The history of the Ebenezer Spanish church began 21 years ago, when a group of members left the Hollywood Spanish church with the purpose of starting a new church. The first item for the new congregation was to find a meeting place. After first meeting in parks, they were allowed to meet in the chapel of the Ethiopian Christian Fellowship church in Los Angeles while they committed to raise funds for their own building.
Fundraising took place over many years, with the sustained dedication of the members. The congregation focused on doing ministry by hosting concerts and evangelistic meetings. At this time, the congregation saw growth under the supervision of the Hollywood Spanish church.
All the while, the search for a building continued. By June 2011, the Lord had led the congregation to a building, they secured a loan, and the building was purchased. The building was not in good condition, however, and two months were spent remodeling the building. In August 2011, the congregation celebrated the inauguration of the temple where they would continue their ministry in Los Angeles. It was at this time they chose as their motto: “Serving the community with joy.”
In 2013, the congregation was officially organized as a company with the name Ebenezer Spanish company. The congregation continued to grow as a company and expand its ministries.
The latest milestone in the congregation’s history came this spring: achieving church status. At a special celebration event this June, SCC Executive Secretary John H. Cress spoke about the congregation’s growth and evangelistic efforts as observed by the conference, recognizing “what God has done and will continue to do in this place.”
A secondary purpose for the event was to celebrate the full payment of their mortgage, for which the last payment was made in January 2022. To commemorate this achievement, SCC Treasurer/CFO Kathleen Diaz burned the mortgage papers. It was also an opportunity to honor the conference’s building appropriations commitment by presenting a check for $40,000 to the church.
SCC President Velino A. Salazar presented a challenge to the church inspired by the great commission found in Matthew 28:19-20. “Jesus gave us the commission,” he said, encouraging the members that “people need to hear about Jesus. You are disciples. The passage concludes by saying ‘I will be with you.’ Only at certain times? No—until the end of the world!”
Learn more and connect with Ebenezer Spanish church at https://www.laebenezer.com/.
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