In 2010, the Nashville flood devastated the building of Fellowship’s local partner, EL Shaddai Christian Church. Two years ago, our body was privileged to give a large donation to El Shaddai leaders, German and Margaret Castro, toward the rebuilding of El Shaddai’s facility. Shortly thereafter, German suddenly passed away due to complications from COVID. We recently talked with Margaret Castro about the rebuilding process and where El Shaddai is in their journey.
Fellowship: Margaret, we would love to hear an update of how the rebuilding of the church is going. Can you tell us where you are in the process, and what it’s been like along the way?
Margaret: Well, we thought the construction would take eight months, and here it’s been over two years since the people of Fellowship gave us such a generous gift toward our rebuild. Of course, German’s death was a severe setback for us as a church family, but we give praise to God for all that he has done and is doing. God has his timeline, and of course it is right on schedule.
Fellowship: How would you describe the challenges you have faced along the way?
Margaret: We’ve seen God help us overcome three major challenges over the last few years. First, of course, was the passing of German, which was devastating to me personally and to all our church body, causing us to walk through a season of deep grief. Then, of course, COVID itself was a great challenge, as it affected our meeting together and the ability to get the rebuild started. Finally, we have been limited by the fact that as a community we are not knowledgeable regarding the building process. We thought the construction would take eight months, but it’s now over two years. As for where we are now in the process, we have recently had an initial walkthrough by the Metro Codes Department, and we are close to moving in. Once a few more details are done, we can call for a final inspection. I’ve learned to not throw out dates, but I’m hopeful we will be in the building by the end of 2023.
Fellowship: That is so exciting! What would you like the people of Fellowship to know as you near the end of this project?
Margaret: Oh, we are so very grateful for the support of Fellowship and so many others. We could not have gone through this experience without your prayers, your encouragement and your kind support in every way. One example is Fellowship member, Tom Moore. He has met with me every week for the last two years, met with contractors, helped with suppliers and been available to us through the entire process. So, he has been an answer to our prayers for sure! That is just one example of how Fellowship has been a blessing to us.
So yes, it’s been a journey of highs and lows, from the surprise and joy of receiving such a gift from Fellowship to the sudden loss of German. But the Lord has helped our faith to remain strong. He is a God of covenants, and we know he will fulfill his purposes for El Shaddai. German and I talked often about the fact that a church building is not the church, it is only a means to serve the church.
Our people have been fixated on the project, but soon our attention will once again be extremely focused on the surrounding community and the vision God has given us to reach the peoples of Central and South America who have immigrated to Middle Tennessee. Currently we have approximately sixty countries represented within our body.
Fellowship: Now that you’re nearly able to occupy the building, what are you most looking forward to?
Margaret: Oh, everything, really! [laughs] You know, when German used to preach, during the spring and summer, there were so many holes in the building that he would have to swat away wasps while he was in the pulpit. This building has no holes! And the new kitchen is so beautiful. One thing we used to do—and we can’t wait to continue—is enjoy a meal together after church on Sundays. It was wonderful as people from different nations hosted it each week. Another thing we are excited about is that we will have a small apartment for missionaries, complete with a shower, so that families can stay with us when they are coming through or when they return from the field. Also, the building is so beautiful that it may be a desirable location for weddings. We will be planting beautiful gardens and landscaping; using it as a wedding venue would help us meet our financial needs as well, which would be wonderful.
Fellowship: Congratulations, Margaret, on a job well done!
Margaret: Lord willing, we will soon have a great big grand opening celebration! We hope everyone at Fellowship will someday be able to see it!
