1. Construction of our first building is just the beginning. The long range plan is to build a Christian school so that parents in our community have the option of a low cost Christian education.
2. The advance of the Kingdom and the Gospel, especially in the Hispanic/Latino community, is hindered most by the lack of trained leaders. For example, in the world, only around 5-10% of pastors have theological training. For many Hispanic leaders, seminary training is not an option - due to language barriers, lack of undergraduate degrees and costs - so we hope to provide high quality, on-site/online, Bible and ministry training to Christian leaders of all backgrounds. In addition, those with a background of theological training need continued advanced education or opportunities to explore how the Gospel applies to the current culture and society. In this way, we hope to be a support for the other Hispanic/Latino churches and pastors in our community.
3. Many in the Hispanic/Latino community also struggle with immigration and English learner needs. Having a building will allow us to expand our immigrant assistance program - including a legal clinic, job assistance, help using government agencies and ESL classes. Most importantly we hope to reach out with the Gospel to those in need.
4. The education ministry of the church hopes to extend into the secular community by providing self-improvement courses to court assigned or other needed training such as anger management, parenting and marriage skills, AA programs in Spanish, domestic violence counseling, required community service hours, etc... The hope is that connecting with the educational needs of our community we can also open the doors to sharing the Gospel.
2. The advance of the Kingdom and the Gospel, especially in the Hispanic/Latino community, is hindered most by the lack of trained leaders. For example, in the world, only around 5-10% of pastors have theological training. For many Hispanic leaders, seminary training is not an option - due to language barriers, lack of undergraduate degrees and costs - so we hope to provide high quality, on-site/online, Bible and ministry training to Christian leaders of all backgrounds. In addition, those with a background of theological training need continued advanced education or opportunities to explore how the Gospel applies to the current culture and society. In this way, we hope to be a support for the other Hispanic/Latino churches and pastors in our community.
3. Many in the Hispanic/Latino community also struggle with immigration and English learner needs. Having a building will allow us to expand our immigrant assistance program - including a legal clinic, job assistance, help using government agencies and ESL classes. Most importantly we hope to reach out with the Gospel to those in need.
4. The education ministry of the church hopes to extend into the secular community by providing self-improvement courses to court assigned or other needed training such as anger management, parenting and marriage skills, AA programs in Spanish, domestic violence counseling, required community service hours, etc... The hope is that connecting with the educational needs of our community we can also open the doors to sharing the Gospel.