Taking a missional new look at Freeport, Texas

Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Freeport, Texas for many years has seen the migration of its members out of their town and the growth of a lively Latino population.  The declining in membership lately is not stopping them from looking for new ways to do outreach and invigorate themselves with new vision.

In spite of only having a pastor come once a week, they began youth activities to reach to the young population around them.  They recently asked the local schools if they might know of a musician that could come and help and they got a great keyboardist now that livens up their worship.  They are then going to venture into reaching out to the Latinos under the guidance of our Synod.

On Saturday, October 22, 2011, Pastor Pedro Suarez, Director for Evangelical Mission of the TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod convened a meeting with St. Paul's Church Council, Pr. Preston Weatherly (who is currently helping there on a regular basis on Sundays), Pr. Pedro (Pete) Lopez from St. John's in Angleton, and Rosy Delgado from the Latino community in Freeport.

After listening to Rev. Suarez' presentation, the council members of St. Paul were open to having something new and purposeful as a developing of a ministry that will help them do some outreach to the large Latino community around them. 

Pr. Pedro Lopez from nearby St. John's Lutheran Church in Angleton had expressed lots of interest from his congregation and himself to support in whatever is needed to get some Latino Ministry going in Freeport, kind of a congregational partnership.  As some of you may know, he is a Spanish speaker.  

Pr. Preston Weatherly also has some knowledge of Spanish and can do a good job reading the liturgy  

and conversing a little as well.  He is very supportive of this effort too.

Rosy Delgado used to live in Wisconsin a few years ago and became a very active member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison, where Rev. Suarez used to serve.  She was an instrument in helping Pr. Pedro getting a Latino ministry satellite going in Wisconsin Dells.  She drove an hour every Sunday to come to Bethel. Rosy is a very gregarious person and knows what to do to get a Prayer Circle/Bible Study going.  Although she in limited in her English, that has never stopped her.  

With some guidance from our experienced DEM, and this combination of leadership, we have a great chance of getting something started that will develop in a healthy ministry.  Rosy already has a key to the parsonage, which needs a lot of TLC before they do anything there.  The plan is to get a Prayer Circle going before we even think about starting a regular worship in the sanctuary.  It is much cheaper to cool or heat the parsonage that it is the Sanctuary.  As you know, they have very limited funding.

However, there are some challenges. 

- The Roman Catholic church is very near, only a few blocks away.  It is a beautiful building, very appealing to Latinos, and with 2 masses in Spanish a week that get packed.  According to Rosy, they have a very good priest. 

- The facilities at St. Paul are somewhat deteriorated and don't look all that attractive.

Rev. Pedro Suarez will be working with Rosy and Pr. Pete on a missional plan and we ask for everyone's prayers.

If you and your congregation would like to join St. Paul's effort, your partnership is more than welcome.  Please contact Rev. Pedro Suarez at the Synod office.