Hispanic Reformation

June 30, 2007

Author: JOE RODRIGUEZ AND ICESS FERNANDEZ

Source: The Wichita Eagle

http://www.kansas.com/news/local/story/110957.html

When Milca Molina moved to Wichita from Los Angeles nearly 20 years ago, there were two evangelical churches in the city that had a predominantly Spanish-speaking congregation. Today, there are more than 15, according to Molina, who helped start one of them -- Iglesia Cristiana Nueva Jerusalem, 1650 S. Broadway. Molina serves as associate pastor of the church. Her husband is pastor.

"We are reaching out to people," Molina said, "and the churches are growing."

Take the Molinas' church, for example. Molina and her husband, Azarel, started the church 15 years ago, and it had fewer than 40 members.

The church now has a congregation of about 300 and is planning to soon purchase its first church building. It currently holds its worship services at the former Kansas Blue Print building.

The boom among Hispanic evangelical Christians isn't limited to Wichita.