Facilitating a Growing Hispanic Ministry and More

(ROCKWALL, TX — June 1, 2018) There’s a new bridge in Rockwall County that stands near the La Quinta hotel on the south side of Interstate 30. Only this one is a three-story addition to Lake Pointe Church that will serve to connect cultures. The new building named “The Bridge” opened in mid-May and offers a larger worship space to facilitate the needs of an increasing number of Hispanic members.

Lake Pointe (LPC) is “one church—two languages,” according to Pastor Paul Lewis. He oversees all Hispanic ministry at several of the church’s locations under the leadership of Lead Pastor Steve Stroope.

The Hispanic ministry started five years ago with a Spanish-language service that welcomed 47 people in the church chapel. Their Sunday service soon required a larger room but outgrew that one as well. They eventually moved to the in-church gymnasium that holds 500 adults—the approximate number of current attendees.

Lewis says The Bridge is “a dedicated space” for Spanish-speaking members at the Rockwall campus. He compares it to LPC’s other stand-alone structure, The Pier, where church youth have long enjoyed the benefits of their own fellowship space. But he explains the new building is multi-purpose. With approximately 44,000 square feet that includes 23 classrooms, it will serve the entire congregation.

The name for the new building suggests connection rather than separation according to Lewis, who says Hispanics, “like others, are more comfortable with their native language for praying and worshiping.” But at LPC, “they have the same membership classes, same missions, and the same service opportunities.”

The Bridge opened its 625-seat sanctuary to host two Spanish-speaking services on May 13 and welcomed 1,350 attendees—a packed house. “Mother’s Day always has the highest attendance for Hispanics—more than Christmas and Easter,” Lewis said. However, only one Spanish service is in place at this time, with a plan for another to be added when needed.

The building is also the new home for the Classic Worship service for senior adults and those among them who prefer traditional, hymn-based singing. They had long been meeting in the church gymnasium, which necessitated weekly set up for both Classic and Hispanic services.

“The gym was a hard space for newcomers to locate,” Lewis said, adding, “The Bridge is a great upgrade. No more tear-down needed.”

Lewis said the new sanctuary is a better space for many needs, including weddings and funerals. “The lighting and design will serve these well,” he explained.

The Bridge will accommodate other LPC groups, such as ReEngage, a ministry that helps married couples “to reconnect,” and it offers additional rooms for Life Groups, which meet for weekend Bible study and fellowship. (Disclaimer: My husband and I are LPC members, and our Life Group is moving over).

Another benefit of the new facility will come later, when old portables on the property’s east side will go away. The many LPC members who politely compete for parking spaces will gain a reclaimed parking area.

By Patti Richter. Photo courtesy of Nate Merrill, Lake Pointe Church.

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