Custer Road en Español Celebrates Unity, Diversity at Hispanic Heritage Day Worship

Rev. Dr. David Rangel leads prayer during the Hispanic Heritage Day worship service at Custer Road en Español.

Members of Custer Road en Español gathered on the afternoon of Oct. 5 for a spirited worship service celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and honoring the many cultures and countries represented in their growing congregation.

The celebration, now in its third year, brought together participants from more than a dozen nations across Latin America, including Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, Cuba, Panama, Aruba, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, along with Puerto Rico and the United States.

The service, held on World Communion Sunday, featured music, prayer and a sermon centered on unity in Christ. Children and youth processed to the front of the sanctuary carrying flags from each nation represented, followed by a prayer for the countries, and for many, for families still there.

“It’s a reminder that even though we come from different places, we are one in Christ,” said Rev. Dr. David Rangel, who leads Custer Road en Español, the Spanish-speaking ministry of Custer Road United Methodist Church.

The multicultural spirit extended to the communion table, where bread and cup were shared as a symbol of the worldwide body of Christ. After worship, the congregation enjoyed a time of fellowship with desserts, snacks and food from various Latin American traditions.

Custer Road en Español began unexpectedly, Rangel said, when members of the nearby Venezuelan community began seeking asylum in the United States and looked for assistance and spiritual support at Custer Road. What started as a ministry providing furniture through a partnership with BedStart and meeting basic needs soon grew into a vibrant church community where more than 250 people worship in Spanish every Sunday.

“About 80 to 90 percent of our people had little or no church background,” Rangel said. “They came looking for help, and they found a church family. It’s been beautiful to see people come to faith, celebrate baptisms, get married and build new lives here.”

The congregation continues to support one another through challenges, including recent immigration struggles that have affected several members. “There’s a lot of prayer, companionship and financial support for families; our Spanish ministry is also possible thanks to the partnership of the English ministry and congregants of Custer Road United Methodist Church,” Rangel said. 

Through events like Hispanic Heritage Day, Custer Road en Español continues to embody the message of unity in diversity—celebrating culture, community and the transforming love of Christ.