Pastor Hector

About Me
I like to play baseball a lot and behind my house there was a baseball field where a Christian baseball team made me play with them. They preached to me everytime I played and invited me to Church services. That was the way God used to bring me to Him. I received the calling when I was the president of the youth department and later on I became a youth pastor. As the situation in my country worsened, I was thinking of traveling to the U.S. and on 3 occasions I prayed and asked God if it was His Will. God showed and confirmed me His calling to this holy ministry. I gave up emigrating to the U.S. and since then I have been serving the Lord full-time - not as the youth pastor, but as the pastor of the whole church of Chivirico. We then moved from Maisi, Guantanamo, to Chivirico to serve the Lord here.

Currently, I am the pastor of the church here in Chivirico. As for the challenges, I would say I face many. This place is very idolatrous, with witchcraft, homosexuality, drug use, alcoholism, child abuse, and more.

Current role and challenges
Another challenge has been that after coming here, I developed a minor prostate issue, and many of the brothers and sisters live far away, which makes it difficult for me to visit them due to my condition.

Housing has also been a challenge—the house we live in is not in good condition. When it rains, water leaks in through some areas, and it is a place where potable water is scarce.

But I am convinced that God brought us to this place, and despite all the trials and challenges, God has never abandoned us, and He is working in this place.

About Evangelical Church of the New Pines
Our church is called Evangelical Church of the New Pines (Iglesia Evangélica Los Pinos Nuevos), and here we have a total of 40 brothers and sisters—12 children and 28 adults.

When we arrived here 1 year and 6 months ago, there were only 6 brothers and sisters. But by the grace and mercy of God, He has been adding to the church, and now we are a total of 40 members.

2025 July Update
I would like for you all to be praying for a situation that is greatly affecting this community, and that is the drought. We live in a place where the water we receive comes from springs, and since it hasn’t rained, there isn’t much water. Sometimes we go up to two months without receiving water. There are families that have to get through a whole day with just one liter of water to drink.

Richard and Hui

Email: [email protected]

Bio and VIsion
We both are from China mainland and received Christ as Saviour in the United States and Canada. We have two daughters and one son.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Act 1:8)

Current Priorities and Challenges
Our cross-cultural ministry is fraught with challenges. Christians make up less than 0.3% of the local population, making it the hardest place. God has given us wisdom to build friendships with the local people through the loving witness of Chinese believers and the bridge of traditional Chinese culture, bearing fruit. "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; May those who love you be secure!" (Psalm 122:6)

About C&MA
The Christian and Missionary Alliance (the C&MA) in Canada is a group of more than 400 local churches across Canada that aims to be a Christ-centred, Spirit-empowered, and Mission-focused movement in everything we do.

Our ultimate goal is to fulfill the Great Commission and bring Matthew 24:14 to fruition:
The C&MA is taking steps to complete this mission by focusing on least-reached people groups in the world. We aim to challenge our church members to live on mission with God, whether that be in a Canadian suburb or in a remote mountain village in Asia. Join us as we complete God's call to tell everyone about the Good News of Jesus Christ!

Steve & Myra Neufeld

Mobile: 587-377-5013
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.iemission.com

Latest Update
Pray for the preparation for the team leaving on Feb 13.  We are trying to coordinate all the details to do seminars across the country.  Food, logistics, supplies etc.  A big undertaking.

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About Us
Steve was born to a missionary couple working in Northern Canada. At a summer Bible Camp as a boy he chose to accept the gift of salvation. Myra was raised in a pastor’s home and received Christ as her Saviour at a Lindquist Brothers Crusade when she was a young girl.

Steve and Myra were high school sweethearts in Lacombe, Alberta, Canada. They have three adult children, and 8 grandchildren.

The Neufelds have completed their 35 th year in international, transcultural global missions. They left for their first term on January 1, 1989. After language school they served in Lima, Peru until February 1992.

In 1993 they began the EFCCM work in Mexico. Church planting and evangelism was their focus resulting in the beginning of the Agua Viva EFC (now Árbol de Vida EFC) in Hermosillo, Mexico.

In May of 1998 Steve began as Latin America Area Director. He carried this role through to the end of 2020. The focus was to do all he could to facilitate success in ministry through giving visionary leadership in the management and expansion of EFCCM ministry in South America, Central America, the Caribbean and Mexico.

My Current Role in IEM Mission
Steve serves as missionary leading ministries in Cuba and Mexico for The International Evangelical Ministries of Red Deer (IEM Mission). The IEM does not have resident missionaries in Cuba and so Steve is the lead missionary as we solidify and expand our partnership ministries within Cuba. Teams go to Cuba at least twice a year as we serve together with three evangelical denominations in church planting, evangelism, teaching, acquiring house churches and fixing ones they own, finding resources for ministry, sponsoring summer camp, sourcing transportation for pastors and a multitude of other activities all designed to speed along the vision and dedication of our partners in the church in Cuba. A major component of these ministry projects involves facilitating the involvement of individuals and churches. People from Canada, Mexico and Spain working in partnership with each other in any of the countries represented. Mentoring and training present involvement and the next generation.

About IEM Mission
IEM Mission has taken over responsibility for the Encourage Cuba Ministry and the Hermosillo, Mexico ministry from the EFCC. The IEM is committed to making biblical followers of Jesus Christ here and to the ends of the earth. We are focused on pastoral care to Christian leaders, evangelism by all methods, church planting new communities of faith and demonstrating through holistic, compassionate ministry the Gospel to those who are hurting spiritually and physically. We intend to serve globally with boldness, creativity and excellence!