A Carthage Hispanic Church Grows by the Hundreds
By: Katie Love
Updated: July 9, 2012
CARTHAGE, MO.--- Pastor Francisco Bonilla first stood in front of this pulpit, only preaching to 20 people. Now, 16 years later, his church is filled to the brim, with more than 400 members.
"This nation is the only nation in the world that welcomes people like us that come from other nations into their home," says Bonilla.
Pastor Bonilla called it a "Daunting Task", starting the 1st hispanic church in Carthage. Now he says he is not sure what he was scared of, both the community of Carthage and the United States have welcomed him and his family from El Salvador, with open arms.
"I can tell you for sure there's no other county in the world that will welcome you in the way the U.S. did," says Bonilla.
The hispanic church members celebrated America's birthday with a spin. On the 4th of July, they filled the streets in front of the church, celebrating the U.S. with a 'Bible Parade'.
"It was great. We never thought it was going to be so big. I didn't think there was going to be so much support like there was. It was awesome. A great experience," says Yoselina Bonilla, Church Member.
500 members from 9 hispanic churches proudly waved their American flags in the parade.
"It was good for the hispanic community to show U.S. citizens that we are trying to do something to salute the United States and say, hey you have done a lot for us and we just want to say thanks," says Yoselina.
A thanks many say is not needed, Carthage leader say the hispanic community have been great neighbors.
"This nation is the only nation in the world that welcomes people like us that come from other nations into their home," says Bonilla.
Pastor Bonilla called it a "Daunting Task", starting the 1st hispanic church in Carthage. Now he says he is not sure what he was scared of, both the community of Carthage and the United States have welcomed him and his family from El Salvador, with open arms.
"I can tell you for sure there's no other county in the world that will welcome you in the way the U.S. did," says Bonilla.
The hispanic church members celebrated America's birthday with a spin. On the 4th of July, they filled the streets in front of the church, celebrating the U.S. with a 'Bible Parade'.
"It was great. We never thought it was going to be so big. I didn't think there was going to be so much support like there was. It was awesome. A great experience," says Yoselina Bonilla, Church Member.
500 members from 9 hispanic churches proudly waved their American flags in the parade.
"It was good for the hispanic community to show U.S. citizens that we are trying to do something to salute the United States and say, hey you have done a lot for us and we just want to say thanks," says Yoselina.
A thanks many say is not needed, Carthage leader say the hispanic community have been great neighbors.
