Menu

Fernando Rocha focuses on church leadership training in Costa Rica through Academia Cristiana Ministerial (AMC - Christian Ministry Academy).

 

Recent Updates: Rocha Update 2026 September

 

Rocha 202504In February 2023, Fernando and Sylvia moved from their ministry at Ebenezer Church in Tijuana, Mexico to Costa Rica where Fernando is working with 3 other pastors (Edier Urbina, Francisco Bustos, and Jaime Prieto) to provide Christ-centered, Bible-based training to church leaders throughout Costa Rica through AMC.  In December 2024, AMC had its first graduating class from its 2 year program which is derived from GBC's 2 year Discipleship Training Program.  As the Dean of the Academy, Fernando takes a lead role in guiding the academy, organizing the classes, preparing the class resources for both the online and the in-person class meetings, coordinating with teachers, recruiting students from churches all over Costa Rica, and fostering a positive learning environment for each student.  He loves the opportunities to engage more deeply with each student, helping them succeed in the classwork and then incorporate what they have learned in church ministries, in their personal walk with God, and in discipling others.  Fernando is currently expanding AMC's presence on social media (facebook and instagram) because that appears to be a more effective medium to reach and diaglog with busy pastors and church leaders in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Map

Rocha's have been seeking a visa from Costa Rica that would let them remain in the country long term instead of one that must be renewed every 90 days.  They are in the middle of their third application, the first two having been denied because of paperwork issues.  With additional legal assistance on the current application, they hope to receive approval by the end of September 2026.  Pray that the Lord grants them favor with the Costa Rican government officials.

Fernando has also joined the pastoral staff of their local church,  Iglesia Bautista Arraigados
(Rooted Baptist Church).  Both Fernando and Sylvia are active in the church and really enjoying the fellowship and ministry.  Fernando is leading a small home group.  The group is preparing to more actively reach out among their community with the idea that eventually, this small home group could be the beginning of a new church plant.  July 3-11 2026 was a big week for ministry.  Mission teams from Community Bible Church Vallejo and Grace Bible Church Roseville came and joined forces with a couple Costa Rica churches to host a marriage conference, a soccer tournament, a volleyball tournament, and a 3-day youth camp.  Fernando reports that it was a terrific blessing to see the great partnership and fellowship across all of the sponsoring churches as the people served together with joy, to see the participation of those attending the activities, and especially to see and hear the gospel being presented in words and in deeds throughout the week.  God willing, all are looking forward to bringing them together again for future ministry.  After the week was over, ongoing ministry continues, ministering to marriages and families in the church, discipling future leaders and potential pastors, preparing the church plant effort to begin public weekly services next year, and promoting and expanding awareness of the academy throughout Costa Rica.

Sylvia has started a new medication with the hope that by February 2027, she will see improvement in her symptoms.  Their car has begun suffering some transmission ailments that need repair.  Overall, the Rocha's find encouragement in Paul's words from Philippians 1:5 where he gives thanks "because of your partnership in the gospel ..." and they are grateful for the partnership with all those who pray and support them in the ministry that God has given them.

Since over 50% of Costa Rica's population live in the Greater Metropolitan Area of San Jose, the country's capital, Fernando and Sylvia have located themselves in this large urban area in order to facilitate contact with many churches to promote the availability of AMC's training classes.  They are joyfully and gratefully immersed in the life of a church near their home, uplifted by the preaching and worship of Christ as well as the fellowship among the believers and the gospel outreach of the church.

Fernando grew up in Central California and was a gang member starting at the age of 10. The next 15 years of drugs, crime and violence placed him in many areas of the California penal system: Juvenile Hall, California Youth Authority, and finally, California Department of Corrections.  He was a double slave – on one hand to sin and on the other to the State of California. Because of his lifestyle, he was looking at being in prison for life because of California’s Three Strikes Law. Instead, he chose deportation, since he was an undocumented immigrant.

Fernando thought he had everything under control, but it was God’s providence that he would be deported. After having lived in the United States for 25 years, his sudden move to Mexico was quite a shock, and he became depressed and felt lost.  God had placed Fernando in a situation where he had no other option but to look to and to trust in Jesus.  There he found Ebenezer Bible Church and Eagle’s Nest, a colony east of Tijuana. Though Fernando had heard and ignored the gospel throughout his life, God appointed this time for him to understand it.

“When I heard the precious message of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, all I could do was recognize my disobedience and ask God for forgiveness now that I knew that the gospel was real and was for me.”

In the 20+ years since that time, he has been growing in Christ and serving at Ebenezer church, alongside his wife, Silvia.  He was pastor at Ebenezer church for many years, training up Bruce Moscoso who has served as pastor/elder alongside Fernando for several years, as well as other men preparing to become elders to work alongside Bruce.  With Ebenezer Church in good hands, Fernando and Sylvia have moved on to serve in Costa Rica.

Prayer Items:

  • Praise that Sylvia’s medical treatments have improved her symptoms.
  • Praise for Sylvia's growing women's ministry team.
  • For local families facing health crises, unemployment, and other hardships.
  • For the Academy students, the upcoming graduations, and for a small computer lab for the students.  
  • For their small group ministry to continue to grow in knowledge of and love for God.
  • For renewal of their housing lease in November.
  • For a more successful re-application for a long-term visa after the previous one was not approved on some technicalities.

Previous Updates