A quiet explosion of Spanish-Speaking Free Will Baptists...

The Best-Kept Secret

by Rick Bowling

God has been good to Free Will Baptist Hispanic ministry in the United States. Thousands have been saved, families restored, addictions healed, and the gospel preached to people who have never read the Bible nor heard of God.

In Puerto Rico, Pastor Jose Correa has started a church in Caeuas. He and the church members have purchased a large building sufficient to start a kindergarten and later an elementary and high school. Education is very important to the Puerto Rican people. Jose and his people plan to meet this need, reaching families by caring about their children.

Two other groups that meet in homes have started in other cities in Puerto Rico. Although this outreach began recently, 20 people are already attending one group and 15 the other. Correa and his congregation plan to use this effort to establish a new church in the area. Eventually, they hope to open ten other churches in this manner. They also plan to open a satellite institute of the Gwen Hendrix FWB Hispanic Institute (South Carolina) to provide leaders for each of the new churches.

Dr. Rufo Gomez, currently pastoring in Lexington, Kentucky, has planted new churches in Winchester, Kentucky; Fort Meyers, Florida; and Tabasco, Mexico. Under his ministry, people are hearing the gospel and obeying—faithful to God’s Great Commission.

He introduced Free Will Baptists to Dr. Lugo, a doctor from Mexico who desires to come to the States to join the rapidly expanding work among Spanish speakers. Though a medical doctor, God has called Dr. Lugo to preach the Word.

Every Free Will Baptist can be proud of the work in Fort Myers, Florida. After graduating from the Gwen Hendrix Institute, Pastor Portelli moved to Fort Myers to begin a new church. They rented a building in a new shopping center, and then renovated it into a beautiful sanctuary where 40 people or more meet every Sunday.

The Gwen Hendrix Institute has 208 graduates. Some students return to their homelands to start Free Will Baptist missions in their neighborhood. To date, 27 missions have been started beyond the borders of the United States. The remaining graduates help local churches continue to spread the gospel.

The Hispanic ministry is a real and growing part of the Free Will Baptist denomination. A service for Spanish-speaking Free Will Baptists is held each year at the national convention. Churches send young people to participate in youth competitions.

The secret’s out. The Hispanic ministry is alive, well, and growing among Free Will Baptists. Find out how you can get involved today.

About the Writer: Rick Bowling is director of Hispanic ministries for Free Will Baptist Home Missions. Learn more at www.homemissions.net.