Rev. Samuel Robles Jr.

Day 2 was productive! The teachings were great, and Hilda and I began to work on the mission, vision, and values. Wow! Developing the mission and vision statements is a lot of work, and it’s surely not final. What makes it a bit more challenging is that we’re also dealing with a complicated demographic: the bilingual community. It’s not that bilingual folks are difficult, it’s how to convey and articulate bilingualism in the United States, and to other Hispanics that is difficult.
I am aware that we will receive criticism from other Hispanics in regards to this kind of ministry. Many Hispanics don’t believe in bilingualism (I've heard them say this), and that “the youth need to cling to their roots.” However, we’re not disregarding our roots. We’re affirming them while living in the United States. This ministry is dealing with the reality of our 2nd, 3rd and beyond generations living and born in the U.S.
Simply put, I am tired of seeing youth, children, adults, and families leave the church and go to the streets just simply because they don’t understand a Spanish sermon. All I am trying to do is target the people that the Spanish dominant speaking churches are neglecting. We are a Hispanic church, it’s just that we are expressing our culture in English, and Spanish, and Spanglish. None the less, we’re going to continue to work on this, and continue to trust in God.

Well, with all the hard work we did today, what topped it off was hearing Bishop Tom Benjamin from Light of the World preach! Hilda and I haven’t heard him preach since I became student pastor at Casa del Alfarero a couple of years ago (Hilda and I are actually “watch-care members” of Light of the World). Bishop preached! And he confirmed what Hilda and I feel called to do. He preached on the renewing of our mind, a shift on how we do things. This new bilingual church is exactly that! I thank God for this training so far, and I feel empowered and encouraged by God to see this dream and vision become a reality.

More tomorrow!