The growing Hispanic population in Indiana has motivated many churches across Indiana to reach out to this people group. The Evansville First Church embarked on a mission to reach out to the Hispanic population in their community.

In February 2001, Bela Kobor, Evansville First pastor, was introduced to Marcial Camilla, who requested Bible studies to prepare for baptism. Marcial was introduced to the Adventist church by an Adventist acquaintance just across the river in Henderson, Kentucky.

In the months that followed, the Lord began to bring people together who would be instrumental in establishing the Hispanic work in the Evansville area. In addition to Marcial, other Hispanics began visiting Evansville First. A bilingual Sabbath School was started, led by John Bush, Jr. Other Evansville members joined to strengthen the group, and many invited the Hispanic visitors to their homes for Sabbath lunch. Communication was sometimes a problem, but the kindness and love shown by the members was understood by the Hispanics.

Other social activities such as picnics, soccer, and basketball were coordinated by Evansville First members in order to reach out to the Hispanic population. They were excited when Marcial became the first Hispanic to join the Evansville First Church in October 2001.

The Indiana Conference realized the new Hispanic group needed help to continue growing, so they invited Luis Evia to serve as pastor on a stipend basis in August 2002.

A few days after his arrival, Luis was employed by the City of Evansville as Hispanic Coordinator. This position allows him to network with the Hispanic population. As new Hispanic families move to Evansville, Luis is the point of contact for referrals to different agencies for housing, schools, and other services. Luis has made a positive impact with different city officials including Jonathan Weinzapfel, the mayor of Evansville.

In the months that followed, Luis conducted several evangelistic meetings and many people were added to the church. In November 2003, the Hispanic group was organized into an official company by Conference administrators. Attendance on Sabbath now soars above 100. In November of this year, the Evansville Hispanic Company will be officially organized into the Evansville Hispanic Church.

The members of the Evansville First Church feel privileged to be instrumental in “birthing” this new church. There is, however, a nostalgic feeling because now the new Hispanic group meets in a separate building with plans to buy a church soon.

There is a clear lesson to be learned from this experience. No church is ever too old to give “birth” to a new church. The Evansville First Church showed that it can be done.

José Vazquez is the Indiana Conference community services director.