Hispanic Outreach
at Messiah
New Hispanic
worship services have begun at Messiah Lutheran Church. Social
services aimed at the human care needs of the area immigrant
community are also in the planning stage.
Under the
leadership of recently installed Pastor Tony Massenelli, Messiah has
established an impressive outreach to the thriving Hispanic
community in the Golden Gate area of Collier County. Pastor Tony
reports:
“Independent pastor J.R. Pagan and his
wonderful, talented family are joining this congregation and
strengthening the vision of Messiah as a truly international, Great
Commission church: a place where the gospel is preached to all
nations. What a blessing they are to us…and we will be to them!
Pastor J.R. is taking steps toward receiving instruction to become a
certified Lutheran pastor, and he will be teaching Luther’s Small
Catechism – in Spanish – to his congregation of 15 – 20 worshippers,
who will also be joining Messiah. Yah God!”
Pastor Tony also reports that
Messiah is also developing an action plan for helping the Haitians
in the area.
We are making plans to open a
fourth Amigos Center at Messiah. Volunteers already teach English
as a Second Language. Plans include legal immigration help and
other social services to the surrounding immigrant community.
Pastor Tony’s motto is: “Jesus’ blood ran red but heals people of
all colors.”
Response to our
need
On August 13 Hurricane Charley
passed through northern Lee County on its way across Florida.
Our Kingston Amigos
Center suffered severe damage from a fallen tree. We hope to
replace or repair the unit in the near future. Both Faith Lutheran
Church, Naples and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans have offered
financial help. The Bonita Banner (September 15, 2004) newspaper
wrote a nice article about our situation.
http://www.naplesnews.com/npdn/bn_banner/article/0,2071,NPDN_14882_3180888,00.html
Theological Education
We begin a new theology course
on Saturday October 2 with four students. The course is called
“Jesus of Nazareth, My Lord”. It forms one of the ten core courses
of the Hispanic Theology Institute of the Lutheran Church-Missouri
Synod. The class meets every other Saturday afternoon. Our first
class will be held in Miami where we will meet with theology
professors and students from Southeast Florida. All other classes
will be held in Bonita Springs. The Hispanic Theology Institute is
accredited with Concordia Seminary, St. Louis and serves the
national church by preparing Spanish speaking pastors and church
leaders.
LaPlaya Golf
We need help planning our
November 6 golf outing. This is our first golf fundraising event.
The outing will be held at LaPlaya Golf Club on Immokalee Road in
Naples. If you can help recruit players and/or sponsors please call
Pastor Bob 437-6727.
Website
Visit our new and improved
bilingual website:
www.amigoscenter.org.
Give thanks to God
for . . .
Ř
The outpouring support for the restoration of our Amigos
Kingston Center;
Ř
The outpouring of God’s grace through the growing ministries of
Messiah Lutheran
Pray for . . .
Ř
Our fund raising golf outing;
Ř
Our theology students.
