Spanish Service at First Baptist Church has come to an end
Yesterday, April 28th, 2019, First Baptist Church had a special combined service with the Hispanic Congregation. During our services we were able to incorporate both languages, English and Spanish. The scripture reading and one of the songs were in Spanish.
We had the priviledge of remembering the origins of "Primera Iglesia Bautista" by Alec Kerfoot.
Dave Holten, as the Moderator of First Baptist Church gave some encouraging words and a presentation to the Pastor Eijiro Campo.
During the Ministerial Prayer, the members of the Hispanic congregation came to the front and stood together, as the members of the English service, stood around them and prayed for God's blessing, and guidance for the new phase of the church.
Pastor Eijiro Campo shared the sermon in both languages about being fully committed to the LORD.
After the service, we had a wonderful fellowship time with a delicious potluck.
Begining on May 1, 2019, the Hispanic congregation of First Baptist Church has moved to Bonavista Baptist Church. The new address 1507 Acadia Drive SE. Worship services are Sundays at 2:00 PM. Come join us!
"A partir del 1 de mayo de 2019 la congregacion hispana de First Baptist Church se ha mudado a Bonavista Baptist Church.
La nueva direccion es 1507 Acadia Drive SE. Los servicios de adoracion son los domingos a las 2:00 PM.
Los esperamos!"
Resume of the History of Primera Iglesia Bautista shared by Alec Kerfoot
In the early 1980s a brutal civil war ravaged El Salvador. A surge of refugees from that tragedy arrived in Calgary. Among the people of FBC at that time were Edgar and Lalia Herrera, Don and Ruth Fraser, and Alec and Carol Kerfoot. All of them spoke some Spanish. Edgar Herrera was a custodian at FBC then, and Alec thinks he was first to see an opportunity to reach out to these newcomers. Edgar, Don, and Alec met with a few of these folk and prayed a lot. Many people arrived bearing nothing but the horrible physical and emotional scars of the violence they had fled. Many were evangelical Christians. They needed a way to read the scriptures, sing worship songs, and pray in their own mother tongue. They needed to encourage one another, help one another, and heal their wounds. The little group that began to gather was hardly a church at first. We would pray on Wednesday nights and Edgar and Don would worship with them on Sundays.
First Spanish Baptist Church was established in 1985 and Marvin Triana was hired as the first Pastor in 1986. Several others have led until Pastor Eijiro undertook responsibility to lead this congregation. Don and Ruth Fraser returned to Bolivia and Brazil in 1985. But Edgar, Alec believes, continued with the Spanish Church for many years.
The names and places of conflict have changed over the ensuing years, and people from many other Latin American nations, and from Spain, have come to worship with us. We are greatly encouraged to see that the church has persevered through various difficulties, and is now ready to open a new chapter in its history. We are a little sad to see you leave, but such is the role of the Mother Church. There comes a time when the kids leave home. It’s a bit sad, but it’s good.
In the early 1980s a brutal civil war ravaged El Salvador. A surge of refugees from that tragedy arrived in Calgary. Among the people of FBC at that time were Edgar and Lalia Herrera, Don and Ruth Fraser, and Alec and Carol Kerfoot. All of them spoke some Spanish. Edgar Herrera was a custodian at FBC then, and Alec thinks he was first to see an opportunity to reach out to these newcomers. Edgar, Don, and Alec met with a few of these folk and prayed a lot. Many people arrived bearing nothing but the horrible physical and emotional scars of the violence they had fled. Many were evangelical Christians. They needed a way to read the scriptures, sing worship songs, and pray in their own mother tongue. They needed to encourage one another, help one another, and heal their wounds. The little group that began to gather was hardly a church at first. We would pray on Wednesday nights and Edgar and Don would worship with them on Sundays.
First Spanish Baptist Church was established in 1985 and Marvin Triana was hired as the first Pastor in 1986. Several others have led until Pastor Eijiro undertook responsibility to lead this congregation. Don and Ruth Fraser returned to Bolivia and Brazil in 1985. But Edgar, Alec believes, continued with the Spanish Church for many years.
The names and places of conflict have changed over the ensuing years, and people from many other Latin American nations, and from Spain, have come to worship with us. We are greatly encouraged to see that the church has persevered through various difficulties, and is now ready to open a new chapter in its history. We are a little sad to see you leave, but such is the role of the Mother Church. There comes a time when the kids leave home. It’s a bit sad, but it’s good.
May God bless you all as you step forward in faith. May all that you do honour our Lord and Saviour and may you each know the blessing of His love and care.
Que Dios les bendigan, hermanos y hermanas. Que todas sus obras, aquí y en su nuevo lugar, traiga honra y gloria al nombre de Jesús, nuestro Señor y Salvador.