In 2023, Oregon Conference established the volunteer lay pastors ministry to encourage growth and development of both congregations and men and women who feel called to volunteer pastoral ministry. Since then, the Oregon Conference Latino-Hispanic department has launched this ministry in the Hispanic congregations of Canby, Newberg, Independence, Kelso-Longview and The Dalles, with five extraordinary men who have accepted the call to serve these churches.
Each of these five congregations and five men has a wonderful story to tell about how God has blessed them abundantly. Here’s the story of the Hispanic congregation of The Dalles Spanish Adventist Company.
For years, The Dalles Spanish Company had been the smallest congregation in the Hispanic district of Hood River. In 2020, due to the pandemic and later the lack of a suitable and consistent place to worship, attendance decreased considerably. It was thought the best option might be to merge its few attendees with Hood River Spanish Adventist Church.
However, the Lord had a better plan: to call a volunteer lay pastor to take care of that small group of believers. This is how Miguel García's ministry began.
García previously served as an elder at Hood River Spanish Church. The leadership and the hard work of García and his family, along with tremendous support from Nick Gosney, The Dalles Adventist Church pastor, and his leaders, have been blessed by God.
Where it once seemed a small group of Adventists might disappear, a group of more than 50 people now gather every Sabbath afternoon in the beautiful church of The Dalles, enjoying views of Mount Hood and the Columbia River while they worship the Lord!
Thank you, García and family! Thank you, Nick Gosney and church leaders! Thank you, Lord, for manifesting Your glory in this beautiful part of Oregon Conference!
