UMTV Web Brief 9/30 –

Welcome to UMTV’s web brief, I’m Reed Galin.

One in eight people in this country, roughly 30-million, claim Hispanic heritage. Enrique Gonzalez sees that as an opportunity for ministry. He began his work in Dallas three years ago in the most unlikely of places.

ENRIQUE GONZALEZ LITERALLY USED HIS HEAD WHEN HE WANTED TO REACH OUT TO HIS HISPANIC NEIGHBORS.

“A beauty center is the place where you know everybody.”

HE APPROACHED SHOP OWNER DELOREZ SANCHEZ FOR HELP.

“He said you send ‘em and I’ll talk to ‘em, I said okay so that’s how we work as a team.”

IN 1999, ELMWOOD UNITED METHODIST HAD NO HISPANIC MINISTRY. TODAY THE CHURCH SERVES NEARLY 100 IMMIGRANT FAMILIES .

“We knock the doors through Project Transformation so that the people gain confidence in us because we are taking care of their children in the time they are working.”

THE BIBLE-BASED PROGRAM MATCHES COLLEGE KIDS AND ELMWOOD’S SENIORS TOGETHER WITH CHILDREN IN THE AREA.

ENRIQUE IS SERIOUS ABOUT SERVING THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

“We cannot continue thinking in ethnic perspective if we want to continue to live in the United States.”

HIS NEXT GOAL: TO EARN A DOCTORATE IN EVANGELISM.

“Sometimes I’m thinking I’m part of the religious NAFTA.”

HE’S WHAT ONE MIGHT CALL A ‘GOOD NEWS’ AMBASSADOR.

“My boss is God so I’m serving Him for the rest of my life.”

Last year Elmwood reported 40 new members – the most in one year since 1973.

Luis Bernard, pastor of Hispanic Ministry at Arlington United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee focuses his efforts on reaching what he calls a “fluid” Hispanic community.

He says that many of his members are only around for a few months before better work opportunities come along. He says those few months are critical.

Most Spanish speaking persons that come here don’t come here because they have spiritual needs, they come here because they need a job.

When they move out here they’re very lonely. They have no friends, no family members, no support system.

A lot of immigrants or migrant workers or refugees are scared. And they don’t know if that person in that church or that congregation can be trusted.

For us it is a challenge to make them aware that above and beyond what they are seeking there are some spiritual needs.

I think the best reward is to see somebody who comes from a different country, looking for better quality of life, struggling with language, housing, work, school for their children, being totally confused, and church being here for them. And little by little, you can see that person find their way.

For many people, church can be a place to feel "at home" -- safe, and free of the pressures of the outside world. As Kim Riemland reports, that is certainly the case for a group of women at a little-known church in Seattle.

“Let’s open the service in prayer.”

REVEREND PAT SIMPSON HAS A PROBLEM OF WHICH FEW PASTORS WOULD COMPLAIN – HER CONGREGATION IS GROWING. IT’S A CONCERN BECAUSE REVEREND PAT’S CHURCH SERVES WOMEN WHO ARE HOMELESS.

“We re-image Jesus Christ as a forgiving and healing mother, father, sister, brother, friend and savior, who himself was homeless, abused and killed on a cross.”

THE CHURCH OF MARY MAGDALENE SITS IN SEATTLE’S CENTRAL CORE, IN THE BASEMENT OF THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.

THIS CHURCH HAS NO PEWS, BUT DONATED COUCHES. THE COLLECTION PLATE DOESN’T HOLD MONEY, BUT BURNED UP BURDENS – SCRATCHED ON SCRAPS OF PAPER – FINALLY READY TO BE RELEASED.

THIS CONGREGATION “IS” DIFFERENT, BUT REVEREND PAT SAYS, ONLY BY DEGREE.

“Mental illness, addiction, homelessness, family problems, death and grief; all those things happen in regular congregations. There are just more per capita here, each woman carrying several of those burdens.”

ARNETTE ADAMS WAS HOMELESS FOR NINE YEARS. SHE HAS A PLACE TO LIVE NOW, BUT COMES HERE TO WORSHIP.

“Belonging, I feel there is a need here and I feel the Lord has blessed me to be here.”

“That you love each one of us so much, and that you walk beside us each day.”

IT IS A SAFE PLACE, WHERE THESE WOMEN FIND HEALING, HOPE AND SISTERHOOD – IN A FAMILY CREATED BY CIRCUMSTANCE, NOURISHED BY FAITH.

IN SEATTLE, I’M KIM RIEMLAND REPORTING.

The Church of Mary Magdalene is supported by donations and volunteers from many denominations. Worship services are on Saturday mornings, but the "church" serves as a day shelter during the week. It offers laundry, meals, showers, access to community services, and a warm, dry place for the women to stay during the day.

On the next UMTV web brief …

The challenges of making sure no child is left behind.