I was 39 years old when God called me to preach. I became the Jr. Church preacher at Pleasant Hill and preached to the kids every week for about 2 ½ years. I had been on three mission trips and really felt like God would eventually call us in that direction. I felt like it would probable be some kind of Spanish work, but I was open and willing for anything.
As that desire became stronger, I began to wonder why God wouldn't give me peace about certain needy places that I heard about. One day in a store, we passed by a Hispanic family and it was like He spoke to my heart and said "because THEY need you."
There are now over 42 million Hispanics in this country. Believe it or not, most of those are here legally. Many people are not excited about the fact that so many are here - but they ARE here. God has presented us with a great opportunity to reach out to these religious, yet spiritually-blind people.
Many good Christians ask why we need Spanish-speaking churches; why can't they just come in with us? If we were dropped off in the middle of Mexico, most of us would be able to find a place to stay and something to eat. But - could we understand the directions to get back home? Likewise, they can't accept God's message until they can understand God's message! That's the burden and call that God has given us.
God said go ye into all the world. Well, all the world has come to us. Now, what are we going to do about it!
