Central Baptist Church has a long history of commitment to building relationships in Central America, beginning with the congregation's vote in 1984 to participate in the Sanctuary Movement during the war in El Salvador. Mauricio, our first sanctuary refugee, arrived at CBC in February 1985.

Delegations of congregation members have traveled to El Salvador on numerous occasions. We have participated in emergency rebuilding efforts after hurricanes and floods, worked on building a worship space in Santa Elena, represented Philadelphia area congregations with our sister city program in Las Anonas, provided financial support for many projects, supported work at the Baptist Seminary in Santa Ana, participated in official anniversary events honoring Archbishop Oscar Romero and others, worked as official observers during elections, and established enduring personal friendships with our partner congregations.

In addition, we regularly host visitors from El Salvador, both personal friends and also representatives from various Salvadoran organizations. On two occasions in the past, we have provided extended housing and hospitality to Salvadoran students enrolled in graduate programs in our area. Pastors from our partner churches in Santa Elena, Santa Ana, and Atiquizaya have visited our congregation, as well as delegations of members of those churches.
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1/14/08

2008

  • Ron, Marcus, and Nora travel to El Salvador for meetings with leaders from Shekina and Shalom (Jan 2008)
  • Ruth Orantes joins CBC delegation in New Orleans for a week of events with "Churches Supporting Churches," Rev. Boutte and the St. John BaptistChurch, and the Alliance of Baptists Convocation. (Mar 2008)
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2/23/07

2007

  • Host Maria Silvia Guillen (Salvadoran human rights advocate and attorney) and Tara from SHARE (Mar 07)
  • Youth Delegation to El Salvador (June 07) – Nora Pullen, Lucy Peterson, Adam Bailey, Zach Turner, Kelsey Prima, Tess Bailey, Matt Scott. Adults – Kathleen Bailey, Ron Morgan, Jocelyn Emerson, Caroline Cargo, Bernie Peterson
  • School of the Americas protests at Fort Benning in Columbus, GA (Nov 07) -- Caroline Cargo, Kathy Stayton, Gwenyth Lewis
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2006

  • Four guests from Shekina visit CBC (3/06): Ruth Orantes, Susy Fuentes, Clara Luz Magana, Julia Carranza
  • group of CBC women go to El Salvador for interviews with women who were combatants during the war (May 06) -- Betsy Morgan, Caroline Cargo, Gwenyth Lewis, Katy Friggle-Norton, Marcia Bailey, Kathy Stayton, with Linda Panetta (School of the Americas Watch) as photographer
  • Preparations begin for a CBC youth delegation to El Salvador in 2007
  • SHARE 25th Anniversary in Washington DC – Ron and Betsy Morgan, Caroline Cargo, Bernie Peterson, Kristy and Larry Pullen
  • (MBailey departs CBC, LSweigard and JEmerson begin)
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2005

  • CBC hosts Gigi Gruenke from Nueva Esperanza / SHARE Jan 05
  • CBC hosts Desyi Cheyne (IMU) and Tara Carr (SHARE) in Mar 05
  • Salvador Partners invite 6 youth from Shekina/Shalom to visit, but all visas are denied
  • CBC special offering for hurricane/volcano efforts at Shekina and Shalom
  • Marcia Bailey takes CRCDS students to ES for SHARE Churchwomen Delegation
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2004

  • CBC Youth Delegation (3/04) for Presidential Elections and Romero 24th:Adam Bailey, Sarah Bailey, Marcia Bailey, Katie Peterson, Annie Peterson, Lucy Peterson, Bernie Peterson, Caroline Cargo, Marcus Pomeroy, Kristy Pullen, Nora Pullen, Steve Chandler, Ron Morgan, Ginny Moore (MLUC), Natalie Zucchino (MLUC), Brook Sexton (Simple Way).Three youth from Shekina and three youth from Shalom take part in the delegation.
  • Weekend hosting and luncheon for Dr. Evelyn __ for SHARE tour re: privatization of health care in El Salvador and medical workers strikes
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2003

  • Year of preparations for a youth delegation from CBC to El Salvador to take place in Mar 04.
  • First year of the "Orantes Fund" pledges.
  • Mission Group hires Sara Stowell to consult with Alex to develop a ministry plan and budget
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2002

  • Rutilio Grande 25th Anniversary (3/02): Kathy Stayton, Larry Pullen, Andy Smith, Marcus Pomeroy, Marcia Bailey, Ron Morgan, Caroline Cargo, Megan Prima, Bill Cline, Brooke Sexton (Simple Way) (Scott from Simple Way works with Alex in Atiquizaya in Spring 02). Trip includes visits with Ruth and Alex at Shekina and Shalom, Carlos Sanchez (SEBLA), and Alerio and Raquel (FEBES)
  • El Salvador Partners Mission Group is reactivated and a first "love gift" offering (later becomes the Orantes Fund) is sent to Alex and Ruth.
  • SHARE 20th Anniversary -- Several CBC folks attend celebration events in Washington, DC
  • Orantes family visits CBC at Christmas
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2001

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2000

  • CBC joins SHARE Delegation for 20th Romero Anniversary: Marcia Bailey, Andy Smith, Jessica Sehested, Brooke Sexton (Simple Way), Linda Hernandez (EU), Ron Morgan, Marcus Pomeroy, Scott Hutchinson (Perkesie UCC), Bert Wylen, Sonia Sider (EU), Horace Gale, Marylou Fusco (TOS), Brian Wisiniewski (KWRU), Debra Myers (PUCC), Gail Rickards (PUCC), Desmond Hoffmeister
  • Vilma from Las Anonas comes to visit at CBC
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1999

  • Ruth and Alex Orantes visit CBC
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1998

  • Marcus Pomeroy and Ron Morgan monitor elections and visit Santa Elena
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1997

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1996

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1995

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1994

  • Alirio and Raquel Zelaya move into CBC Mission House
  • Ron Morgan joins SHARE delegation to observe first post-war presidential election
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1993

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1992

  • Women’s delegation from CBC and Eastern Seminary (Jan 92): Ellen Green, Kathleen Bailey, Betsy Morgan, Ann --, Jackie --, Sharon –
  • Ron Morgan accompanies Lutheran Bishop Medardo Gomez (June 92)
  • “El Salvador: Portraits in a Revolution” airs on PBS
  • (Marcia Bailey called to CBC ministry)
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1991

  • Katy Friggle-Norton supports Salvadoran refugees in Leon, Nicaragua, as they protested to go home (Feb 91)
  • Delegation to Sta. Elena and Las Anonas (Aug 91): Michaela Spampinato, Carol Neubert, Alex Neubert, Martha Neubert, Ellen Green?, Heather Long, Pete Berol, Andy Smith, Nancy Daniel, Steve Jones, Gwenyth Lewis, Katy Friggle-Norton, Christine Sohn, JD Munday, Jennifer Munday
  • Santa Elena pastor Arnoldo Rodriguez visits CBC
  • Going Home book is published
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1990

  • The Romero Interfaith Center (RIC) was founded in 1990
  • Ron Morgan goes with SHARE to visit Coral de Piedro after bomb attack (Feb 90)
  • Gordon Bennett to Nicaragua with Pastors for Peace
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1989

  • Local religious leaders, including CBC pastor Steve Jones, support RIC protests in Philadelphia and are arrested
  • Alex and Ruth Orantes come to CBC and share sanctuary apartment with Pedro
  • Ron Morgan accompanies repatriation from Mesa Grande to Chalatenango (Nov 89)
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1988

  • CBC begins official partnership with First Baptist Church of Santa Elena 11/88
  • Pedro Menendez (RIC organizer) comes to live in CBC sanctuary apartment
  • Julie Kimsey-Carroll, Jeff Kimsey-Carroll, Beth Gubbins, Jim Guldins, Ron Morgan, Betsy Morgan, Peter Morgan (?), Jonathan Barr, Steve Jones, Ruth Cramer, Millard Hunt, Barbara Gromas, Andy Smith, David Light, Jan Corbett, Kathleen Lyman (Bailey), Elixabeth Thompson, Gordon Bennett (Four days in El Salvador and one week in Nicaragua)
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1988

  • CBC begins official partnership with First Baptist Church of Santa Elena 11/88
  • Pedro Menendez (RIC organizer) comes to live in CBC sanctuary apartment
  • Julie Kimsey-Carroll, Jeff Kimsey-Carroll, Beth Gubbins, Jim Guldins, Ron Morgan, Betsy Morgan, Peter Morgan (?), Jonathan Barr, Steve Jones, Ruth Cramer, Millard Hunt, Barbara Gromas, Andy Smith, David Light, Jan Corbett, Kathleen Lyman (Bailey), Elixabeth Thompson, Gordon Bennett (Four days in El Salvador and one week in Nicaragua)
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1987

  • Romero Interfaith Center supports Las Anonas repatriations
  • Kathleen Bailey, Heather Long, Nora ---- visit Sta. Elena
  • CBC/RIC delegation to Las Anonas: Ron Morgan, Art Jansen, Laura Van Sprueil
  • March '87 -- Kathleen Bailey, Eric DeBaufre, Melanie Johnson, Helen Delano (Royersford church), Fran Munday -- first commemoration of Archbishop Romero to take place since the killings that occurred at his funeral in 1980
  • August '87 -- trip to Corinto, Nicaragua, with several days in El Salvador
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1986

  • Tim Scott, Jonathan Barr, Ron Morgan, Peter Morgan participate in construction projects in El Salvador to rebuild after earthquake
  • Andy Smith visits Emmanuel Baptist in San Salvador
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1985

  • CBC joins ABC-USA in a lawsuit to end persecution of sanctuary workers
  • Mauricio becomes CBC’s sanctuary refugee (2/85-10/87)
  • Jan Corbett visits repopulated communities in Chalatenango
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1984

  • CBC votes to become an official Sanctuary Church
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