The Los Angeles Church of the Nazarene in the Costa Rica Central District recently registered in the Blue Flag Ecological Project (PBAE).\u00a0 The PBAE is an international recognition to institutions that commit to caring for the environment.\u00a0 One of the categories in the program is Ecclesiastical, which offers incentives to churches and religious groups to be a part of positive change in healthy use of water, resources, fuel, and other categories.<\/p>\n
The pastor of the church, Andr\u00e9s Fern\u00e1ndez, said, \u201cThe Los Angeles Church of the Nazarene has understood that the call of God is integrated. As we care for the people of our church and community, we must also watch over our planet.\u201d<\/p>\n
The church proposes to be the first evangelical community at the national level to obtain the Blue Flag recognition.\u00a0 They have held different activities to benefit the environment, including promoting a new culture regarding the use of disposable plates, cups, etc., in the church\u00b4s activities.\u00a0 They now use reusable supplies.<\/p>\n
The church has also motivated its members to bring recyclable material from home.\u00a0 Once a month a recycling company receives all of the collected material.\u00a0 The changes have generated a local impact, and they hope to also have an impact at the district level.\u00a0 They will implement new practices for the district activities help in their facilities, including a requirement that no disposable plates, cups, etc. be used on the premises.\u00a0 The church proposes to supply the items necessary instead of disposable items.<\/p>\n
\u00a8We have seen how the church has mobilized together to achieve this.\u00a0 The recent cleanup campaign was a success.\u00a0 People brought their recyclable materials, the environmental culture is saturating the church and we are gaining an essential characteristic not only within the church building but outside of it,\u00a8 said Christopher Quinto, the local NMI president. \u00a8We dream that within approximately one year we will see a Blue Flag hung in our church, knowing it was the result of a joint effort, not just the work of one person or ministry.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added, \u201cWe invite every part of the Church of the Nazarene to look for options in their countries to be models to follow for the world and to be part of the sustainable development of our planet.\u00a0 This is also what it is to be the Church.\u201d<\/p>\n
Source: Christopher Quinto, NMI President, and Pastor Andr\u00e9s Fern\u00e1ndez, Los Angeles Church of the Nazarene<\/p>\n
For more information in Spanish about the Blue Flag Ecological Project: https:\/\/banderaazulecologica.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t