Five Years of Faithful Ministry and a Vision for the Future
Five years ago, ABCM and Baptist Temple merged near the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Baptist Temple was experiencing declining attendance and financial challenges, while ABCM, though growing numerically, lacked a physical building. Combining the strengths of both communities was a strategic decision to fortify our ministry.
Since then, together we have invested significantly in restoring the property at 705 Paradise Road. We've repaired the parking lot, renovated the office building, cleaned the fellowship hall, rebuilt the stage, installed a security gate, constructed a new sign, created spaces for mothers and infants, upgraded plumbing and electrical systems, and reroofed our buildings. These improvements were made with a commitment to good stewardship, offering our best to the Lord who deserves nothing less.
As our facilities improved, we together turned our focus outward, engaging our neighborhood with the same energy. We've hosted Fall Festivals, Community Nights Out, Christmas Concerts, a Christmas store, Vacation Bible Schools, car washes, and for over three years, weekly Tuesday night dinners. We've repaired cars, prepared meals, provided transportation, offered shelter, and assisted those in need. We've initiated a recovery program and provided counseling, welcoming everyone who walked through our doors with open arms.
Despite these efforts and investments, it's appropriate to assess the outcomes. Our outreach hasn't led to significant growth or deeper community engagement. In fact, over the past year, we've seen a steady departure of committed members to other churches, each citing various reasons but sharing common themes.
In response, as your pastor, I see two paths: ignore the situation or take responsibility by praying and studying our circumstances. Though West Modesto is noted for being economically disadvantaged, burdened with narcotic use and homeless, we've always embraced the economically disadvantaged, so that's not a headwind to our ministry. We’ve embrace the hard to love with open arms and clear boundaries. Whether on Paradise, or Miller, we will always have a heart for the least of these because we have the heart of Jesus as the heart of our church. The real headwind is then, that our surrounding community is predominantly Latino and Spanish-speaking. Recognizing this, I began praying for Spanish-speaking partners in Gospel ministry.
These prayers have been affirmed. Our neighboring Spanish church is growing with local community members, while most of us commute to the Westside. Their church is being built from within the Westside community. It became clear that, in time, the Lord might call us to make way for His work in the Spanish-speaking community, signaling a change for ABCM. Initially, I didn't know what that change would entail, but I began praying for God's provision.
Approximately five weeks ago, Calvary Baptist Church (CBC) reached out. Their pastor was retiring, and they sought my assistance in finding a successor. Meeting with their deacons, they outlined their ideal candidate: a younger man, willing to live on a modest income, and commit to a long-term pastoral role—a rare find in California. After praying for CBC, an idea emerged. Our churches are similar in size and finances. CBC's neighborhood aligns well with our ministry, just as the Westside suits the Spanish church. Could this be God's provision? I proposed exploring a merger to CBC's deacons, initiating a journey I now invite you to join.
That's how we've arrived here. What's the motivation for the merger?
I believe we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to act in faith. We can establish a Gospel-centered Spanish-language ministry on Paradise Road, potentially impacting hundreds of lives. Concurrently, ABCM possesses the organization, leadership, procedures, worship ministry, and preaching that CBC lacks. Merging would strengthen and revitalize the ministry on Miller Avenue, enhancing community engagement.and disciple making opportunities. In essence, our goal is to increase outreach opportunities, resulting in greater discipling opportunities. Continuing our current approach won't achieve this. We must pray for change. The needs in our community are too great to prioritize our comfort over Christ's mission.
Any other narratives are mere speculation. This isn't about money or buildings. While these are factors in ministry, they're not my motivation. I've led this church with as little as $2,300 in the bank and would continue with the same dedication if we had $300,000. I've pastored a congregation small enough to meet in my living room and would maintain the same philosophy if the Lord granted us an auditorium filled with hundreds. I'm not pursuing this because I disdain the homeless, the poor, or the economically disadvantaged, nor because I dislike the Westside. If any of these speculations were true, I would expect you to dismiss me, as I would be unqualified to continue as a pastor according to 1 Peter 5:2. If you didn't, you'd be complicit in supporting an unqualified leader.
But these speculations aren't true. My motivation remains steadfast: our church's mission—"We Exist to Glorify God Through the Fulfillment of the Great Commission." Any opportunity that promotes more evangelism, discipleship, counseling, worship, and ministry is one we must prayerfully consider and passionately pursue. There is no other motivation.