lostness in Iowa and dreams about new ways of finding and developing church planters. He has a kingdom vision and a servant heart.”

In this part-time CPC role, Pastor Israel will be providing coaching and training for potential church planters as well as empowering BCI churches to take active steps to participate in church planting. “Certainly, Israel will bring a lot experience in church planting strategy to reach Hispanics. However, that will by no means be the extent of his role,” Chase Abner said. “When you spend time with Israel, it’s obvious that he is an influencer and catalyst to gospel ministry wherever he sees opportunity.”