The Iglesia Bautista Hispana de Providence is celebrating a remarkable milestone this month: 40 years of continuous ministry to Rhode Island's Latin community. Founded in 1985 by a small group of Puerto Rican families who gathered in a living room on Broad Street, the church has grown into one of the most influential Latin Protestant congregations in New England.

Humble Beginnings

The church's founding pastor, the Reverend Samuel Ortiz, arrived in Providence from Bayamón, Puerto Rico in 1984. Finding few Spanish-language Protestant worship options, he began holding Bible studies in his home. Within a year, the group had grown large enough to rent a storefront on Broad Street, and the Iglesia Bautista Hispana de Providence was officially incorporated.

"We started with 12 people and a borrowed piano," recalled Reverend Ortiz, now 78 and retired. "God has been faithful beyond anything we could have imagined."

Four Decades of Service

Over the past 40 years, the church has:

- Baptized more than 800 new believers - Established a food pantry that serves 200 families monthly - Founded an after-school tutoring program that has served thousands of children - Planted three daughter churches in Pawtucket, Central Falls, and Woonsocket - Provided emergency assistance to hundreds of immigrant families

Anniversary Celebrations

The week-long anniversary celebration will include special services each evening, a community dinner on Saturday, and a gala worship service on Sunday with guests from sister churches across New England.

Current pastor Reverend David Colón has invited all former members, wherever they may be, to return for the celebration.

"This church is not a building — it is a family. And families celebrate together." — Reverend David Colón