Hispanic Ministry

Have we not all one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our fathers by breaking faith with one another?  Malachi 2:10 NIV

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San Juan Mission Report

2005 Mission Sampler

August 13, 2005

 This year has been a blessing for the Mission.  Many projects have already been accomplished and new visions for ministry continue to unfold.  Here are the highlights of the past year at San Juan.

 §         For the first time, the Mission has participated in a Module One training.  This is an Alabama-West Florida conference program to train lay-missioners.  Five persons completed this training.  These persons are unpaid laity who can help form and establish new missions in our conference. 

§         The Mission participated in a Module Three study in November, and will have another Module Three training this weekend (August 12-14).  Hence, the reason the Gomez family cannot be at the Mission Sampler in person.  This module trains laity in the structure of the church, such as committee organization and church polity, as well as the history of the United Methodist Church.  The goal of Module Three is to achieve independent church status for the San Juan Mission.  The financial base is not sufficient yet to make such a move, but the training continues. 

§         The Mission is participating in the new Natural Church Development program under the leadership of conference representative Paul Nixon.

§         On August 20, 2005, just a week from now, San Juan is going to open a NEW mission in Wetumpka!  Carlos Herrera, one of the lay-missioners trained in Module One, will lead this new outreach.

§         Talks are also underway with Christ United Methodist Church in Mobile (site of the Annual Conference), to start a mission there with one of the other lay-missioners trained during Module One.

§         Module Two, the follow-on training from Module One, will be offered in the coming year.

§         San Juan, with the help of the mayor of Jemison, organized a free baseball league for the community.  The baseball park is used every Sunday to have games and a family atmosphere.  It is a place where families can have a good time, and get to meet other families in the community.  Relationships established at the park have the potential of bringing in new church members. These gatherings remind the Hispanic families of Mexico, where similar family outings are held.  Follow-up social meetings are held on Monday at San Juan to brag about the weekend’s games and to bond friendships. Non-church people are coming to the Mission for advice, especially after realizing that Christians can have fun!

§         San Juan has gained enough confidence and trust from the community to be certified and used by the American Red Cross as an emergency shelter in times of natural disasters.  During Ivan, 120 people utilized San Juan; another 60 used the Mission shelter during Hurricane Dennis.

§         Pastor German has established good relations with the city governments of Jemison and Clanton.  He also attends city council meetings to stay involved in the community.

§         Eight San Juan youth went to Spring Fling youth retreat in Panama City Beach.  They had a great time interacting with youth of other churches, and doing mission work.

§         Three San Juan youth and Pastor German went to Monterrey, Mexico on a mission trip with the youth of First United Methodist Church in Clanton.  This trip brought the two youth groups closer together.  This joint group did a a lot of work in Mexico, such as leading Vacation Bible School, street ministries, teaching women to sew, building a room, preaching, and evangelism.

§         Two San Juan youth attended the Hispanic Youth Leadership Seminar in Dallas, Texas.  They learned about Hispanic history in the United States, and how to be a leader inside and outside of the church.  The hope is to bring such a seminar to Alabama next year, perhaps with Huntingdon College as a host site.

§         The radio ministry is still going strong.  This is a thirty-minute Christian program in Spanish, hosted by Pastor German.  We have invited people from other Hispanic churches in the Chilton County area to also be on our radio station.

 There are many more small activities constantly underway at the San Juan Mission.  Praise God for His blessings.  Continue to pray for the Mission and its growth.  God bless you all.

 Report by

German & Leticia Gomez, San Juan Missionaries 

Transcribed by

W. Glenn Walker, Pastor
            Centreville & Sandy Chapel United Methodist Churches

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