Somos El Pueblo de Dios
We are the People of God

Let me introduce you to part of our large FAMILIA. You know about the various programs, ministries and activities at Impact, but those are only areas of service done at or through this place. Impact, like any church, is a body of people who meet together to glorify God and build each other up in CRISTO. Within this body are members and friends from all walks of life, but due to our location and mission, our demographic is atypical. One very large portion of that demographic is a group that works and worships together in Spanish.
Though there are many Hispanic churches in the city, Impact is among the largest churches of Christ in Houston with 150-200 members. One of Impact's 6 elders, Dimas Velasqez is Hispanic. He currently is enrolled full time as a student at the Texas Gulf Coast Bible institute where they train men to minister to and plant churches in the Spanish-speaking population. Six of our young Hispanic members are taking night classes at the institute along with Alfredo who drives them down to Pasedena 3 nights a week. Growing churches through cell groups is part of TGCBI’s strategy, and although Impact is an existing church, Dimas is hoping to infuse what he is learning into the DNA of the church here. Steven Wells, the newest bilingual minister is excited about the process, having experienced its success in his church planting efforts in Mexico. He and his wife, Ami are about to begin classes to train members who want to dedicate themselves as small group facilitators. All three Spanish-speaking ministers have attended a class together at the institute; are meeting weekly in a small group of ministers; have developed a strategy; and are working with church members to educate them in the importance of ministering in small groups and celebrating together in the large assembly. Alejandro Arango, who has been ministering with this church since close to its beginning, is offering a class to new Christians on basic principles of the Christian walk. Late September (this weekend), the Hispanic women will be having a retreat to encourage and strengthen their participation and passions in the body.
The Hispanic family at Impact is good at checking on one another and helping meet each others' needs. Weekly, several women volunteer at the Distribution Center. (More than 90% of the families served at the Distibution Center are Hispanic, and many of our members are a result of the contacts made there.) The Tuesday night activities are primarily for the Hispanic families. Other English-speaking Impact members dedicate time to teach children classes allowing adults to concentrate on classes and connecting with other adults. All the activities that are done are with the hopes of glorifying God by being a body that cares for one another and shares the message of hope in Christ to the world.
The Hispanic part of the congregation works towards a unified direction with the English speaking portion. There may be a barrier with the language, and it can be frustrating to not be able to communicate everything that needs to be said, but there is a growing desire to be a body that can overcome. The barrier may dictate a separation in worship, class times, and some areas of service but the body could not function with out ALL members. That is a lesson that needs to echo in our ears. Even with our different gifts, backgrounds, struggles, functions and limitations, we are all nonetheless important in the kingdom of God. May we also echo our thanks for your part in what God does here through Impact through your prayers, contributions, and support. That is what makes a great family, and like the song that we like to sing in our Spanish worship, “Somos el pueblo de Dios.” We are God’s people doing our best to serve our Lord and share God’s truth and His love with the world.



The last Family Night brought a large crowd of new faces. Most of our regular attending families came to enjoy the fun, food and fellowship, but we were surprised by an unexpected number of visitors. (We actually had to go out to get more hotdogs!) One visiting father was so touched by the activities that he felt compelled to give a testimony, encouraging the other families to embrace the importance Impact is placing on family participation.