1997

In 1997, attendance was averaging 80 people each Sunday morning. With this growth, the church saw the need for a dedicated pastor and called Dr. Tom Hill of New Mexico to come and serve the growing church. Dr. Hill and his wife Connie arrived on January 3, 1997 and quickly moved the congregation from the seminary chapel which only seated a maximum of 70 people to facilities at the radio station, Faro Del Caribe (a Christian radio station), which seated up to 120. Committees were soon formed and the hunt began for a new permanent facility.

The search led to the west side of San Jose to a hilltop in Guachipelín de Escazú. The search criteria were: to be close to a large English-speaking population; to be clearly visible; easily accessible; and most of all, affordable. Locations in Pavas and Escazú were considered before God directed the leadership to the current location.

The property was purchased at a considerable discount—approximately one eighth of the market value at the time. It was an exciting time for the church, but sadly, during this time, there was division on the direction and future vision of the church and some of the members left in 1999 and began another English-speaking church on the east side of San Jose—a church which remains active to this day.

In October 1999, Dr. Hill retired and suggested Dr. Richard Steel of Baytown, Texas as his replacement. Dr. Steel and his wife Betty graciously agreed to come and stay on board to see the church through its building phase.