Leya Petrovani- Church Visit #1

Church name: Nueva Esperanza  

Date attended: January 19th 

Church category: Different ethnic/racial demographic  

Describe the worship service you attended. How was it similar to or different from your regular context?

The worship service was mainly different from my own in that the service was in Spanish. Nueva Esperanza, or "New Hope" is a multi-ethnic latino church which meets in the World Relief building on College Avenue. The style of the church was very similar to other latino churches that I have been to, albeit different from my normal context. The entire service was in spanish, and because myself and another Wheaton student were there we definitely were clearly visitors. When congregants would address us, they assumed that we didn't speak spanish, or were at least more comfortable speaking in english, and would therefore speak to us in English. The sermon was much longer than what I am normally accustomed to, the pastor had a three point sermon, each of which could be separated into a sermon of its own. 

What did you find most interesting or appealing about the worship service?

The pastor's preaching style was very comedic, and did an excellent job engaging the congregation. Though addressing the needs, worries, concerns of lives of those in the congregation, his sermon was broad enough to apply to a vast difference of individuals present. I was most blessed by the welcoming and hospitable nature of the congregants. Once the service was over, we had multiple people coming up to us, engaging in conversation with us, and even inviting us to women's bible studies and over to their houses for coffee and meals. It was a true picture of the open and hospitable nature of the kingdom of God.

What did you find most disorienting or challenging about the worship service?

Though not a central point in the Pastor's sermon, he made several comments about Christians from other traditions, such as Catholics, and Mormons. Essentially demonizing their worship and beliefs, though I personally may not agree with what they believe, particularly mormons, I felt uncomfortable with the ease with which he chastised their beliefs. It did remind me, however, of the blunt and extremely honest cultural value that most South Americans share.

What aspects of Scripture or theology did the worship service illuminate for you that you had not perceived as clearly in your regular context?

The emphasis of the global church was HUGE. Not only because the church itself was extremely multi-ethnic, American-born congregants, and congregants from all over South and Central America, but the church itself is in the United States. I often find that Churches in other parts of the world, or of other cultures here in the US are much more inclined to focus on the international nature and beauty of the body of Christ. Christ binds us, he unites us, and in him we celebrate what we learn and grow through the presence of our brothers and sisters. This focus has encouraged me to truly take part in the global church, and frankly, has been a huge flaw and deficit that I have experienced in much churches in the United States, including the one in which I was raised. In the United States it is very easy to forget that the majority of our Christian brothers and sisters reside among the poorest of the world, and focus inward. Our individualistic culture perpetuates this attitude, however, if we try to look outward, to the world, and to others than our image of the church will be much richer, fuller and very different from what we are often inclined to experience as the body of Christ.