JACO, MINISTRY AND BASEBALL!
* * * THE COMMUNITY OF JACO * * *
Jaco (pronounced "haw-co") is a small, adventurous town of 20,000 people on the Pacific Coast. It's warm weather, beautiful beaches, surf competitions, steep rainforests, exotic wildlife, and luxury resorts make it a popular vacation and retirement destination for Ticos (Costa Ricans) and foreigners. The population is exploding. Currently there are six high rises under construction in the city limits plus several other new residential developments.
In stark contrast to the beauty and adventure, Jaco is also known for its prostitution, illicit drugs, violent crime, human trafficking, addiction, and homelessness. The sex industry in Jaco exceeds the draw of traditional tourism. In fact, Jaco is the leading sex tourism destination for all of Latin America.
In Costa Rica, prostitution is legal and promoted by the government and the country's top news publications. Prostitutes have organized unions, free medical care, and police protection. Sadly, some Jaco resorts and businesses cater to this industry. "VIP" travel agencies bring thousands of North Americans to Jaco for a "good time." The town doubles in size on weekends, on holidays, and during the busy dry season (Nov-Apr).
The Jaco area has four large squatter barrios (Los Parceles, Cristo Rey, Rio Copey and Bajo del Tigre). In some cases, it’s the “family business.” Due to poor education, people in these areas are limited to jobs that cannot afford the high cost of living in a resort town like Jaco (jobs like cleaning, construction, product assembly, and secretarial support). By contrast, prostitutes can earn 125 times the minimum wage of a housekeeper, making the temptation to sell sex and drugs overwhelming.
In Costa Rica, prostitution is accepted as a legitimate way for women in the sex trade to make a living. These destructive lifestyles have become Jaco’s version of the “American dream,” and have resulted in the rampant crime, drug abuse, illegitimacy, and destruction of the family.
* * * VISION, MISSION & STRATEGY * * *
Homeless services, charitable medical programs, drug treatment centers, government programs, and law enforcement are overwhelmed and underfunded. As Frederick Douglass said, "It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men." By shining the light of the Gospel in the lives of young children in the barrios and preparing them to identify and reject Jaco's destructive lifestyles, we are giving them a "swift sunrise."
God has called us to turn Jaco upside down through the good news of Jesus Christ, just as he used the apostles and the church in Acts 17 to “turn the world upside down.” Biblical truth and education is His vision for our ministry. The mission for accomplishing this is to shine the light of the Gospel (click here) into their lives at a young age and disciple them in Christian character and Biblical family values so they are equipped to reject Jaco's destructive lifestyles of prostitution and drugs. We are eager to encourage these families through character training and education and for God to reverse the devastation. The strategy is to:
I. Use youth sports to build trusting relationships with broken families
and build a presence in the squatter communities.
II. Identify, partner with, and equip local Christian leaders to share
the Gospel, disciple families in Jaco’s squatter communities, and establish Biblical churches.
III. Reunify families where possible and train them in Christian character,
Biblical parenting, acts of neighborly love, and defense of the family.
IV. Provide new opportunities to youth through homework assistance, tutoring,
English lessons, music lessons, skills training (art, sewing, cooking),
internships, mentoring, and on-the-job training.
V. Raise new generations of youth within the slums to become pastors
and Bible study leaders within their
own communities and pass this on to the next generation.
The spiritual battle for the heart of Jaco is underway. Debauchery and serious crime is becoming significantly worse. There are competing drug and prostitution gangs. Murders are more shocking and frequent, as are child abductions.
* * * YOUTH SPORTS * * *
With God’s blessing, direction, and protection, we can turn back the tide of corruption and vice. We are blessed to belong to a small community of Christians living in Jaco year-round. Horizon Church, the only bilingual Christian church in Jaco, is making an impact through preaching and teaching the Gospel, AWANA, youth group, a Christian learning center, Christ-centered youth sports, pregnancy services and food for the poor and homeless, safe houses for trafficking victims, and drug rehab facilities. An army of faithful and loving Christians is fighting the spiritual battle of Jaco.
In July 2023, Ron recognized the potential to disciple the youngest generation in Jaco. He stepped down from Ocean’s Edge and joined the leadership team for the Jaco Royals Baseball Program (www.jacoroyalsbaseball.com). The Royals are a new Christ-centered outreach ministry at Horizon Church. Through youth sports, Ron and the other program volunteers quickly build strong, trusting relationships that reach deep into the heart of Jaco's most vulnerable families. They are taking the Gospel to the players, the coaches, and their families, and beginning to see fruit.
Royals players (children ages 5 to 15) and coaching staff are comprised almost entirely of Costa Ricans and Nicaraguans. The majority of our 55 players reside in Cristo Rey, a squatter neighborhood in the nearby community of Playa Herradura. In 2024, the Royals will begin playing home and away games against larger programs from the capital city, San Jose. These game days will allow for stronger relationships and give our players first-hand knowledge that they can have a future beyond Jaco’s destructive lifestyles.
We are grateful that God called us here to serve Him. He has grown us and increased our passion and love for the people of Costa Rica. We look forward to experiencing a deeper relationship with our Eternal Father as He continues to use us for His glory.
Please follow updates on our blog and on social media. Is God calling you to make a difference in Jaco? Please get involved. There are many ways you can participate and help us turn Jaco upside down.