HISPANIC MINISTRY TO END

Our District Hispanic Ministry in Mayfield will end on August 31.  It has become apparent that the current level of funding is inadequate to sustain the ministry.  While it would be easy to raise the Hispanic Ministry apportionment, the current program is not working.  There is a major disconnect between our churches and this ministry.  We put together an organization before we had an adequate foundation for ministry.  This problem frequently occurs in the church.

Please know we have a hand full of dedicated laity who have given significant portions of their energy and efforts to this effort.  We can never discount the benefit this program has had in the lives of some people nor the sacrifice these individuals have made.  I want to express my deepest appreciation to Betty Stallins, Kelly Hinman, Boyce Yates, Agnes Butler, Don Conley, Carlos Cotera, Carolyn Hinman, Rick Johnson, Helen Stanley and many others for their efforts.  Several of our clergy over the past few years have given leadership to this effort; including Ben Butler, Barry Roberts, Phillip McClure and Gregory Waldrop and the P.U.M.P. Camp.  

While this particular program is ending, our call to ministry to the Hispanic population of the Paducah District is still before us.  The churches of Mayfield and the District need to look at ways we can be in ministry to this increasing portion of our population.  Missions to the world and our own communities are central to our understanding of the Christian faith.  We must not allow this change in programming to become an excuse to do nothing!

It is important that churches continue to pay their District Hispanic Apportionment for 2008.  We still have financial obligations we must meet.  Any remaining funds will be used by the District for future Hispanic ministry.  We will make every effort to keep equipment, programs and materials that can be used in a future ministry.

While the primary focus of our Hispanic ministry will fall to the churches of Mayfield and Graves County, we all have a role to play through our prayers, sharing of ideas, willingness to help and our financial support.  We specifically need Spanish-speaking laity in our congregations to look at this as their call to ministry for Christ and the Church.  All of our churches need to have an awareness of the mission opportunities that exist in our particular communities.

In the coming months, I will be looking to the churches and laity of Mayfield and Graves County to give leadership to this effort to be in ministry to the Hispanic population.  This must come from the churches and involve a grassroots effort to touch the lives of those who serve us.

If you have any ideas or suggests as to how this can happen, please talk to your pastor.  Together we can see a ministry that can make a difference.

Grace & Peace,

Rick C. Dye

Paducah District Superintendent