By Scott Fitzgerald
Within a year’s period, Francisco Hernandez who with his wife Rosaura Hernandez, co-pastor the Disciples of Christ church, continue to marvel at their current location.
“We’re still getting used to owning our own building. There are many responsibilities involved,” Francisco Hernandez said.
Iglesia Cristiana El Shaddai opened its doors April 22, 2005, in its own church building at 1524 N. Independence in the former River of God Church and before that, New Hope United Methodist Church.
The Hernandezes minister to about 75 in the parish now. That number remains identical to a year earlier.
Hernandez said about four or five families have relocated from Enid to other towns. After they departed, some new Hispanic families moved to Enid within the past year, filling the vacancies.
Like most Enid church parishes with many young families, there is constant transition, Hernandez said. Many relocate from Enid on short notice because of new jobs or other opportunities. And of course, more Hispanic families are moving to Enid each month.
Iglesia Cristiana El Shaddai has plenty of room to accommodate new members.
Plans remain to open a daycare center and Spanish bookstore at Iglesia Cristiana El Shaddai.
The church owns a huge vacant lot to the south that will be used for future youth activities.
A new sign that will be lit at night is going to be erected soon on North Independence. The sign will contain a current listing of activities in addition to service times, Hernandez said.
What’s of interest for the future is offering a ministry spoken in English.
Hernandez, who is fluent in English, has noticed most young people in the congregation are bilingual.
“In the future, we hope to provide a bilingual ministry,” Hernandez said.
Interestingly, some Hispanic people who have lived in some of the midwest states such as Kansas most of their lives, are not bilingual in Spanish, he said.
The Hernandezes arrived here in September 2001 looking to open a Hispanic church. They performed their first service on Oct. 7, 2001.
Graciousness from other pastors and churches helped them in their mission.
University Place Christian Church at East Broadway and 21st offered temporary space in the University Place West Wing.
