Laredo congregation consecrates new site

By Rachel L. Toalson
Staff Writer
The concrete floor had no carpet at El Mesias UMC, Laredo, June 24. But it was clean.
An industrial-sized fan provided a breeze that ruffled hair and clothing of worshipers arriving for a special service. The fan was powered by a small generator since the electricity in the storefront building was not yet connected.
About 20 people lined the walls at the rear of the building, unable to find an empty seat among the chairs set up in neat rows before the service began.
El Mesias consecrated its new location in a strip mall with a special celebration. The service acknowledged the ways God had worked through the congregation to bring it to the new site off U.S. 83 South at 806 River Hill.
More than 100 attended the service.
Bishop Ray Owen sent Sergio Tristán to start a Spanish-speaking congregation in Laredo in 1994. The “congregation” began as a Spanish Sunday school class in the chapel of First UMC, Laredo. In 1995 the group began having regular worship services.
That same year Enrique Duarte began independently organizing prayer meetings in his downtown Laredo store. Those prayer sessions quickly turned into Sunday worship services.
The Rev. Antonio Pastrana was appointed pastor of the Hispanic ministry at First UMC in 1995, and in June 1996, the congregation was received into the Southwest Texas Conference as El Mesias UMC.
In 1997 Duarte’s prayer group moved to Santa Maria Street, meeting in a Greyhound warehouse. The group moved to a warehouse office space a year later.
In 2002 the two congregations merged. They continued meeting at First UMC. Duarte received a United Methodist local pastor’s license and has led the congregation since then.
El Mesias’ new space includes a large area for worship, a meeting place, a room for the nursery, a room for the children’s program, a room for the adults, an office and a kitchen.
Fernando Garza, McAllen District trustee chair, who attended the consecration service, said El Mesias has shown that even though “Methodist churches are losing membership,” God is “still working in The United Methodist Church.”
“It is a young church full of vigor and enthusiasm,” Garza said. “I was very pleased with the attendance, even though there was a lack of electricity to run projectors and the air conditioner. There were no complaints.
“The excitement of this new congregation as it worshiped and praised God was truly infectious. I left with a joyful heart, and I sensed that the Holy Spirit was in this congregation.”
Garza added that he believes the congregation will be a blessing “to all who enter their doors.”
Jim Callaway, McAllen District trustee and member of the Southwest Texas Conference New Church Development Commission, said he was struck by the joy that each member carried.
“The mood in the sanctuary was festive and upbeat, for this was a special day,” he said. “After years of struggle and strife, El Mesias UMC now has a home of its own. A feeling of belonging filled the sanctuary. There were no strangers in the room that Sunday in Laredo, just pilgrims walking down the same path.”