Called, Equipped, Sent: A Growing Witness in Panama

In Panama, the work of the church is growing steadily, shaped by a clear focus on discipleship, leadership development, and a simple but effective model of evangelism that is reaching people where they are.

The Panama Annual Conference is investing deeply in forming both clergy and laity for ministry. In partnership with Asbury Theological Seminary, the conference is currently leading a Deacon formation course, with 17 students on track to complete their training by the end of the year. At the same time, the conference continues to strengthen its School of Ministries for laity, now in its second year, equipping lay leaders to serve actively in the life and mission of the church. Additional sacramental training has further expanded the conference’s capacity to care for congregations and support emerging leaders.

This intentional focus on leadership development is closely tied to how the church is growing across the region. Rather than relying on traditional structures alone, local congregations are engaging in relational evangelism through “Houses of Peace,” small, home-based gatherings that serve as entry points for discipleship, pastoral care, and community transformation. These groups have become a cornerstone of the conference’s ministry, creating space for new believers to encounter Christ and begin their faith journey in a personal and accessible way.

The results are evident. New believers are preparing for baptism, families are being transformed, and individuals who first encountered the church in a home gathering are now stepping into leadership roles themselves. The model is simple, reproducible, and effective, allowing the church to multiply its impact across communities.

One story reflects this movement clearly. Mari Luz, a nurse originally from Colombia, felt a prompting from God while at home: “Go to a church.” Acting on that call, she searched for a congregation and found one in the city center. She arrived in tears, seeking God, and that day gave her life to Christ. After entering a process of discipleship and being baptized, her growth did not stop there. Within a year, she became one of the most fruitful leaders in the conference, now leading multiple house groups and helping others encounter the gospel. Her story is one of many that illustrate how God is raising up leaders from within the community.

Church planting remains central to the conference’s vision. Through evangelism, discipleship formation, leadership development, and the launch of new congregations, the Panama Conference is building a foundation for long-term growth. Their priorities for the coming year include expanding into new cities, strengthening organizational structures, and working toward greater financial sustainability, including the future acquisition of church properties.

This growth has not come without challenges. Most congregations currently meet in rented spaces, and financial resources have not kept pace with numerical growth. Even with these constraints, the conference continues to move forward with clarity and faith, supported in part by connectional partnerships such as the Trinity Conference, which has helped with essential needs including rentals, utilities, and leadership expenses.

Behind the progress is a shared commitment from leaders across the conference, including the Board of Ministry, pastors, and lay leaders, along with the support and leadership of Conference Superintendent, Luciano Pereira da Silva and Bishop Kenneth Levingston. Together, they are cultivating a culture where discipleship is lived out in everyday spaces and leadership is developed from within.

As the Panama Annual Conference looks ahead, its path remains clear: invest in people, expand the reach of the gospel, and trust God to provide what is needed for the next season.