The Christ 2004 meetings, held at the Forest Grove Spanish Church November 6–20, were the result of months of planning and preparation by church members, Bible workers, area pastors, and local and union conference leadership.
North Pacific Union Conference assistants to the president, Steve Vistaunet and Ramon Canals; Oregon Conference ministerial directors, Tom Lemon and Steve Chinn; and children's ministries coordinator, Sherri Uhrig led coordination efforts. Louis Torres contracted with several Bible workers to work full time throughout the summer and fall with help from Mission College of Evangelism students and additional guidance from experienced evangelism leader, Don Gray. Host pastors, Samuel Nunez, Harold Altamirano, David Giles, Roger Hernandez, Richard Morris, and Vio Rosca all got involved in the challenge.
The meetings were a uniquely multicultural experience. Presentations, graphics, and even music used both English and Spanish languages. While that has worked well in overseas projects, some questioned whether it could be done successfully here in the Northwest.
Yet the nightly attendance stayed solid, comprised of both Anglos and Hispanics. And the more than 70 decisions for baptism reveal unmistakable evidence of the Holy Spirit's work. Additional side benefits have been the connections made between each of the six local churches, their pastors and members that predict more good things for the future.
