A New Approach to Outreach and Evangelism

Cross Cultural Ministries is new to the Pacific Conference. For almost 20 years, the Conference has sponsored several Hispanic Ministries through our churches in Oregon and Washington. In addition, several of our congregations have been working with other ethic groups which have interest in becoming a part of the Evangelical Church. As the immigrant population increases in the US, we will continue to see growth in this area. A phenomenon that is occurring is that many of these groups are trying to reach their particular community here in the US, and send missionaries back to their homelands in order to win them for Christ. This provides a strategy for Missions that is superior to sending English-speaking Americans to these countries.

In the days ahead, we will have more to report on these ministry developments.

Hispanic Ministries

Currently the Conference is sponsoring the Amor y Vida (Love and Life) Church in Salem, OR at the former Middle Grove Evangelical Church. Pastor Jose Meza and his wife Norma, have been pastoring there since September. Previously they built a congregation of new-believers in Unionvale, which closed this summer. These families are the core of the new congregation at Amor y Vida. The Meza's are conducting ESL classes to reach the community. They are also involved in the lives of a number of Hispanics who are not current attenders of the church. Several have found Christ and this congregation will continue to grow!

You can help this ministry by praying for the Meza's and their congregation, and by becoming financially involved. Pastor Jose is dependent upon share support to make up most of his salary. Program expenses are being covered by the Conference as well as a small base salary and a parsonage. We are encouraging our churches to become partners in ministry with us reaching the Hispanic Community in the greater Salem area, and beyond in the years to come.

Above Left: Dedication Service for the Amor y Vida 12/10/05
Left to right -- Supt. Vic Slaughter, Dr. Bill Vermillion, Pastor Jose Meza.

Above Right: Hispanic Congregation for Dedication of the former Middle Grove Church
in Salem for use as a Cross-Cultural Ministries Center.