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God is igniting NCBC partners with a passion to reach Latinos in our district. The Latino population in Northern California will be 4.5 million by 2010, and almost 6 million by 2020 (California Department of Finance Demographic Research Unit projections, 2006), making this a fast-growing ministry opportunity.
Here's how God is at work as we work together to reach Latinos: Many of our NCBC English-speaking congregations want to reach out to Latinos in their communities, but there is a language barrier.
There is an answer: a Latino Partner Congregation. An English-speaking congregation provides worship space for a Spanish language service. The Latino congregation can partner with them in outreaches, children's and youth ministries.
Being a fluent Spanish speaker and working with the Latino LEAD Team, I know of many ways we can help your church plant a Latino Partner Congregation.
We will help recruit, assess, train and coach a Latino pastor. We also provide support in the planting process.
If you are interested in a Latino Partner Congregation, let's discuss the possibilities with your church leadership.
To prepare to plant Latino Partner Congregations, NCBC is launching two important initiatives.
The first is a Spanish Language Church Planting Assessment Center for couples to explore and be evaluated for fit and readiness to plant. It will be held on October 25-28 in Fresno, at New Covenant Community Church.
The second initiative is to provide theological and ministry training in Spanish for current and prospective Latino pastors. We will begin classes in January 2008 in three district locations. The courses will be provided by FLET (Facultad Latinoamericana de estudios teológicos), who has been providing theological training for over 25 years.
We continue to work with LEAD Teams, NCBC churches who wish to plant through parenting, and we are working on an adoption project. God is at work as we work together!
Paul Root
Associate Minister, Church Planting
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