Ministry Reaches Out To Migrant Workers

The small, rural community of DeMotte, Ind., is marked by dozens of huge dairy and cattle farms. And while that might not seem, at first glance, an obvious place to plant a Hispanic church, some local farmers knew why it would work perfectly -- a growing number of the workers on their farms are Mexican immigrants.

Northwest Indiana’s First CRC, Community CRC, and Bethel CRC, along with a group of DeMotte-area farmers and Christian Reformed Home Missions, partnered to start Agua Vida (“Living Water”) last summer.

Now, with Rev. Arturo Olguin leading the way, this new church attracts more than 50 migrant workers and their families to Sunday morning services.

Prior to calling Olguin to DeMotte, the three CRCs and local businesses formed Hispanic Ministry Support teams. Both teams, which include local Hispanic couples, deal with financial matters and also help with general support for Agua Vida’s local activies, such as a summer Vacation Bible School.

Olguin, who had previously led a Home Missions-funded church in New York City, is doing more than simply preaching the Word every Sunday. He regularly travels to local farms, holding Bible studies with Hispanic farm workers during his visits.

This, in fact, is a critical part of his ministry, because many of these workers have to labor while Aqua Vida worship services are taking place.

“The Hispanic people here work very hard, including Sundays,” says Olguin. “There are Sundays we have many people in church and others when we don’t, because of their work schedules.”

Olguin and his team also offer three English as a Second Language classes, with more than 20 people currently enrolled. Another important part of the ministry is Olguin’s family counseling. “To me, that’s the heart of this ministry,” he says.

During these visits, Olguin strives to deliver family-focused Bible studies. “I’m trying to relate to families, sharing what the Bible has to say about being parents and children,” he adds.