Convention Workbook

God also provided us workers to replace
some we lost. At Peace, Pico Rivera, the Lord
raised up Alex Zavala to lead the Hispanic
work there. Rev. Chuck Collier, who was at
Faith, Tujunga and who speaks fluent Spanish,
relocated to Ventura County, and has brought
new life to Hispanic work there. New work
began in Hispanic mission at Moorpark under
the leadership of missionary Dennis
Bradshaw, while new growth was seen at
Santa Paula (Hispanic) under the leadership of
Marcelino Velasco. The work of Marcello
Gomez at Trinity, Central also grew and
brought new enthusiasm in Los Angeles. The
evangelism work of Getachew Kiros
(Ethiopian) expanded out into Region 3, in
Fontana. He also did a Bible study with 50
Ethiopians out in Yucaipa. We witnessed a
mission starting for Mixteco people living in
Mexico and Ventura/Santa Barbara county
(see Keith Jone's report from Regional
Mission Council 1 in this convention
workbook). At Mammoth Lakes, Rev. John
Gross took a Call, and Marcus Breitbart was
installed as their new pastor.
Another very exciting mission outreach is
being done at one of our established
congregations, Loving Savior of the Hills
Lutheran Church in Chino Hills, under the
leadership of Rev. Andy Wu (Chinese
ministry). Pastor Andy has made
arrangements for hundreds of Chinese
children to be placed with families of his
congregation and others to provide housing
and support to Chinese children visiting the
United States for education. This is a growing
ministry and is one in which gives Chinese
children the opportunity to hear about Jesus
Christ. Pastor Andy explains that these
children are the future of China, and their
exposure to Jesus Christ here in the U.S. will
make a difference. We want to keep this
ministry, along with all of our ethnic
ministries in prayer.
Region Mission Facilitators
Pastor Woody Blanke (retiring chairperson of
Regional Mission Council 2) and I wish to
thank Raul Saldana for his excellent coverage
of the Hispanic mission in La Puente
following the departure of Ramon Contreras.
It was also my privilege to preach the 86th
Homecoming at St Paul Lutheran Church
(African-American congregation led by Rev.
S.T. Williams) on missions in the city. We also
acknowledge the new work to Ethiopians
done at Hope Memorial Lutheran church in
Los Angeles now being led by Rev. Abraham
Dubale.
While many of you reading this convention
report may never have the opportunity to
meet many of our ethnic workers or visit
these vital missions of our District, we ask
that you keep them in your fervent prayers,
and when possible, have your congregation
and members financially support the missions
of our District.
Congregations Attempt to Merge and Sell
During the past three years an attempt to
merge Trinity, Reseda, and Canoga Park and
find a new location did not materialize. We
thank all those who saw a vision for a new
mission in this effort. Trinity did eventually
sell their church property. Other
congregations have also been redefining
themselves and reassessing their focus of
ministry. Selling, they are discovering, is not
the only solution when their membership
dwindles. Some congregations are entering
into conversations of how to merge their
work of mission. They are also looking into
some new creative staffing needs. This is a
dynamic time for congregations and their
leaders to think about a new future. The
District staff is here to help.
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