A message to congregational leaders about the Ministry Enrichment Retreat

The Great Lakes Conference’s Board for Evangelism and Church Planting and Commission for Relationships and Caring have joined forces in promoting a conference wide (and church-wide) partnership with Iglesia El Buen Pastor in Springfield, Ohio. This ministry to plant a church among Hispanic migrant families has grown from a small group to a Sunday evening worship celebration of 75 to 100 people and 5 to 10 small house groups meeting throughout the week. Pastor David Espinosa reports that:

Numerous children have been dedicated to the Lord through the ministry of Iglesia El Buen Pastor.
New believers are taking the step of baptism, a special cause for celebration in light of the Catholic backgrounds of many within the church.
Congregational giving increased from less than $10,000 in 2002 to $25,000 in 2006.

The growth experienced by the emerging congregation is remarkable considering that each year, about one-third of the attenders return to their countries of origin. We can be encouraged, that as they go, they take the Gospel message with them, returning as “missionaries” to their home lands.

Pastor David’s part-time work with a local Christian radio station, where he provides Spanish language programming, helps draw newcomers to Iglesia El Buen Pastor, as do the translation services that David and his wife, Natalia, provide to area hospitals and places of employment. The couple also counsels families and individuals who are experiencing difficulty in adjusting to a new culture.

David and Natalia sense God’s continuing call to Springfield, and the Great Lakes Conference concurs. In turn, conference leaders invite partners (prayer and financial) with the young congregation in fruit bearing for eternity. To sign on as a prayer partner or to be part of the giving team behind Iglesia El Buen Pastor, contact Bishop John Zuck at (937) 698-6284 or by e-mail at grlkbic@bizwoh.rr.com.

For more about David and Natalia Espinosa, see the Spring 2007 issue of the BIC magazine.

WELCOME