Belize
First Stone Bible Church History
From the first exploratory trip to the construction of the First Stone Church building and now to the opening of the elementary school, God’s hand has been on this partnership and we are excited to see how God continues to provide.
The Start of Belize Ministry
Discovery first began to be involved in Belize missions several years before First Stone Church was started.
In 2011, several members of Discovery went on a vision trip to Belize, as they discerned where the Holy Spirit was leading them. While serving in the Valley of Peace, Belize, Pastor Smith was given the vision of educating children in Belize.
Laying the Foundation
In 2013, the team from Discovery laid a cinderblock foundation for a ministry and community building in the 8-mile community. Little did they know then that one day, this would become the home of First Stone Church.
In 2015, Don and Susan Hefner led another trip to Belize City to look at some of the ministry opportunities in the area.
First Stone's Beginning
2016 was the year that the Hefners began leading teams to Belize and were introduced to Pastor Phillipa Miller and her youth leader ministry who were meeting in an area of Belize City called “the jungle.” However, Pastor Phillipa’s team had been called to plant a church in the 8-Mile community, which did not have a church or school at the time. They were offered the property that the 2013 team had worked on as a church home, and the 2016 team continued the construction of First Stone Church.
VBS Outreach
In December of 2016, a Discovery Team served with Pastor Phillipa and her team in Belize City for Christmas VBS.In the spring of 2017, Pastor Phillipa visited Discovery Church for the first time and later that year, Pastor Phillipa and the Belizean VBS team visited to lead the first ever VBS at Discovery. 2018-2019 included several other trips, including one focused on young adults.
Mission Highlights
2021 to 2026 - Teams from Discovery have traveled at least twice each year to fellowship, learn and encourage our ministry partners at First Stone Church. While in Belize, teams have hosted a medical screening clinic, a praise and worship clinic, and a marriage conference, in addition to renovating a home, attending the first worship service in the completed sanctuary in the 8-Mile building, completing the construction of the church and primary school, and building a playground.
Discovery and First Stone
As a church, Discovery has sent many shipping containers, purchased and sent many vehicles, sponsored many scholarships (primary school, high school, and post high school), financially supported VBS, helped fund an inner-city feeding program, financially supported the transportation needs of the church family, started a Christian mentoring program, and many other acts of service and love.