Gospel, ‘liquid gold’ used to reach out to Hispanics

It was an “Experiencing God” class more than six years ago that taught Carlos Gomez about working where he finds the Lord.
   
Since then, Gomez has been working to help create a Hispanic mission at First Baptist Church, Center Point.
   
In a bilingual service, Gomez translated Pastor Ryan Whitley’s words during the Feb. 20 commissioning service for the mission.
   
“I see it becoming a full-standing church that addresses the spiritual, social and mental needs of the Hispanic community,” Whitley said.
   
Whitley said Center Point has a large number of Hispanics. 
   
“This church, this community of faith has the potential to become an international church,” he said. Whitley called English “liquid gold,” because it is necessary to make money in the United States.
   
Whitley said he believes that is why the church’s English-as-a-second-language classes are popular. “We offer them worship in their native language,” and the classes are free, he said.
   
Retired from the state department of revenue since October 1998, Gomez has spent the last five years teaching English as a second language. The Hispanics began meeting in November 1994. Gomez said the English classes draw the Hispanics to the mission, which opens doors to talk about Jesus.
   
Gomez said he is happy to have the “backing of the staff and the church … so people will know we have Sunday School in Spanish.”
   
Averaging about 30 people a week, Gomez said, “By the end of the year, you’re going to see a real church.”
   
Gomez, who is originally from Puerto Rico and has been living in the United States 38 years, said the mission will be getting a summer missionary to help with teaching and other areas of the ministry. English classes are held each Sunday morning and Wednesday night. A Spanish service is held before the English class on Sundays.
   
He said the mission will soon start meeting in the church’s chapel. Gomez said he expects the chapel to be full by the end of the year.
   
Reaching out to the Hispanics is a much-needed area of ministry Gomez said. While the English classes are offered to everyone, Hispanics make up a majority of the students.
   
The Feb. 20 service was a special time for First Baptist, Center Point, said Whitley. It was the first bilingual service the church ever had. The sermon notes and the order of worship were printed in English and Spanish. Randall C. Hall, minister of music, even taught the congregation the Spanish version of “Because He Lives,” which was also printed in the order of worship. The sermon was on one of the most important verses in the Bible, Whitley said, John 3:16.
   
The church has eight teachers approved by the Birmingham Baptist Association, who teach English as a second language, including Gomez and his wife, Daina.
   
Gomez said most Hispanics who come to the United States are Catholic but do not attend services. “They’re just Catholic by tradition,” he said.
   
While most Spanish people believe the nucleus is the family, Gomez said he tries to teach them to put the Lord first and family second.
   
“I explain to them (Christianity) is a way of life. This is not a religion,” he said.
   
With his experience in the department of revenue, Gomez said he tries to teach people to follow the rules of the United States, including paying taxes.