Indiana—For many years, the East Chicago Spanish Church members desired to relocate to a more suitable location to fulfill their mission. They tried to sell their church for several years, but received no offers to purchase it.

Then suddenly, within just a few short weeks, there were three interests to buy their church! The price agreed upon for the sale of their church was $115,000. At the same time, a Presbyterian church was disbanding about seven miles away in the city of Hammond, Ind. It was appraised for $165,000. Although it was more money than the East Chicago Spanish members had, the Presbyterian church would meet the congregation's needs very well.

Anxious to secure the property, Luis Beltre Sr., East Chicago Spanish Church pastor, wrote to the Presbyterian church trustees, saying, "…we want to buy your church building.” The English-speaking trustees took the words "church building" literally, because when they accepted the $115,000 offer, they announced that the contents of the church would be removed and sold: pulpit furniture, tables, chairs throughout, three refrigerators, all kitchenware, children's division furnishings, a baby grand piano, plus other pianos, an organ, and on and on.

Now this presented a problem. The Adventist congregation needed and wanted these items and understood their offer included the contents. But the wording of the letter had said they wanted to purchase the "church building," and the trustees interpreted this to mean the Adventists wanted only the building. What a dilemma! Where could they go but to the Lord? And the Lord provided an answer!

The Presbyterians earlier decided the money from the sale of their church was going to various charities in the community. So, the Adventists asked if they could be counted as one of those charities, and requested they donate the contents of the church to them. The trustees agreed, and the contents were all retained for the new Adventist congregation!

The most exciting part of the new church location in Hammond is that it is right across the street from a brand-new elementary school. The school has approximately 1,500 students, with 75 percent being Hispanic! The church members see God's providence in the circumstances of providing this location for their new church at just the right time.

On Sabbath, Jan. 15, the new Hammond Hispanic Church was packed to overflowing. Over 250 people were in attendance for the all-day services celebrating the 50th anniversary of their congregation, along with the inauguration and dedication of their new church! All the Indiana Conference administration attended, as well as four of the congregation's former pastors—Gilberto Bahena, Sergio Gutierrez, Carmelo Mercado, and Ruben Rivera.

Gary Thurber, Indiana Conference president, spoke for the divine worship service in the morning. Afternoon events included a special ribbon-cutting ceremony, a music program, and an inspirational dedication service with featured speaker, Carmelo Mercado, Lake Union Conference vice president and Hispanic ministries coordinator.

The new Hammond Hispanic Church members are most grateful to their pastor and to their Lord for leading them to the wonderful new location for their church building. Members will share a message of hope and salvation with the people in their community during a big evangelistic campaign scheduled this spring.

Judith Yeoman, Indiana Conference correspondent and Gary Case, association secretary