God has been blessing and things are moving along toward our first Hispanic church
plant beginning February 24. Our association is partnering with Central Baptist
Church in realizing our long-awaited realization of reaching Hispanics.
Heriberto Torres, our Hispanic Strategist, is hoping to begin with the core group that
Rolando developed while he was with us. From this humble beginning, we believe God
will bless and bring others to know the Savior Who died for us all. Heriberto will
preach and minister for about five months, and by that time, we will need to have
secured a bi-vocational pastor to carry on with the work. It will cost around $18,000
annually to secure this bi-vocational pastor. The sponsoring church will share in this
financial support, but our association must be a “big brother” in financially supporting
this pastor. And we must begin collecting funds long before he comes. Having this
pastor will, of course, be a necessity, not a luxury. Experience has proven that
Hispanic ministry does not grow without a pastor to preach, minister and lead.
After the new pastor is in place in E-town, we plan to begin another plant in
Hodgenville in late summer. Heriberto will do the same there; preach and reach for
five months, then turn the work over to a bi-vocational pastor.
We are asking for all our churches to participate in this effort by prayers and
financial gifts. Each church is asked/challenged to support this effort by giving the
equivalency of $100 per month for three years, above and beyond present gifts to the
association. Some may want to give more and others may be able to give a smaller
part, but every church is needed. Some funding will also be secured through the KBC.
I announced this need at our January executive board meeting. Representation at
that meeting was low, but one church that was represented that evening has already
sent in their commitment…for the whole three years! So I’m trying to get the word
out and praying that you and others will also be excited about what God can do with
our faithfulness in this Great Commission effort.
Have you ever noticed how many Hispanic last names end in -ez? Have you ever
wondered why that is? In Old Spanish, -ez meant "son of." Therefore Gonzalo’s son
would be called Gonzalez, Domingo’s son would be called Dominguez, etc. And almost
every language has the same thing. For the Armenians, it’s the names that end in -
ian. The Poles use -ski. For the Irish, it’s the names that begin in O-; the Scots use
Mc-. It’s easier to see in modern day English, with Johnson, Williamson and
Robertson. The point is that for centuries men have identified a man by who his
father was.
We as Christians are children of God. We get our identity and our worth from that
relationship. Christ gave His all for the Lost of every nation and culture. We are
missionary in spirit because we are like Him, knowing His heartbeat is for all the
Lost.
Please gain your church’s commitment and approval so funds will begin coming in and
the work can move forward. Speak with your pastor, your church leadership. We can’
t do it without you!
Serving Him Together,
Bro. Gerald
Get your church committed and be a vital part of this ministry!
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