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A neighborhood block party kicked off the missions week. Photo courtesy Alabama CBF
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Vestavia Hills Baptist Church's youth ministry stayed close to home this year for its mission trip, partnering with the new Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Hispanic church start in Hoover, Ala.
With help from Alabama CBF and national CBF, 10 Alabama churches pooled their resources to start the Hispanic church. Jorge Camacho, a student at Fellowship partner school Baptist University of the Américas, will pastor the new church.
"This is a new beginning for the Camacho family and a new beginning for the CBF Hispanic ministry in the Birmingham area," said Mike McBrayer, minister to students at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church.
The theme for the mission week, which kicked off with a block party, was "New Beginnings." The youth led three camps at area apartment complexes. The mission theme carried over in the camps, with an emphasis on teaching a new beginning in Christ.
Upon their arrival to Alabama June 1, the Camacho family was met by 35 volunteers who helped them move into their new home.
"I expected help, but not this much help," said Camacho. "It is a big blessing to see all of this support. It has made us feel so welcome."
Camacho has already begun plans to establishing Bible studies and English classes in his home.
"There is a lot of work to be done to reach out to the Hispanic community to make them feel comfortable and to trust who we are, what we are doing, and why we are here," Camacho said.
In addition to Vestavia Hills, churches partnering in the Hispanic church start include Fellowship of the Valley, Hoover; University Baptist, Montevallo; Crosscreek Baptist, Pelham; Shades Crest Baptist, Hoover; First Baptist, Huntsville; and Baptist Church of the Covenant, Southside Baptist and Riverchase Baptist, all in Birmingham.
To learn about partnership opportunities involving Hispanic church starts, contact Bernie Moraga at bmoraga@thefellowship.info or (800) 352-8741.
CBF is a fellowship of Baptist Christians and churches who share a passion for the Great Commission and a commitment to Baptist principles of faith and practice. The Fellowship’s mission is to serve Christians and churches as they discover and fulfill their God-given mission.