Not The Tycoon You Expected
When you think of the players involved in high stake, complex, big-city real estate development, you don’t think about a church.You think of business tycoons captured in a TV drama or Hollywood movie.
But big-city real estate challenges are a reality for the urban churches CMI helps develop. And they’re forced to navigate these challenges as part of their calling to be a light for the gospel in the most influential city in their county. In the case of the Norte Church in Quito, Ecuador, Juan Játiva is a key lay leader they count on.
Not The Character Traits You’d Predict: Entrepreneur… Economist… Servant
Juan is an entrepreneur and economist. For 20 years he was the finance manager for one of the largest timber companies in Ecuador. He left there to start his own foreign trade and financial consulting business 15 years ago. And he’s started several other businesses, too.Juan, his wife Cecibel, and three kids have been members of Norte Church since it was planted in 2012. They all serve in various ministries throughout the church—each connected to his or her gifting and passion. They love serving!
And they are serving in an important sector of Quito where Norte is located, thanks to Juan’s leadership. He leads the church’s financial team and, for a decade, has worked hand-in-hand with CMI from the purchase of their property to the planning, designing, and building of all the church’s facilities.
How Juan Leads Big-City Building Projects…Even in a Pandemic
Juan is now guiding Norte Church through one of the most exciting and challenging ventures to date—building a new 5-story Christian Education facility—during a crippling pandemic!So why does he take on this challenge?
He loves using his financial experience and expertise to see the church reach more people in the city he loves! Yes, the details and deadlines are daunting. Yes, the prime location and unexpected pandemic means mounting pressure. But he’s learned something far more valuable than economic principles or financial maneuvers in a decade of church leadership.
He’s tasted of the faithful, generous provision of the Lord for his Church. No mountain too big. No valley too deep. No problem too hard. Time and again, . And CMI has been an integral part along the way. CMI has become more than a partner. CMI is family.
Juan Sees An Even Brighter Future
Looking to the future, Juan has also been instrumental in shaping CMI’s new Quito investment model where Quito churches benefit from their investment and the returns. He knows CMI’s Seed Fund approach will fund daughter churches across the city that far outlive him.“With the Seed Fund, resources will remain here, grow here, and increase our ability to plant churches in our country. From my financial point of view, this is the ideal approach. As the Lord has blessed Norte through CMI’s partnership, we must also bless others,” says Juan. Indeed, the Lord’s blessing continues to abound through you the CMI family, through experienced, humble servants like Juan, through Norte Church, and out onto the streets of Quito, Ecuador.
