Greater Service
Rev. Ernie Contreras, from Texas, was called to continue serving Hispanics in the ABC area. Rev. Contreras served from August of 1996 to July of 1999. Rev. Contreras was heavily involved in ministry to transient workers, at which he was particularly effective, and also continued the ministry at Nueva Esperanza. The membership of this mission stood at 10 in August of 1999. Unfortunately, Mrs. Ida Contreras’ poor health forced the couple to resign in July of 1999 and return to family in Texas.
At right: Rev. Contreras preaches at IBNE.
Expanded ministry
At the same time, Tony Hancock was completing his studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and the committee invited him to return. As a result, in August of 1999 he began his second term of service with ABC. During the fall of 1999, a strategic plan for the future of ABC was drawn up which included the establishment of several new permanent ministry points, as well as the continued expansion of ministry to transient workers. Potential was seen for ministry points in Estill, Barnwell and Walterboro. In addition, plans were made for expanding the scope and frequency of ministry to transient workers. These plans included more frequent meetings, greater involvement of permanent residents in ministry to transients, and a synergy of evangelistic proclamation and holistic ministry.
At left: baptism of a transient worker at Camp Jackson.
Ministry to Farm Workers
ABC continues to reach out to transient farm workers. Each year, over a thousand (1000) workers receive ministry health kits, which include a towel, washcloth, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste and comb, as well as Christian literature. We also offer annual English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to transient workers, focusing on a basic conversational approach to encourage linguistic functionality. As we are able, we provide translation help, primarily in crisis situtations. These include doctors' offices and hospitals, courts, jails, attorney's offices, social services settings and others. While helping people in practical ways, we also share the life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ through evangelistic films shown as close as possible to where transients are.
At right: ESL classes in Barnwell.
Iglesia Nueva Esperanza
Iglesia Bautista Nueva Esperanza has grown and become more established. In 2005 the church moved into facilities in Ehrhardt which were not being used. Since then, the church has continued to refurbish the facilities, baptize new converts and develop leadership. In late 2006, services began in Brunson to reach out to new populations of Hispanics. Ministry points also exist in Estill and Allendale, as well as seasonally in several other locations.
At left: work on the facilities in Ehrhardt.
Into the future ABC Regional Hispanic Ministries faces the future with confidence in God's provision, excitement about the opportunities for service and a firm commitment to reaching out to the Hispanics in its service area - and beyond. The thousands of transient workers who enter our area each year, as well as the burgeoning permanent population, present an ongoing challenge. Under the Lord's leadership, we plan to continue nurturing Nueva Esperanza in its growth, reaching out to transient workers with practical and spiritual assistance and developing new ministry points throughout our area. You may contact us by clicking here.
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