Twenty-seven young people from six nations united their talents to strengthen church planting efforts in Playa Leona, carry out compassion ministries in Puerto Caimito and El Progreso, and impact the Cinta Costera with a message of salvation through an integral Maximum Mission.

From April 25–29, 2026, Panama City became the center of an intense movement of faith and service coordinated by the Central Area Mission Mobilization ministry, with the support of The Cause, a global movement of the Church of the Nazarene that collaborated in the Maximum Mission titled “The Cause of Christ in Panama City.” The event brought together 27 young people from Mexico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama with the purpose of sharing the message of salvation and strengthening the church’s presence in strategic communities.

Under the leadership of Elba Duson, Mission Mobilization coordinator for the Central Area, and with the participation of regional and district leaders such as Marlen Soria, Oscar Arena, Jael Estrada, Joél Bermúdez, and Brayan Mendieta, the team served in different communities through holistic ministry efforts.

Impact in Local Communities

In Playa Leona, the primary focus was strengthening a church-type mission. Activities included ministry to children in educational centers and infrastructure improvements through painting two classrooms and the school kitchen.

In Puerto Caimito, service efforts included beach clean-up campaigns and environmental awareness initiatives, house-to-house evangelism, and the showing of the Jesus Film. In addition, a specialized workshop for women on inner and outer beauty was held, addressing personal care from a biblical perspective.

The work also extended to El Progreso through the Child Development Center (CDC), where oral hygiene workshops were provided along with the distribution of kits donated by Nazarene Missions Teams. Sports also became a bridge for ministry through a volleyball tournament followed by a reflection on the Word of God.

Urban Evangelism and Results

As part of the scheduled agenda, an urban evangelism outreach took place on Sunday at the Cinta Costera. Nearly 50 people participated in this event, which included a drama presentation with a salvation message and a time of worship.

The mission produced tangible fruit in the lives of Panamanians, with a total of 37 decisions for Christ recorded: 17 in El Progreso, 13 in Puerto Caimito, 5 at the Cinta Costera, and 2 in Playa Leona.

Testimonies of Transformation

For Jael Morles, a mission participant, the experience marked a turning point:

“I arrived without knowing what to expect… and I am leaving different. The Cause of Christ was not an event. It was a before and after. God used every hug, every prayer, and every exhausting early morning to remind me that serving is love in action.”

Melisa Muñoz, who served in the communications area, highlighted the unity experienced during the mission:

“This mission reminded me that God is hidden in the details: in the joy of sharing, in the time you give, in the smile of a child. In the end, the mission gave me the greatest gift: a family.”

Looking Ahead

The work carried out will continue under the leadership of the pastor of the church in Puerto Caimito and the pastor in charge of the mission in Playa Leona, who will follow up with the new believers and contacts established in the communities.

This mission in Panama reaffirms the region’s commitment to service and the Great Commission. What was experienced in each community is the testimony of a living church that acts with compassion and moves with hope. Strengthened as a regional family, we continue forward so that every Nazarene may become an agent of transformation throughout the region.

Source: Elba Duson, Mission Mobilization Coordinator for the Central Area