Making Life Better for Children and Families in North Dallas

 

Today I have asked Sandra Martinez, Coordinator of Global Ministries at Primera Iglesia Bautista Mexicana of Dallas to write about her ministry at Primera through a Buckner Church and Community Ministry Collaboration in Dallas. Sandra holds a Bachelor of Social work from the University of Mary Hardin Baylor and a Master of Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington and has served on the Buckner team for the past nine years.

 

In my experience with Primera Iglesia Bautista Mexicana of Dallas, I have heard some interesting questions and comments made by participants in our community ministry programs such as:  “I’m not Baptist;”  “How much do you charge for the class?”  “You are the only church that I know of that helps the community.”  Our community ministry started in the summer of 2009, serving in multiple ways:  through a Summer Lunch Box program which was a program of the North Texas Food Bank; a reading program; offering a variety of summer camps, and a Health & Safety Fair.  Through these programs, we were able to serve over 500 children and their families.  The Summer Lunch Box program was our biggest outreach with the intent of getting to know families in our community, feeding their children, and helping them see Primera as a church that serves its community.  Now, through the new relationships formed with the children and parents, we are providing a tutoring program, a variety of basic computer skills and online GED classes, a parenting class, and other youth programs.  There is such a need for these programs that we have started a waiting list!  During our collaboration, we have had 5 professions of faith! We are so grateful to God for this. 

 

I have enjoyed the support of Primera’s new pastor, Dr. Gus Reyes. On Wednesday evenings we have begun providing a dinner to the children and families and encourage them to stay for our worship service, bible study, leadership classes, and GED class.  There is something for everyone!    Sunday mornings, there are other programs and ministries being offered to the whole family plus the English and Spanish worship services.  If a family only speaks one language or both, their needs can be met by attending either or both services.

 

Our intent is to be God’s hands and feet in the community, not only helping them meet physical needs but to meet their spiritual needs, as well.  I believe that church collaborations are valuable in a community due to the social service aspect and spiritual needs of people that are being met at the same time.  People come with several physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.  After participating in our programs, they leave empowered and with hope. Through church collaborations, we mobilize the individual gifts of members, their abilities and resources. Our experience is that when these resources are combined so much more can be done. More importantly, church collaborations put a new focus on the opportunity to do missions not only locally, but across the state and globally.

 

Our experience teaches us that serving children and families in Jesus’s name provides many opportunities to also share the good news of the gospel. Primera knows that they will be investing their resources, gifts, and talents in making life better for children and families in their surrounding community while sharing Christ’s love. Pray for us as we work together to bring the Kingdom very near to the residents of North Dallas.

Comments

[Ken Hall]

Sandra represents the best of what it means to be a servant of the Lord. I am so proud she utilizes her calling through our Buckner ministries and Primera.

[Albert Reyes]

Dr. Hall, you are so right. Sandra is flourishing at Primera and does represent the best we have to offer to local churches in collaboration with Buckner.

[Sandra]

Thank you,Dr. Hall and Dr. Reyes for your kind comments. It is a blessing to be serving children and families which is what God has called me to do.