Volunteers from First Baptist Church, Pelham; Iglesia Bethel, Calera; and The Church at Brook Hills, Birmingham, came together to minister to the predominately Hispanic residents of the University Mobile Home Park in Montevallo during Families on Mission (FOM).
Eleven families participated in FOM and were able to share Christ’s love with 40 children and nine adults.
The week began July 7 with prayer walking and canvassing the neighborhood, followed by backyard Bible clubs July 9–11.
The children, who ranged in age from 2 to 14, rotated through four stations each morning — music, crafts, Bible class and recreation — while the adults learned about the Bible from Iglesia Bethel Pastor Felipe Rangel and his wife, Yaneth. By the end of the week at least 20 children prayed to receive Christ, Rangel said.
“We’ve been well received,” said Andie Bell, site leader and volunteer. “We’re here to love on the kids and the rest is minor details.”
This is Bell’s fourth year being involved in FOM and had three of her five children at the ministry site with her, helping as much as they were able at the various stations.
Bell, a member of First Baptist, Pelham, said her favorite part about FOM is that it is local. “We can come back very easily. They’re our neighbors and being this close, we’ll see them when we run errands or go to Walmart.”
Also from First, Pelham, Yadira Estrada was a valuable volunteer because she speaks Spanish fluently. Estrada’s bilingualism was very helpful during registration and helped the mobile home residents feel at ease, Bell said.
“I always point back to God,” Estrada said, referring to how she got recruited to participate in this ministry. “[My husband and I] have been asking Him for purpose, and here I am.”
The week flew by for Estrada and her daughter, Emilia, she said, making the last day a bittersweet experience.
“I’m not ready for it to end,” Estrada said. “But I think people have been touched. The love of Christ has no language.”
Through this event a seed was planted in this community. Rangel and Iglesia Bethel will water and nurture that seed to fruition through a weekly Bible study on Tuesday mornings with some of the adults from the mobile home park.
Rangel is experienced in nurturing young believers. Iglesia Bethel began as a congregation of two and has grown to a congregation of 120 with the support of Northside Baptist Church, Calera.
Northside Baptist has shared its facilities and resources with Iglesia Bethel, allowing Rangel to focus on reaching out to new believers. Thanks to FOM, Rangel said two families expressed an interest in joining Iglesia Bethel. “The week was amazing,” Rangel said. “It was a great experience.”
At the end of the week, Shelby Baptist Association purchased Bibles for every child in University Mobile Home Park, as well as for the children in Belle Vista Trailer Park.
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