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New Life Church adds Hispanic service

By Denise Bachman Managing Editor Of Productiondbachman@observer-Reporter.Com 3 min read
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Less than five years after planting New Life Church in Canonsburg, its leadership is embarking on another expansion to meet the diverse needs of the congregation and the community. This past Sunday, the church launched its first Hispanic service.

“As we grew, it’s always been something in our hearts to reach out to the Hispanic population and their ongoing needs,” said Pastor Nathan Miller, who, along with his wife, Joie, outreach and church life pastor, founded the nondenominational New Life Church in Canonsburg.

After conducting numerous outreaches among the Hispanic population, Nathan said they “felt strongly that we had grown enough to expand our efforts.”

The Hispanic service began at 1 p.m. Nathan Miller’s message was delivered via a translator. In addition, Pastor Elias Alcala and his wife, Doris, natives of Venezuela, agreed to partner with the church in launching the Hispanic services.

Elias Alcala will serve as point pastor. He and his wife have been ministering to Hispanic communities and pioneering churches both abroad and in the United States since 1978. Elias Alcala also has started several Latino prison ministries.

At the end of April, the Hispanic service will be expanded once a month to include a meal and a medical clinic led by Dr. Joshua Ferrell, a family practitioner with Washington Family Medicine. Joie said classes in child care and English as a second language also are planned.

“People want to give back, but they don’t know where to start,” Joie said, referring to the medical outreach ministry.

In addition, church members Jose Caballero, a native of Peru, and his wife, Desiree, will conduct midweek Bible studies for the Hispanic congregation, which includes those of Mexican descent and a couple who adopted children from Guatemala.

Nathan and Joie, both Trinity High School graduates, attended Brownsville Revival School of Ministry in Pensacola, Fla. They served as youth pastors at Central Assembly of God in Houston when they returned to the area.

They started New Life with a “handful” of families, worshipping each week in the auditorium at Canon-McMillan High School. Since 2012, they have been holding services in the church they purchased – and extensively renovated – at the corner of Belmont Avenue and Pike Street. Average Sunday attendance has swelled to between 200 and 250 people, with a high of 275 last Easter.

Nathan credits his wife’s outreach efforts, especially among lower-income families and single mothers in Canonsburg, for part of the church’s continued growth.

Joie engages residents of Valley View Terrace in programs each month that address specific topics, along with activities. A healthy eating program, for example, will give residents hands-on experience with gardening, and a Dress for Success program will include guidance on writing résumés and job interviews. During the programs, residents also receive a meal or a snack, and, of course, a spiritual lesson.

“In poor areas, people tend to settle in life. They never have a bigger vision or see that God has more to offer,” Nathan said. “We’re so thankful it has been a fast expansion. God has done so much, and we’re excited to be at the forefront of a lot of hope.

“It’s interesting. In Canonsburg, there are a great number of ethnic groups. It gives us a glimpse of what heaven will be like.”

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