Elmore begins Hispanic institute

After hiring Alejandro Pajaro as Hispanic ministries director last year, Elmore Baptist Association has been creating and assisting numerous Hispanic missions in the area. Using the Samford extension program at Beeson Divinity School, the association began the Hispanic Bible Institute in August to train young Hispanics to be pastors and serve in all areas of the church.
   
“The Hispanic population in the state of Alabama is growing exponentially literally on a daily basis,” said Jim Pounds, director of the Samford extension division at Beeson Divinity School. “There are churches being planted but there are not enough Hispanic-speaking men and women to lead these churches. The Hispanic training institute is literally training these ministers for these churches.”
   
Originally located at Calvary Baptist Church, Wetumpka, the institute offers English as a second language, biblical geography, Old Testament and fundamentals of music classes every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.
   
The classes, which are taught in Spanish only and require no background education, were moved to the associational office after the first few meetings.
   
“The program is open to anyone who feels led to learn more about their faith and the Bible,” said Jim Jackson, Elmore’s director of missions. “A total of eight Hispanic ministers and laypersons have enrolled in one or more of the four classes,” he explained. “The ministers are also being mentored by Pajaro and are involved in Hispanic ministry at Ray Baptist Church, Alexander City, and Hispanic work in Clanton, Chilton Association,” Jackson added.
   
According to Jackson, after several years of ministering to Hispanics, Elmore discovered a need to develop the leadership among its missions in the Montgomery, Alexander City, Wetumpka and Tallassee areas.
   
“Alex and I both felt that training was needed to help the missions develop leadership among the people,” he said. “The work would become much stronger. Also, if any of the members of the mission returned to their country of origin — they would be equipped for mission and ministry there.”
   
While students are being trained to minister to other Hispanics who come to the area seeking work, through the program they learn more English, which allows them to get better jobs.
   
“We are trying to train them for the ministry as much as possible because we know that our churches we are going to be forming here in the future are transient,” Pajaro explained. “We are working with the lowest socially established people in the area. Our students are going to grow spiritually and socially to the point where they can bring more attention for the Hispanics in the area (and) their neighbors can see how they are changing in the way they speak and … communicate.” Elmore’s Hispanic ministries are growing steadily and continuing to reach new people and families.
   
“Our groups are growing,” said Pajaro. “We have baptized more than 25 people at the different Hispanic missions this past year.”
   
The association plans to continue the institute as long as students are interested and teachers are available.
   
“With Alex as our Hispanic ministries director, we are always open to whatever projects or ministries may help us reach our community and county for Christ,” Jackson stated.