Why I’m Planting Among Hispanics In West Orlando

In 1 John 4:19 we read “We love because He loved us first” and it serves as a reminder of our calling to love others in the way we have been loved by God.

I moved to Orlando in 2001. When I left the airplane, I had the certainty that God loved me and had great plans for my life. The passenger next to me asked me the reason for my travels. After sharing the reason for my trip, she gave me a business card and said, “If you need help with anything, give me a call”. I felt God showed His care and love by providing me with assurance that my needs were before Him and that all would be taken care of. 

Coming to a new country presents many challenges for different people. One might lose the sense of belonging among people, culture and community. The sense of starting all over again, the how, and the where, can create a sense of hopelessness in a new place and new reality. 

El Pueblo is a community of people where the struggles of this new reality can be met with the Hope of Jesus. As I received it twenty-two years ago, we want to give people a hope in the different aspects of life such as, community, fellowship, family, integration into the culture and the opportunity to develop as new citizens in the American culture. 

For me, planting a church is a direct call from God to share the gospel in a context that others can understand, relate to and receive from. The gospel, shared in a specific context, can create a community that will make the great commission a reality by making disciples of all nations. 

Experiencing the love of God must drive us to share it with others. We are God’s representatives to change people’s lives here and now. Providing hope requires an intentional effort to provide learning opportunities such as the English language, cultural integration (living in the new culture, without losing your own culture of origin), and to celebrate the journey and work that God started. 

As we experience God in our context, the gospel will shape the believer’s perspective, meaning and purpose with a new hope in Jesus. 

As you think of your own journey with God, would you consider joining El Pueblo in what God is doing in the lives of those facing the challenges of a new reality? You probably know someone who’s trying “to make it” so you know the struggle, you know the pain. This is what many immigrants are experiencing today in our communities, places of work and even in our congregation. 

Let’s make God’s grace and love tangible.

In Christ,

Eduardo