Teamwork Results in Canada’s First Hispanic Wesleyan Church
- At September 9, 2010
- By brampey
- In Uncategorized
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Aug. 13, 2010
The teamwork between districts of The Wesleyan Church in Canada and South Carolina has resulted in the first Hispanic Wesleyan church in Canada. Pastor Dumar Camacho, a Wesleyan pastor and former district leader from Colombia, South America, moved to the Palmetto State to assist with Latino and Hispanic ministries. When a Hispanic pastor friend told Camacho that he was moving to Canada to start a church, Rev. Comacho advised him to start a Wesleyan church. Several years later that advice, along with prayerful support and several conference calls and meetings, Light on the Frontier was birthed. The growing Hispanic congregation includes many professionals in Montreal, Canada.
Comacho’s friend, Rev. Heriberto Carmona, began holding a Bible study in Montreal that soon outgrew the home where it was being held. A second Bible study began and the core of a new congregation started to form. Pastor Carmona wanted to start a Wesleyan church in Montreal, so he contacted Rev. Comacho, who then met with South Carolina District Superintendent Rev. Buddy Rampey. The District approved cooperation and then contacted Rev. Donald Hudgins, Central Canada district superintendent.
Soon a church plant strategy was designed. Rev. Frankie Rodriguez, pastor El Camino Wesleyan Church in Greenville, SC., and son-in-law of Rev. Carmona, was enlisted to serve as a liaison between the districts and the new plant in Montreal. He describes the series of conference calls as an interesting mix of languages, including English, Spanish, and a bit of French. He also accompanied Rev. Comacho to Montreal at the invitation of the Central Canada District. In return, church leaders invited Rev. Carmona to Central Canada’s 2010 district conference.
In teamwork, South Carolina and Central Canada provided training and information on The Wesleyan Church’s beliefs, organizational structure, and ministries. The new church was planted in June 2010, with fifty people. Pastor Rodriguez said that on its first Sunday a family rededicated themselves to live a life of holiness. The church now averages sixty in worship.
With Spanish-speaking Latinos and Hispanics continuing to move to Montreal, even more opportunities for multi-cultural ministry are opening for the new church, Central Canada District, and subsequently for the entire Wesleyan denomination.
Healing Waters Ministering in HIV/AIDS Community
- At September 9, 2010
- By brampey
- In Uncategorized
- 0
Aug. 10, 2010
Some of South Carolina’s “least of these” have found a place to call home.
Healing Waters Ministries in Beaufort, SC, is ministering to those with HIV/AIDS in the community. The predominantly African-American Wesleyan church is led by Rev. Brenda Singleton.
The volunteer pastor knows much about the HIV/AIDS community; she works as a medical case manager and prevention specialist at ACCESS (AIDS Counseling Community Education Supported Services) Network, an HIV/AIDS community agency.
With her professional background, it seemed natural that Pastor Singleton would make ministry available to HIV/AIDS individuals on a regular basis. S.H.A.P.E. (Spiritually-based HIV/AIDS Prevention Education) began in 2005 through a community grant from the South Carolina HIV/AIDS Council and provides programs about prevention and also offers free HIV screenings. S.H.A.P.E.’s mission is to “provide spiritual and mental support to those diagnosed and living with the disease and to their families.”
Pastor Singleton believes in a “come as you are” policy and wants everyone who enters the church doors to know they are welcome.
Currently, eight members of Healing Waters have the HIV virus. Those members are regularly encouraged by their church family.
“I am dealing with cancer, lupus, HIV, and Graves’ disease,” says one woman. “God has shown me that this [Healing Waters] is the place to be.”
The church is also using other forms of ministry to care for those in its community, including marriage counseling, annual couples’ retreat on Valentine’s Day, summer nutrition programs, food and clothing assistance, youth activities, and other community outreaches.
“Even with minimal resources, Healing Waters continues to provide many programs and services to the community,” says Pastor Brenda. The church’s openness to loving others in the Beaufort area daily holds true to the “come as you are” policy.
