Living the Mission: Transforming Lives Through Friendship and Faith

Jonathan Pacheco and his family found purpose through urban mission—restoring relationships and leading others to Christ through meaningful connections.

July 11, 2025 | Panama City, Panama | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division

Jonathan Pacheco grew up in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in his home country of Panama. “I was blessed to have been born in an Adventist home, but I drifted away,” said Pacheco. “When you’re young, many things seem simple, but sometimes you make mistakes that change your life.”

After marrying his wife, Tatiana, church attendance became infrequent. “During that period, we were going through a deep and painful marital crisis,” he shared. With three children—ages 16, 12, and five—Pacheco worked as a licensed medical radiologist and would occasionally attend church on Sabbaths. But after moving farther away, church visits became even more sporadic.

Everything began to change when a friend, who happened to be a pastor, invited them to a new urban missional church project called Conexión7. “When I arrived and felt the warmth of that church community, I sensed a desire to return to God’s ways. We liked the vision of presenting the gospel in a fresh, innovative way and decided to be part of it.”

For the Pacheco’s, it was an opportunity to pioneer a new kind of ministry and fully support it.

“We saw that music played a bigger role in worship and that it focused more on building personal relationships—getting to know people first, then leading them to Christ,” he said. “That perspective really caught our attention. Immediately, we got involved, our children got involved, and we began to feel a revival in our family.”

A Family Transformed by Ministry

Pacheco said his marriage began to heal as they engaged in the discipleship process with the core urban missional team. He began reaching out to professionals and connecting with colleagues in his high-society circles. Soon, he opened his home and started inviting new friends over for meals. Gradually, a small group formed—a space for fellowship, planning community outreach, and introducing the Bible.

“We made an intentional effort to engage the young people and children of our new friends,” he added. Many of those new friends started attending Conexión 7 on Sabbaths, and during the week, they met at the Pacheco’s on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. “We stay active—hosting morning prayer sessions, Sabbath worship, afternoon outreach, and spending Sundays hiking, fishing, or doing whatever group wants to take part of an activity and that brings us closer together.”

“No one leaves the group,” said Pacheco. “Once you step into our home, you’re considered part of the family.” Their home has become a place of discipleship—a space where the mission is lived out through meaningful conversations, laughter, social gatherings, Bible studies, and prayer.

Living Faith Through Everyday Relationships

For nearly three years, the Pacheco family has remained fully involved in sharing the gospel. “Our marriage has been completely restored, and we are filled with joy as we serve alongside our friends who are now active in the church.”

For Pacheco, outreach is as simple as inviting someone to join a walk, a hike, or a beach day. “Since our family is very adventurous, we always extend invitations to others to join us on hikes and trips to explore the beautiful natural spots in Panama.”

When Pacheco preaches at Conexión7 and the small group he leads, he often shares this message with newcomers: “You are not alone here. Feel useful, feel valued, and enjoy these wonderful moments with us.” Many who have joined the church, he said, first came through a walk, a meal, or a simple invitation.

“There is so much talent both inside and outside our Adventist churches, but unfortunately, many people don’t have the chance to develop those gifts. In our urban missional church, we make it a priority to nurture those talents,” he said.

Expanding the Vision

Several people have recently been baptized and are now actively involved in the church’s urban mission training program.

Thanks to the dedication of families like the Pacheco, the church has experienced significant growth in just two years—including the launch of a second urban missional church in the northern part of the city. Today, more than 60 people gather every Sabbath at Conexión Norte, where Pacheco and his team continue to live out and share the gospel in their community.

Conexión Norte is now the ninth urban missional church established across the Inter-American Division. These urban missional initiatives are overseen by the Seventh-day Adventist Church through its unions and local fields.

For Jonathan Pacheco, Living the Mission means helping others discover the true meaning of God’s love—by walking alongside them in faith, friendship, and service.

Jonathan Pacheco’s story was featured in the Inter-American Division’s Quinquennial Report during the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s 62nd General Conference Session in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, on July 10, 2025.

To view the video report, click HERE