Q:  What do you get when you combine a growing mission field, mission-minded congregations, an energetic second-generation church planter, and an empty school building?

A:  English as a Second Language and citizenship classes sponsored by community LCMS churches in a joint mission venture.

   A few years ago, the congregations of Cross in Omaha and Beautiful Savior in La Vista (then Omaha) decided to partner to reach out to the growing Hispanic population in the changing community around Cross. The congregation of Cross voted to donate their church building to a new Hispanic mission start in order to redevelop the congregation, and Beautiful Savior initiated the process of finding a Hispanic evangelist to come and begin working in the neighborhood.

   In January of 2007, Obdulio Felix arrived in Omaha from Nogales, Mexico, to serve as a missionary to the Hispanic population in Omaha. He also enrolled in classes at the Center for Hispanic Studies at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, to begin his training for pastoral ministry. The Lord has blessed his work, and he currently gathers with 75 regular attendees each week for fellowship and Bible study. Obdulio is eligible to begin his vicarage this summer, and it is the prayer that he will be placed to continue the work in Omaha.

   As Obdulio worked among the Hispanic community in Omaha, the idea of helping these people adapt to their new culture through ESL and other classes began to grow. After many hours of hard work by many people, the ministry committee from Cross and Beautiful Savior is now coordinating free English as a Second Language and citizenship classes for anyone in the community, charging a small fee for materials.

   Along with volunteers from various other churches in the area, these two congregations are reaching out to the Hispanic community of Omaha to build relationships that can open doors for sharing the Gospel message with those who attend. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, the sharing of the Good News can lead to the regular hearing of God’s Word and participation in His Sacraments at Cross Lutheran Church and eventually at a new congregation at the 40^th and Q Street property.

   Many volunteers from LCMS congregations in Omaha have stepped forward to teach the classes, offer snacks, provide childcare, and other tasks to help make these classes happen. Another partner in this new outreach ministry in Omaha is the Nebraska District. When the Zion+Peace church and school closed, the District staff and Board of Directors believed it was vey important to purchase the properties to keep a Lutheran presence in the two communities. The church property at 44^th and Grover is now the home of the Sudanese Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mission. The church and school property at 40^th and Q Streets has been designated as the Mercy Center and is where the ESL classes are held. The first ESL class was held here on Monday, March 3, with 20 adults registered. A task force made up of members of LCMS congregations in Omaha is developing ministry plans to meet human care needs that will lead to using the church for Word and Sacrament ministry.

   Citizenship classes are also being offered on Saturday afternoons to help prepare those who are in the process of becoming American citizens. These classes are expected to bring many people into contact with members of the churches because there is no other organization in Omaha offering these classes. In addition to the classes, the congregations are also providing attendees childcare and a connection to a Christian church. God is presenting wonderful opportunities for these congregations to make connections with the unchurched and disconnected people in the community.

   As the Lord blesses these partnerships and the ministry that is taking place, there are plans to start classes again in September, along with new classes that include basic computer competency classes, basic English classes, and life skills classes. It is the prayer that these classes will reach beyond the Hispanic community to provide needed education to others in Omaha, including the Sudanese, Asian, and Muslim populations.

   As people come to the Mercy Center to learn English, American civics, or to meet other human care needs, relationships will form and doors will open for the sharing of the Gospel. By God’s grace, these relationships and the seeds of the Gospel planted in this place will be nurtured and will grow in the congregations of Omaha. If you or your congregation would like to be a part of this ministry or financially contribute to this mission, contact Rev. Rich Boring at the Nebraska District Office, richb@ndlcms.org or 888-643-2961, or contact Steve Bartelt, president of the task force, at stephenrbartelt@yahoo.com.