Catalytic Church Planter Korner
For those who don’t know, I am your new Catalytic Church Planter for the CENLA area. My name is David Garza Jr. Lydia, my wife of 25 years and I have 3 children, Sarah (19), Raquel (16), and David III (Trey) 13. We have ministered in Texas in the pastoral role for 12 years and served in Ecuador, South America as IMB missionaries for 8 years. The Lord has brought me to central Louisiana to start new churches and the greatest need for this area is the Hispanic community, which will be the main focal group in my efforts. It is obvious to most, that the Hispanic community has been steadily growing in the Alexandria/Pineville area and there are no Hispanic evangelical churches in which to worship. I will be using the House Church Model to begin new works in the area. There are a few believers in the Pineville/Ball area that I pray will be the catapult to a new church start.
I have already seen and met many Hispanics that are excited about the possibility to sing and pray in their heart language. One couple has already offered their apartment to begin having Bible studies in and they are not believers. Pray along with me that the Father will continue to stir the hearts of those He wants to use in His work.
You can be involved in this ministry in many ways. Besides the obvious of prayer and sharing the Gospel, I have Spanish tracts that can be used to make an initial contact. The tracts have my name and phone number on them, so the people can get in touch with me if they so chose.
If you know of a Hispanic family that needs help with translation, please let me know. I would be more than happy to help with those needs as well.
Thank you and God bless you,
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Monthly Report for February
Contacts: I have made 18 phone contacts with prospects
First Time Personal Contacts: 6
The ministry is still in the foundational phase of development. As I continue to learn the area and get to meet new people, I am understanding more of the situation of the Hispanics in the CENLA area. This information will help me develop a better strategic plan for church starts.
I have learned that most Hispanic in the area are not even 1st generation Hispanics. This will affect the way ministry will take place, particularly the development of a church start.
I am currently having one Bible study a week with 4 Hispanic believers. We meet twice this month. We are meeting in “His Church” in Pineville. Steve Spear, Pastor of this church has offered his building to begin a Hispanic Work. We have had an average of 14 people in these meetings, not all being Hispanic prospects. In these meetings we have sang hymns, studied, and had intercessory prayer.
My goal is to model an evangelical bible study for the purpose starting home Bible studies in different areas of the city.
My plans for next month are to have an addition Bible study on a different day of the week with non believers for the purpose of sharing the gospel in a way that is duplicable.
David Garza Jr.
Catalytic Church Planter CenLA Area
Baptist Mission Center
2201 Melrose Street * Pineville, Louisiana 71360
318/445-5772 * dgarza@suddenlinkmail.com
