As an interdenominational Christian church, we together with the worldwide Church affirm the declarations captured in what’s known as the Apostles’ Creed:
We believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit Born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate Was crucified, dead and was buried On the third day, He rose from the dead He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty From there He will come to judge the living and the dead We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Chrisitian Church The communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.
Amen
What to Expect
We are an interdenominational, intercultural and bilingual Christian church where people find friendship, faith and the freedom to be themselves. We are not only composed of Uruguayans, but of people from dozens of nations, cultures and backgrounds. In light of our unique community, we operate in both Spanish and English. Why don’t you come and experience it for yourself?
Christ Church is a multifaceted church. We speak English and Spanish. It's a global community in a dynamic and changing world. We are from everywhere.
We celebrate our Sunday Service twice a month in Spanish (every 2nd and 4th Sunday) and the other Sundays remain in English (the 1st, 3rd, and 5th). In all cases with simultaneous interpretation (with headphone packs).
We have in-person and virtual Services, through Zoom, which starts right at 11:00 a.m. and finish around 12:15 p.m., when people tend to hang around to chat over complimentary coffee and tea.
Each week, you can expect prayer, songs in both languages to sing together, a message, and the interactive opportunity to discuss the message with open dialogue questions.
A Place for Everyone:
Connection Groups
We grow in meaningful personal relationships in small groups by age and common interests.
A safe place for the little ones during the worship service, to play and share with our volunteer team.
Through GodlyPlay, a method based on Montessori and storytelling, our children enjoy a safe place to be creative, to experience God and enjoy each other.
Our teenagers also have a place to grow, understand and enjoy together. Every other Friday they meet, with their leaders, in a low-key evening of great food, games, and meaningful friendships.
We have a meaningful relation with La Rutais a dynamic and welcoming Christ-centered community for college students of all perspectives.
In creative, relaxed and relational gatherings, Christ Church adults in their 20´s and 30´s, meet up to get to know God and each other more deeply and to make a real impact in people’s lives.
Several small groups for women meet during the week to grow with each other in community.
Click HERE if you want to know more about our small groups and get involved
Study & Growth Groups
We study and put into practice the Word of God together as a community through different methods and resources that guide us in our spiritual growth.
Community Bible Study (CBSI)
A unique environment where you have the opportunity to discover the Scriptures for yourself and engage in meaningful conversation.
Alpha
The basics of the Christian faith, the opportunity to share your opinions and questions.
8-week courses with practical tools to help us grow in spiritual, emotional and relational maturity.
Marriage Course
If you are married, this course is indispensable! We create 8 weekly “Date Nights” for you to feel loved, encouraged and equipped. Course work is always private, just for you and your spouse - no group work.
Get involved with our Study Groups!
Click HEREto find more information and about the next courses going to start.
Community Growth Activities
We are an intercultural community and we promote a safe place to belong, find friendship, freedom, fun and love. Periodically, we host activities where we come together and strengthen relationships – which allows us to have a greater impact in each other’s lives!
Project Generosity
With Project Generosity, we seek to encourage and prepare people to follow Christ wherever they are, especially in situations where it is not always easy to feel His power and presence.
Through different activities, this project focuses on connecting and encouraging individuals and families who are in a difficult economic or social situation. We bring not only food, supplies and clothing, but also hope, affection, company, and love, to give courage to those who need to know that they are not alone and that, even in difficult times, God is always taking care of them.
Find out herehow this project was born, the activities we are carrying out and how you can get involved and be part of Project Generosity
Our Leadership
Pastoral Staff
Lead Pastor
John & Lisa Hamilton
John was born in Wilmore, Kentucky, USA to an American father and Uruguayan mother. He lived there until graduating from Asbury College in 1989 with a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy. He studied Bible and Theology for four years at the Biblical Seminary of Colombia and was ordained by the Iglesia Cristiana Confraternidad de Colombia in 2002. As lead pastor of Christ Church since 2005, John has been primarily focused on preaching, pastoral care and CBSI Bible Study groups.
Lisa was born in Livonia, Michigan, USA, but Colombia quickly became her home as she grew up a daughter of missionaries in North Bogotá and attended Colegio Nueva Granada for all of Kindergarten through 12th grade. She graduated from Asbury College with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Lisa counsels and coordinates Emotionally Healthy Discipleship and MarriageCourse.
She and John have been married since June 22, 1990 and have raised their three children, (now young adults) as TCKs in Uruguay.
They have served with One Mission Society in Colombia (1993-2003) and in Uruguay since 2003.
Associate Pastor
Nate & Luisa Harley
Nate is from Wooster, Ohio, USA and originally came to Uruguay in 2014 for an internship with the missions organization SIM and worked part-time at Christ Church. This was part of his Bachelor’s of Arts in Biblical Studies and Intercultural Studies at Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana. In 2016, he graduated from Grace Theological Seminary with a Masters of Arts in Intercultural Ministry and received his pastoral license from the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.
Since arriving once again in Montevideo in April 2017, he has been serving at Christ Church in the preaching rotation, directing worship and in university student outreach.
Luisa is from Pocitos in Montevideo, Uruguay and previously served at the church plant La Palabra in that neighborhood. She initiated her involvement with the La Ruta outreach in 2018 and joined SIM Uruguay in July 2019. As she finishes her Doctorate in Dental Sciences at the Universidad Católica del Uruguay in La Blanqueada, she continues to serve with Christ Church as Service Coordinator, in pastoral care, and in university student outreach.
Luisa and Nate have been married since February 1, 2020.
Youth Intern
Sebastián Velásquez
Sebastian was born in Bogota, Colombia to missionary parents. He studied theology with an emphasis on cross-cultural missions for two years at Instituto Misionero Nuevos Horizontes, a global partner of Ethnos360. He has served for eight years with different youth groups from his sending church in Colombia, Iglesia Cristiana Confraternidad, and has done short mission trips to indigenous communities in Colombia, Paraguay, Brazil, and Panama.
He arrived in Uruguay in August 2023 sent by his church and assumed the role of Pastoral Intern and Youth Leader in Christ Church.
The Council
Christ Church members approve statutes and elect a council of 7-14 members at the annual assembly. The Council provides oversight, accountability and assistance for the pastoral team in administrative, financial and ministerial matters.
Current officers:
President – David Sundeep Naligala
Secretary – Katherine McConnell
Administrator – Diana Correa
Our History
In 1968, the two English speaking Protestant churches in Montevideo, Emmanuel (Methodists and other free church worshippers) and Holy Trinity (Anglicans & Episcopalians) considered the idea of uniting. Both the Methodist and Anglican congregations had existed in Montevideo since the mid 1800’s. They set up an exploratory committee to study the forming of a joint church in a new building and in a new neighborhood. During succeeding years, a great deal of time and work was devoted towards furthering the unification project and in 1971, joint services were started at Holy Trinity. The name of Christ Church was adopted for the united church.
Early in 1977, the legal entity “Asociación Civil Christ Church” was constituted. There were 81 founding members of which approximately 1/3 were Anglican, 1/3 were Methodist and 1/3 were of other denominations. Land with an area of 2297 sq. metres was bought with Emmanuel funds (Emmanuel Church having been sold to the Uruguayan Methodist Church). From the beginning, it was made quite clear that the founding members were aiming towards an interdenominational united English-speaking church, and not of two separate congregations using one church building.
In May 1978, Christ Church trustees agreed to build a new church building. The foundation stone was laid in October of 1978. The “Light of the World” stained-glass window was removed from Emmanuel Church and incorporated in the construction. In November 1979 the new building was completed, and the Consecration Service held on November 18th.
Over the years, Christ Church has shared the building with several groups such as the Evangelical Baptist Church of Carrasco under Pastor Tomas Robertson, The Church of Grace under Pastor Arnie Selfors, The Methodist Church under Pastor Violeta Cavallero and The Church of God under Reverend Nehiel Rojas.
Through the years, Christ Church has continued to grow into a unique community made up of individuals from neighborhoods from all over the city and all over the world. The diversity in denominational background, economic situation and culture has kept Christ Church a humble, hope-giving and hospitable family.
Christ Church has a purpose and a mission in Montevideo and with the Lord’s help it will gain in strength and continue to be a witness for Christ and a place of worship for people of all walks of life.
Celebrating 45 Years
When and Where to Go
Worship Service (English & Spanish)
English with simultaneous interpretation into Spanish (1st, 3rd and 5th Sunday of the month) Spanish with simultaneous interpretation into English (2nd and 4th Sunday of the month)
Worship Service
Sundays at 11:00am In Person Lieja 6437 esq. Arocena, Carrasco Online YouTube Live Click Here
English with simultaneous interpretation into Spanish
(1st, 3rd and 5th Sunday of the month) Spanish with simultaneous interpretation into English
(2nd and 4th Sunday of the month)
