BPUMC

One of the joys of missionary itineration is to visit previous places of ministry and witness the growth of past initiatives. One such place for me is Baldwin Park UMC where, in the late 90s we began mapping out possibilities for an intentional hispanic ministry. With the help of Rafael and Toña Rios and some grants cobbled together we began visiting the neighborhoods and community agencies to develop initial networks. Seeing a need to address the concerns of women and children, we established Fe, Comida y Arte as a Saturday program for organizing neighborhood families through music and the arts. Since those days, the couple has gone on to local pastor training and certification.

Part of the outcome of these efforts is this group of folk-dancing youth. I was surprised to see them first during one day at Annual Conference. They performed as people emerged from a morning session. They danced energetically again last Sunday during lunch after I preached at Baldwin Park.

I bear witness to the wonder of God's grace throughout the history of this church east of Los Angeles. Two generations ago, my great uncle, Harry McFarland, was the pastor. During my first years of ministry there in the mid-90s I visited one elderly lady who remember his "big voice". At one time the church boasted hundreds of membership. But over the years those people and their families moved on while other kinds of folks moved in.

Thankfully, God still remains and goes before us.

--georgos