Celebrating Hope through Baptism and the Reformed Faith
From an early age, Pastor José Piñero of the Christian Center of Los Teques, Venezuela, recognized that his Christian journey required divine guidance. He developed a deep interest in the doctrines of grace and predestination—key pillars of Reformed theology. Later, while attending the Evangelical Seminary of Caracas, he was affirmed in his commitment to the Reformed faith. A missionary pastor from a Reformed church encouraged Piñero to read works by theologians such as Louis Berkhof and John Calvin, further shaping his orientation toward the Reformed tradition.
Though Piñero initially sought to start an independent church, he soon recognized a need to affiliate with a denomination that could provide him and his congregation with accountability and support. Through Mirtha Villafañe, a CRC church planter and local mission leader with Resonate, and Harold Caicedo, president of the CRC’s Consejo Latino, Piñero found a Reformed community that shared his theological commitment.
In searching for a denomination faithful to Scripture, Piñero recognized that the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA) aligned most closely with that vision. So he led his congregation, the Christian Center of Los Teques, to join the CRCNA through Classis California South.
A Church of Migrants
The Christian Center of Los Teques, said Piñero, is a church characterized by its dynamism and for being a congregation of migrants. Due to the complex sociopolitical context within Venezuela, he said, many families are forced to emigrate, resulting in a constant flow of people entering and leaving the church.
“Venezuela is experiencing a crisis where hopelessness has affected many, and the mindset of many young people and families is to migrate in search of better opportunities,” Piñero explained. This phenomenon has affected the church's dynamics. At its peak the congregation had over 1,000 members, but that number keeps fluctuating due to emigration.
Despite this challenge, Piñero said the church remains active by consistently integrating new members and focusing on discipleship for children, youth, and adults.
“Even with a constant flow of people, we always make sure everyone is engaged in a process of learning and participation in the church, especially the youth,” he stated.
The Christian Center of Los Teques continues to be a home for people seeking to draw closer to the Reformed faith and the love of Christ. Amid this ongoing movement, the church not only persists but also continues to be a place where baptism serves as a public testimony of rebirth into a new life in Christ, as shown in a video of the recent baptisms of several new members.
The Importance of Baptism
Piñero explained that baptism is a seal of union with Christ, symbolizing purification and entry into the community of believers. It reaffirms the commitment to Christian life and serves as a testament to God's redemptive work.
“For us, baptism is a symbol of God's promise, an act that celebrates hope, even in the midst of crisis,” Piñero said.
While many Venezuelans face numerous challenges these days, he added, believers can count on baptism representing an eternal truth: God's grace is ever-present.
“This ceremony is not merely a rite but a declaration of faith that affirms that, despite difficulties, God continues to work in people’s lives,” said Piñero.
Regarding baptismal practices, Pastor Piñero emphasized that his church prioritizes baptism by immersion, but they also accept sprinkling in exceptional cases, such as when elderly adults cannot be fully immersed in water.
Baptism of Children and Adults
Infant baptism underscores the Reformed commitment to faith and God's covenant promise, Piñero said. "It is a reminder that the children of believers are also part of God's covenant,” he explained.
In a country where many churches do not practice infant baptism, the Christian Center of Los Teques stands out, said Piñero, by incorporating its youngest members into the life of faith from an early age. Adult baptism also serves as a testimony of hope, as witnessing adults choose to be baptized as a profound act of faith. “It is a powerful sign of God's transforming grace in people's lives,” Piñero remarked.
Even when members migrate to other lands, said Piñero, he reminds them that their baptism is a seal of belonging to God's family, regardless of where they are. Each baptism is a public celebration of hope in Christ.
Venezuela faces a complex political and economic situation, and the church is not immune to such challenges, he said. The “learned hopelessness,” as Piñero described it, is a palpable phenomenon among the population, but the church remains a place of spiritual refuge.
“Many come to the church seeking hope amid despair. Our challenge is to maintain the conviction of faith in a context where chaos may seem to prevail,” he reflected.
Despite these challenges, the church strives not only to maintain its Reformed identity but also to adapt to its local context, training leaders and preparing migrants to act as missionaries wherever they settle.
Active and Ongoing Training
Piñero also strongly emphasizes the spiritual formation of children in the church community.
“If the church does not attempt to reach children, it is destined to die,” he warned. Through programs like the Bible Museum, where children have the opportunity to teach adults, and the instruction of the Heidelberg Catechism, he seeks to create a strong bond between new generations and their Reformed identity. Additionally, the church organizes activities such as a vacation Bible school program, where children memorize the Nicene Creed and the Lord's Prayer, emphasizing the importance of internalizing the fundamentals of faith from a young age.
“It is crucial that the next generation is well-formed in their faith and Reformed identity,” Piñero added.
Under the leadership and dynamism of Pastor Piñero, the Christian Center of Los Teques celebrates the hope of God's grace, ensuring that every member, from children to adults, continues to grow in faith.
