More than nine years ago First Baptist Church of Fountain Hills began helping a small church with a young pastor (Alfredo Marin) in Empalme, Mexico.

Empalme is located about 420 miles south of Fountain Hills.

This connection has proved to be a blessing to both churches.

It began with a Vacation Bible School program for the children of the church and community. It was from this beginning that First Baptist learned that Pastor Alfredo was a man full of energy and compassion for this community.

Children were transported to the church each day and learned Bible stories and had fun and recreational games.

Although language can often be a barrier, since many of the members of the team from First Baptist did not speak Spanish, they found ways to communicate.

First Baptist Church has sent teams of workers each year since that first year, and one year they sent 29 youths from the church to help.

The transportation needs of the Empalme church also led to the donation of an older 15-passenger van to help in its ministry to the children and to the community.

The small Mexican church has grown through the years as well as the ministry to children, and after a few years the church had outgrown its space to adequately accommodate the children’s ministry.

The space needs have continued to grow more critical.

This has led First Baptist Church to begin to raise funds to provide more space for the church and a home for Pastor Alfredo and his family, since the Empalme church has currently been meeting in his home to provide many of the ministries.

First Baptist has held several fundraisers this year and has sought donations for this project.

So far more than $10,000 has been raised.

It is estimated that the project will cost more than $30,000.

“We have been blessed to be a part of this ministry, and if you are interested in seeing more or donating, or reading about some of what has been happening in Empalme, Mexico we encourage you to explore further,” said First Baptist Pastor Tony Pierce.

More information is available at http:donate.emplamevision.org/.

One may also contact the local coordinator of this project, Ted Reisig, at 837-3152.