Small Church, Big Impact // Wisconsin
Bringing the Gospel to Immigrants
A dozen years ago, José Reyes committed his life to Jesus Christ and God released him from his addiction to alcohol. He needed to be discipled, but there was no church in the area to help him learn God’s Word, because he did not speak English. He cried out to the Lord for help.
José lived in Norwalk, Wis.—a small town of 700 that had recently seen an influx of Hispanic immigrants (today they comprise 32 percent of the town). Distrust and suspicion were beginning to grow. Pastor Randy Larson of Sparta Evangelical Free Church was burdened at a Promise Keepers conference to reach out to the immigrants and break down the walls of prejudice.
Photo: Courtesy La Cosecha
God brought these desires together to plant the Spanish-speaking La Cosecha (Harvest EFC) in rural Norwalk. José was discipled at the church and today is its pastor. Most members are first-generation evangelical believers. The small population base and the short time that most Hispanics stay in the area have made it difficult to numerically grow the church.
But the members of La Cosecha have a bigger vision: Evangelize and disciple the Mexicans, Puerto Ricans and Guatemalans who pass through Norwalk, so that when they leave, they take the life-changing message home. One man recently returned to Mexico and started a Bible study for 20 people. Another woman who had attended La Cosecha is now studying in a Bible school in Mexico City.
La Cosecha may not make the “fastest-growing church” list but it is clearly growing God’s kingdom.
In a similar way, the church has played a key role in reconciliation. Three years ago, La Cosecha committed its time and finances to join area churches in sponsoring regular “Family Festivals.” Everyone is invited to a community potluck where Anglos and Hispanics can eat, talk, sing and play games together. In the process, people are becoming true neighbors, recognizing the ways they had misinterpreted each others’ actions. The mistrust is now dissipating. Last summer, the church held a Vacation Bible School that was attended by both Anglo and Hispanic children.
“God can do big things through our little actions,” Pastor José says. Indeed, 40 believers in a small Midwestern town are having a powerful effect on the world as well as their own community.
Neal Laybourne lives in Barre City, a historic immigrant town in Vermont. He is impressed with José Reyes’ dedication to discipleship: Once a month Pastor Reyes rises at 3 a.m. to bring church members with him to EFCA GATEWAY classes—theological training for urban and ethnic leaders.
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Small Church, Big Impact: Wisconsin
A dozen years ago, José Reyes committed his life to Jesus Christ and God released him from his addiction to alcohol. He needed to be discipled, but there was no church in the area to help him learn God’s Word, because he did not speak English. He cried out to the Lord for help.
José lived in Norwalk, Wis.—a small town of 700 that had recently seen an influx of Hispanic immigrants (today they comprise 32 percent of the town). Distrust and suspicion were beginning to grow. Pastor Randy Larson of Sparta Evangelical Free Church was burdened at a Promise Keepers conference to reach out to the immigrants and break down the walls of prejudice.
God brought these desires together to plant the Spanish-speaking La Cosecha (Harvest EFC) in rural Norwalk. José was discipled at the church and today is its pastor. Most members are first-generation evangelical believers. The small population base and the short time that most Hispanics stay in the area have made it difficult to numerically grow the church.
But the members of La Cosecha have a bigger vision: Evangelize and disciple the Mexicans, Puerto Ricans and Guatemalans who pass through Norwalk, so that when they leave, they take the life-changing message home. One man recently returned to Mexico and started a Bible study for 20 people. Another woman who had attended La Cosecha is now studying in a Bible school in Mexico City.
La Cosecha may not make the “fastest-growing church” list but it is clearly growing God’s kingdom.
In a similar way, the church has played a key role in reconciliation. Three years ago, La Cosecha committed its time and finances to join area churches in sponsoring regular “Family Festivals.” Everyone is invited to a community potluck where Anglos and Hispanics can eat, talk, sing and play games together. In the process, people are becoming true neighbors, recognizing the ways they had misinterpreted each others’ actions. The mistrust is now dissipating. Last summer, the church held a Vacation Bible School that was attended by both Anglo and Hispanic children.
“God can do big things through our little actions,” Pastor José says. Indeed, 40 believers in a small Midwestern town are having a powerful effect on the world as well as their own community.
Neal Laybourne lives in Barre City, a historic immigrant town in Vermont. He is impressed with José Reyes’ dedication to discipleship: Once a month Pastor Reyes rises at 3 a.m. to bring church members with him to EFCA GATEWAY classes—theological training for urban and ethnic leaders.