New Covenant Fellowship, the GCI congregation in Glendora, California recently celebrated its 17th annual Hispanic Heritage/Cinco de Mayo festival.
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Battle of Puebla in Mexico in 1862, in which the Mexican army defeated a French invading army. Cinco de Mayo has become a major holiday and is celebrated with great enthusiasm among the Hispanic population in the U.S. The congregation’s annual celebration has proven to be an effective way to reach out to honor members of the Hispanic community.
Guest speakers were district pastor Glen Weber and church planters Saddie and Angie Tabin. Pastor Glen gave insights into how church planting efforts can renew and revitalize existing congregations as well as giving new or returning Christians a church family to worship with. The Tabins told about what it really takes to plant a church—meeting their neighbors, showing concern for them and praying with them, forming small groups and holding neighborhood social events leading up to launching a new church.
After church, the congregation and guests enjoyed a festive potluck meal, followed by the children smashing a piñata filled with candy.
