LITTLE CREEK HISPANIC CHURCH ORGANIZED: A Bilingual Celebration

The Little Creek Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church was officially organized on Dec. 14, 2024, in a special bilingual celebration attended by members of both the Spanish and English congregations. The event marked the culmination of years of missionary efforts and church growth, as the company officially transitioned to church status under the Carolina Conference.

Elders Leslie Louis, Carolina Conference president, and Gary Moyer, conference vice president for administration, participated in the service, with Louis preaching the sermon. The worship program was conducted in both Spanish and English, emphasizing the unity and shared mission of the two

congregations. Following the service, members and guests gathered for a fellowship meal, featuring a special cake commemorating the occasion.

The journey of the Little Creek Hispanic Church began in 2015 when a family, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, felt the call to establish a Hispanic ministry in Clayton, N.C. Upon discovering Little Creek Fellowship Church just ten minutes from their home, they joined the congregation in April 2016. With the support of Pastor Sinclair, Brother Dan Stewart, and other church elders, they were granted permission to meet in the fellowship hall in July 2016. That Sabbath, seven individuals, including the Peña family and Brother Pablo Delgado, gathered to worship.

As the group grew, the Marmolejos family from Clayton and the Reyes family from Garner joined. Early missionary efforts included distributing literature in Hispanic stores and preparing food baskets for families in need. With support from the American brethren at

Little Creek, the group became more involved in church life, always promoting unity and service.

Pastoral leadership played a crucial role in the church’s development. Pastor José Laporte Jr. was appointed by the Carolina Conference to shepherd the group, leading to the first baptisms on March 10, 2018. Over the years, membership expanded through transfers, evangelistic outreach, and mission efforts. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the church remained active, holding virtual services that resulted in baptisms in Colombia, El Salvador,

Burlington, NC, and Mexico.

On April 1, 2023, the group was officially recognized as a company under the Carolina Conference. Under the leadership of David Hubiera and with the support of Pastor Laporte, the church continued to thrive. The arrival of Pastor Alejandro Barrios in June 2024 reignited the missionary spirit, bringing over 20 new members to Christ in just six months. After much prayer, a delegation, accompanied by Pastor Barrios, attended an interview at the Carolina Conference office on Oct. 24, 2024, to finalize the transition to full church status.

Now recognized as Little Creek Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church, the congregation consists of 84 members registered with the Carolina Conference. The words of Acts 2:47 "And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”—continue to be fulfilled as the church remains committed to its mission of sharing the gospel and serving

the community.

—Article Contributed,

photos by Courtney Herod