Riverside Baptist tailors service to Hispanics

A Chilean man strums a guitar as voices raise in praise: “Tu nombre levantare,” he sings. Although the words may not be familiar to an English speaker, the music would be, as the words are lyrics to the praise and worship song, “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High.”
   
This song, as well as many others are regularly sung at the international service held at St. Clair Association’s Riverside Baptist Church.
   
The Chilean guitarist happens to be the church’s part-time minister of music, David Valenzuela, who received his post-secondary education from two Southern Baptist institutions — Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Assisting Valenzuela in Riverside’s international ministry is his wife, Adriana, who operates a translating service.
   
On this particular October Sunday, one side of the sanctuary was close to capacity with people who had come to attend the 4 p.m. service, which was spoken in Spanish.
   
Among the countries represented were Ecuador, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Guatemala and Bolivia.
   
The services, which began two months ago, have already resulted in two people accepting Christ as Lord of their lives, said Valenzuela.
   
Ronnie Cheatwood, pastor of Riverside Baptist, said the church began its international ministry because it was obvious God was leading them in that direction.
   
“There are so many Spanish-speaking people in the community who are looking for an answer,” Cheatwood explained.
   
He pointed out that God not only brought the Valenzuelas to the church, but also placed Spanish speaking members in the congregation such as Gloria Steele and Jose Munoz.
  
“These people are here for a purpose,” Cheatwood said.
   
“God designed and placed the ministry here at Riverside,” he added.
   
Riverside’s international services are mostly led by Valenzuela, who follows the traditional worship pattern of songs, Bible study and offering.
   
Each person entering the service is greeted by Munoz, who is originally from Mexico and is retired from the U.S. Army.
   
He offers them the use of New Testament Bibles, which read “Nuevo Testamento.”
   
This type of ministry isn’t new to the Valenzuelas, who have also served at Cedar Grove Baptist Church, Leeds, and Crestway Baptist Church, Birmingham.
   
The dedicated couple has also assisted in international ministries at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, Homewood, and Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Vestavia Hills.
   
They also have gone on missions trips to Peru with Shades Mountain and to Venezuela with New Temple Baptist Church, Dora.
   
The Valenzuelas, who have recorded a CD and have a music ministry, say they like to find opportunities to reach out to internationals, especially through their music.
   
The services at Riverside, Valenzuela explained, are providing needed fellowship in many ways to the Hispanic community.
   
For some, he said, the services are a place of comfort, a chance to be with other Spanish speakers.
For others, the services pique curiosity, which he feels could eventually lead them to receiving Jesus Christ as their Savior.
   
The services are an avenue for helping people become rooted in the Word,” said the Valenzuelas, who also speak Portuguese.
   
“One day, these people may return to their native countries. If they have accepted Christ as their Savior and have grown as Christians, they can be missionaries wherever they go,” Valenzuela predicted.
   
Although a visitation program hasn’t yet been established for the international services at Riverside, Cheatwood said there is a burden to start one.
   
There are also plans to expand the ministry to disciple and address needs that come to light in the local international community, according to the Valenzuelas.
   
“We’re willing to minister any way we can,” said Valenzuela.
   
“In the way God leads us,” his wife added.