In 1994, First Baptist Church, Center Point, introduced an emphasis on Spanish ministry. Before long that “emphasis” had grown into a full-fledged Spanish-speaking service held each week, in addition to the English-speaking one. The church’s congregation shares Sunday School, and then the Spanish speakers attend a service in the chapel while the English speakers meet in the sanctuary.
“The Hispanic population has grown significantly over the last couple of years,” said Buddy McGohon, who recently served as interim pastor for First, Center Point, for about 18 months. “Usually the Hispanic service averages 120 a Sunday. The Anglo group averages about 120 each Sunday as well. At this juncture, they’re almost equal.”
Though both groups are equally members of First, Center Point, the language barrier can prove to be difficult to navigate at times. McGohon estimates that about one-third of the Spanish speakers also speak English — a percentage that’s not nearly as high on the English-speakers’ side. The Hispanic portion of the church (called Iglesia Bautista Hispana de Center Point) is especially prevalent in the children’s and youth departments. McGohon said the youth group is “almost entirely Hispanic.”
Joint services
Initially the two groups would meet together for joint services about once a year, but starting about a year and a half ago they decided to increase their frequency to at least one joint service per quarter.
Carlos Gomez, pastor of Iglesia Bautista Hispana, said, “The practice of having joint services has helped to integrate the bilingual children and the youth into the worship in the English services. The integration of Spanish-speaking children and youth has encouraged the people of the church, in that both the English and Spanish groups are increasing in size.”
Gomez and McGohon work together to plan these joint services. Part of the service is in Spanish with Gomez translating to English and the rest is in English with Gomez translating to Spanish. They sing songs that both groups know and alternate between English and Spanish lyrics.
In late August, during one of these joint services, First, Center Point, ordained two men as deacons.
McGohon said, “This year, a Hispanic gentleman who has been a member of the church for many years was elected as a deacon, and so was an 85-year-old Anglo man who had been attending the church for many years. Both parts of the congregation vote, so they were both elected by the total congregation.”
Freddie Bagwell had been attending First, Center Point, for many years but felt called to do something more, so he prayed about what that next step might be for him. Not long after, he was nominated as a deacon by a fellow church member.
Adan Martinez, the other man ordained, was the first Hispanic man to become a deacon at the church.
Gomez and McGohon are both looking forward to the way the future of the church unfolds.
“We really don’t have any models to look for as far as how we can grow, but it’s exciting,” McGohon said. “I think the church has a wonderful future, what with its ability to function as one.”
Gomez also is encouraged by the way the church is evolving and is proud of its progress.
“We as Southern Baptists have crossed the bridge and broken the mold,” Gomez said. “We know that anything is possible with God, and it gives us great pleasure to see God’s hand on the church’s ministry here at FBC Center Point.”
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