WE STARTED...Pura Vida East Side.

“… you will be my witness in Jerusalem...” – Acts 1:8

Dear family,

Dear family,

Four years ago we started the Pura Vida church, Santa Barbara in the Mesa area; this with the passion to reach the Spanish speaking population in our community and God has blessed us tremendously. During this time we have seen lives completely transformed by the power and mercy of the Lord.
Now God has opened doors for us to bring the message of hope to the East-Side of our own Santa Barbara, a neighborhood area that is mostly Latino and lately has been the headlines of the local newspapers for its gang’s violence.
For the last year we have partnered with Santa Barbara Community Church in an effort to reach the Latino children in this area. Through this ministry called “kids Club” we ministered to about 30-40 children in a weekly basis. It is amazing what God can do when no one cares who get the credit.
During this time we felt God leading us to start a Ministry for the parents of the Kids Club children and for the entire Eastside community. That is why after praying that doors would be open to start a Ministry in the heart of the Eastside, we were approved to hold worship services in the Eastside Public Library Branch’s meeting room, called Martin Luther King Jr, in the corner of Montecito and Voluntario Streets. We had our first Pura Vida meeting on Sunday, September 2 of 2007, at 9:00 AM. and it was a huge blessing.

We meet every sunday @ 9 AM, come and enjoy a cafecito with us after the service...

"vacation time" in Costa Rica

Dear Friends,

This comming summer, my family and I will be traveling to Costa Rica for our "vacation" time. we will be gone from July 15 until August 16, stay Tuned to hear from us. I want to ask for your prayers for time there, that we migh show the love of Christ to the kids in ur Town. Every time we are there we have between 15-20 kids @ our house everynight. Last year Dennis started a Bible Study for these kids, the resonse was mind blowing. Also as you know Dennis will be in CUBA from the 25 until the 30th of July.

Thank you again. -Familia Leon

Picture of Local Boys after Bible Study, Costa Rica 2006.

To the ends of the earth...Dennis goes to Cuba

“Expanding our horizons"

Dear friends and brothers in Christ,
I am writing to inform you of my upcoming trip to the island of Cuba.
A year and a half ago I was contacted via internet by a pastor in Cuba. As a church we began to pray for this pastor and his “house” church. From this relationship we began making and selling “Pura Vida” t-shirts to help raise money for pastors in Central America and the Caribbean. Via this ministry we were able to provide funds for a foundation and roof under which the congregation can meet without being accosted by the elements.
This pastor has extended me an invitation to come and visit. Being Costa Rican has only made this process easier. I will be able to travel from Costa Rica this summer while there visiting my family and looking into the possibility of someday beginning ministry in Jaco and other coastal areas.
As Nacho Libre would say “let’s get down to the nitty gritty”! I need lots of prayer! To begin with I have no idea what the religious freedom situation is like down there. It has been hard to get consistent information on this topic. Luckily I will blend right in, but please pray for my safety. Please pray that I can encourage the pastors and their congregations. Lastly that God will use me to help bring unity to the church there.
We would like to keep you up to date on the happenings here at Pura Vida church but we understand the massive amounts of mail we all get. So if you would like to continue to receive updates please fill out the enclosed slip and send it back in to us.
-God Bless, Leon family

If you would like to be part of this ministry and other ministries in Central America and the Caribbean here is how:

1- Sign up to receive updates, request this to puravidasb@gmail.com
2- Pray for this ministry
3- Make a Tax Deductible donation to support this ministry
*Please make donations payable to Pura Vida Church. (A Free Methodist Ministry)
Memo: CUBA

Mail it to:


Pura Vida Church
1435 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara CA 93109
Puravidachurch.blogspot.com
puravidasb@gmail.com
(805)284 2592

Bilingual Worship @ Pura Vida

Pura Vida Church

Invites you to join us for our monthly Bilingual worship.

Are you are Spanish major/speaker? Do you want to hang out and experience what it is like to worship with people from 11 countries of Latin America? Are you passionate about Jesus?

Where? Iglesia Pura Vida, 1435 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara 93109

When? First Sunday of the month @ 5:30 PM (Don’t worry if you are late, we are Latinos we’ll understand). The other Sundays are fully in Spanish; of course you are invited to come as well.

More info or if you need a ride call Dennis (805) 284 2592 Or email us puravidasb@gmail.com

As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame. For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:11-13

…una Iglesia para todos.
“Vengan a mí todos ustedes que están cansados y agobiados, y yo les daré descanso”.
Mateo 11:28


Ø ¿Donde? 1435 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara
California 93109

Ø ¿Cuando? Domingos a las 5:30 PM

Ø Estudios Bíblicos Miércoles a las 7:00 PM


Ø Mas información al (805) 284 2592 o escribanos al
Correo electrónico puravidasb@gmail.com

Todos son bienvenidos, contamos con “Babysitters” para cuidar los niños pequeños y Escuela Dominical para los más grandecitos. También ofrecemos transporte para las personas que lo necesiten, solamente llámenos y será un placer servirles.



“Jesús dijo: Yo soy el camino, la verdad y la vida. Nadie llega al Padre si no por mi” Juan 14:6