Another method for planting this large number of churches is to do so by non traditional means by starting house churches. In a house church a group of believers come together for worship in someones home.  They may or may not be connected to a mother church where they attend every other week or monthly.  House churches are led by non professional ministers.

There are several strengths of the house church. Many people today are more open to attending a Bible study in a home than in a church.  They are less expensive. House churches are harder for governments to control. They are smaller, and as such their attendees tend to be more involved in service.  Some house churches will grow and become more traditional churches, but many will not.  While most Christians do not think positively about house churches they are an excellent means for evangelizing a population.  As America becomes less and less Christian house churches will become more appealing and necessary.

14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” 16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Romans 10:14–17

Pray for those who do not attend a church. Pray that God will call more Christians into the ministry of preaching His Word.  Pray that all those who currently preach His Word will become holy and bold in their proclamation and lifestyle.  Ask God to convict the hearts of believers to stat new churches whether through traditional or non-traditional means.

Their reluctance arises from their previous experiences of visiting predominately white congregations in other states which had not been receptive to them. This is unfortunate because people of Cuban heritage tend not to feel accepted in churches comprised of Hispanics of Mexican decent. Therefore they have been reluctant to visit a traditional Hispanic Church.

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18–20

Pray for the 4,743 Hispanics currently living in Bartow county. Ask God to lead His church to start churches and other ministries which are targeted to all the ethno-linguistic people groups which reside in Bartow county, so they can hear the gospel in their “mother tongue” and worship our Lord in their “heart language.” Also, ask God to convict His people who currently worship Him in existing churches to be more open to receive Maria and all the other immigrants who are coming to live in our communities.

Dr. Ronnie Floyd has been a pastor for over 33 years. Since 1986, he has served as the Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Springdale in Springdale, Arkansas.

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