The Global Church is inviting you to participate in what God is doing in Costa Rica. Our partner is La Iglesia Pan de Vida. The church is in a rural area of coffee plantations about 5 miles from downtown Heredia. The focus of the church is caring for families working on the coffee plantations, especially providing food, education, and spiritual care. Teams would be engaged in community-based ministries led by the church and church ministries for the congregation.   Any age group is invited, any time of year, for any length of time. The trip will be led, staffed and implemented by Costa Rican Nationals.

The following are the primary ministry opportunities in the San Jose Metro region of Costa Rica:

– English Classes at a local public school and for the community

– Home visits and food distribution

– Construction on homes

– Women's Ministry and support

– Sports Ministry with Children and Youth

Besides these options, there are more. The goal would be to find out the skills and interests of your team and match them with the ongoing ministries of church partners in the area.

Trips are Mutually Designed with local partners utilizing your skills for ministry, learning from the Global Church, and building relationships with believers in the region.  Any age group is invited, any time of year, for any length of time.

All trips are led, staffed and implemented by Costa Rican Nationals and Latin American church leaders. Merge is an organization directed by a leadership team made up of non-American Global Church leaders from around the world. Once your team sends in a deposit, the Merge Coach of Costa Rica, Esther Palma, will contact your team leaders and work with your team, and the local church leaders, to develop an itinerary, ministry focus, and develop learning activities for your team. Local nationals will be hired as interpreters, guides, ministry coaches, cooks, and construction supervisors (if needed). 

Housing –  church housing is the best option for teams. Retreat centers nearby are also housing options.

Food – Usually teams are fed two-American/Canadian-style uncooked meals each day, and one cooked Costa Rican meal made by local cooks, although more Costa Rican meals are possible. Purified water is also supplied for teams. 

Flights – teams would fly to San Jose, Costa Rica. 

Ground Transportation – Merge will hire local bus companies to drive your team around Costa Rica, and from the airport in San Jose. 

Learning – Learning activites with local church leaders and Merge staff will be designed into the itinerary.

Cultural Activities – Costa Rica is rich in wildlife, tropical rain forests, volcanoes and beaches. Numerous national parks in the rain forests can be visited. Cascadas de la Paz is one nice location to visit. Volcan Arenal and Volcan Poas can be visited. There are beach areas near Jaco and the Guanacaste area. Zip lines and kayaking are popular as well.