In the heart of McAllen, Texas, stands a beacon of faith and community—Iglesia Sinai De La Alianza Cristiana Y Misionera (Sinai Church of the C&MA, for short). Led by Pastor Juan Parra and his wife, Mirna, the church is wholeheartedly committed to living out its statement of faith, to Serve God and the people of His world.

 

The Dream and Its Challenges

The church building, constructed in the 1970s, had been serving a growing congregation but had some significant challenges that hindered further growth—like a single bathroom for the entire congregation. The church had been nurturing a 20-year dream to construct an addition to its building and finally, in 2021, took its first steps toward realizing that dream. Years of fundraising and stewardship had accumulated enough savings to hire a local contractor and pay a hefty deposit on the addition. But the journey was not without its trials.

 

 

Contractor Challenges and Resolution

After accepting the initial check, the contractor didn’t begin work on the addition until 2023, when Pastor Juan joined the staff. Even then, progress was slow, leaving the church in a difficult position. But with the help of its district, the Alliance South Central, Sinai Church managed to recoup its lost investment and hire a new contractor. Within a short time, the much-awaited addition was finally completed.

 

   

 

Renovations and Loan Process

With the new addition in place, attention was turned to the much-needed renovations of the 50+ year-old church building. To finance these repairs, Sinai Church reached out to Orchard Alliance for a loan. Once granted, the funds were used to update the old electrical system, relocate HVAC units, add insulation, install a handicap ramp, remodel the main stage, install proper hurricane brackets, and make the building safer and more comfortable for the congregation.

 

   

 

Special Projects and Community Plans

One special project was restoring a church bell, a gift from an Alliance missionary years ago. Silent for over twenty years, the church hopes to bring it back to life so its chimes will once again be heard throughout the town on Sunday mornings. As the grand re-opening at the end of August approaches, the church is buzzing with anticipation. The new space is envisioned to house a future food pantry for the community, and Bible studies are already being hosted.

Reflections from Pastor Juan

“It’s been quite the journey to get our addition and renovation completed,” noted Pastor Juan. “It’s something we’ve been earnestly praying for for many years. Even though we had a bad experience with a dishonest contractor, the Lord was always with us, and He turned a bad situation into good for His glory.” Reflecting on the journey, Pastor Juan remarked, “The loan process with Orchard Alliance was so easy. The paperwork was quick, and everything was clearly explained to us. Orchard’s staff was always there whenever we had questions along the way. They were a great partner to our church, and we couldn’t have accomplished what we’ve done without them.”

 

 

Orchard Alliance rejoices with Sinai Church, marking this significant milestone as a testament to the church’s faith, resilience, and commitment to serving its community. We look forward to hearing how God will continue to use the church as it expands its capacity to care for the needs of its community and “all the people of His world.”