The Missionaries

Jose Alberto Davila is a new missionary to the United States who is focusing on the large Hispanic community in central New Jersey. He is the newest member of the Hispanics for Christ ministry that began at the Princeton, NJ Church of Christ, and includes two other full time workers, Pablo Molina (908) 329-3695, and Willisa Roland (908) 442-7141. Jose, his wife, and four children 13, 11, 9, 6 moved to 98 Madison Ave, Perth Amboy, NJ on November 1, 1996. According to Horacio Piccininno (908) 536-0322, the minister at the Perth Amboy church of Christ, there is a great harvest to be reaped among the Hispanics in the area.

Jose is an enthusiastic and energetic minister. In 1983, he was a soap opera star in Venezuela and well-off in many respects. After he studied the Bible with missionary Bob Brown, he became a Christian. Jose gave up his career and started working as a gospel preacher with a much different lifestyle. He has baptized over 100 people and helped start 5 congregations in Venezuela. In 1993, he visited the United States to assist Horacio Piccininno in his Perth Amboy work. Because of Jose's ability and spiritual maturity, it was felt by church members here that Jose would be extremely effective in reaching Hispanics in this country.

The United States Immigration Service has approved Jose's "green card" which should be issued on or about November 15, 1996. A modest salary has been committed by members of the church in central New Jersey.

The Strategy

The Princeton Church of Christ (33 River road, Princeton, NJ 08540) has for several years had great evangelistic success by offering courses in English As a Second Language (ESL) as part of the Hispanics for Christ program. Using the Bible, and other materials, 86 students were enrolled last year at the church building. While this work will continue, there is now a significant need to more broadly minister directly to Hispanics in the area. While the Princeton church has both English and Spanish-language worship services, Christians in this area feel there is even greater opportunity in the Perth Amboy area (45 minutes away). Perth Amboy is an dense suburban center that is approximately 50% Spanish-speaking.

Jose's work will be actively supported by three near-by sister churches in central New Jersey: Princeton, Freehold, and Perth Amboy. All three churches will provide ESL training classes and seek to make initial contacts. After the initial contact, one of the Spanish-speaking ministers in the area will follow up with fellowship and ministry opportunities.

Financial Arrangements

Horatio Piccininno, the minister for the Perth Amboy church of Christ has taken the lead in understanding and communicating the Alberto's financial requirements. The elders of the Princeton church will directly oversee the work. Ervy Boothe (609) 921-7654 has the lead responsibility for this. Three area churches, along with many individuals, will be contributing the bulk of the Alberto's income. Contributors should direct their correspondence to: Hispanics for Christ c/o Princeton Church of Christ, 33 River Road, Princeton, NJ 08540.

Visit the Perth Amboy Church of Christ at 463 Amboy Ave., Perth Amboy, NJ. Phone: (908) 826-5622

• E-Mail messages may be sent to Horacio Piccininno or Pablo Molina.
• Check out our Nigerian mission program.
• Take a look at our French mission program.
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