Dinner at Sunnycrest UMC with fellowship for Hispanic and non-Hispanic. Photos courtesy of Pastor Herman Perez.

Iglesia Renuevo is a Hispanic ministry that is  growing in spirit and numbers. The ministry is connecting with 200 people each week through worship and discipleship. Pastor Herman Perez is the leader of Hispanic worshipping communities at Sunnycrest UMC in Sioux Falls and Plankinton UMC. 

Sunnycrest United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, launched a Hispanic worshipping community in 2019. What started as a single worship service has blossomed into an evangelistic, multi-cultural ministry. Recently, a dinner connected various groups at Sunnycrest UMC and Renuevo. 

"We planned for over a month. We didn't know what to expect. More than 100 people were fellowshipping together, Hispanic and non-Hispanic. It was amazing and beautiful," said Pastor Herman. "We had people from Redeemed—recovery ministry. We got people from Sunnycrest's leadership board. People from Sunnycrest's traditional service and contemporary service, and a lot of people who are part of Renuevo attended."

The dinner fellowship was so successful that plans are underway for another one in April. Pastor Mario from Guatemala will be a guest at the gathering in Sioux Falls. Pastor Mario will also travel to Plankinton. 

"It is a way for the entire community connected with Sunnycrest and Sioux Falls to be together," shared Pastor Herman. "We will have different groups take turns cooking. A lot of people like it when Renuevo cooks. They love the food." 

On Thursday evenings at Plankinton United Methodist Church, 50-60 people gather for a Hispanic worship service. "One week, we had 79 people. That is amazing," Pastor Herman said. 

Gathering at Plankinton UMC for Renuevo worship.

Pastor Herman's schedule is a little busy as discipleship groups and activities are forming in both locations. In Sioux Falls, Hispanic worship happens on Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m. In Plankinton, worship takes place on Thursday at 7 p.m.

"On Tuesday nights, we have a disciple group. Ladies meet on Wednesdays for Bible study," explains Pastor Herman. "Remember this: I'm not doing everything. I have an amazing group of leaders. I was out of the church for a month last year. I was in the hospital for one week and needed to stay home for three weeks for treatment. When I came back, it's like nothing happened. Everything was running smooth, like nothing happened."

Amazing musicians fuel the ministry. Pastor Herman's son, Abraham Perez, serves as the worship director and communications director for Sunnycrest and Renuevo. Abraham trains and assists musicians. 

"This is God at work. We had a group of musicians that wanted to be with us and make all the decisions. They were not approved, and they left the church one Sunday. So, we didn't have musicians the next Sunday," explained Pastor Herman. "Lazaro told me, 'Don't worry. Let's see what we can do.' Lazaro's family— his wife Nohemi and sons Diego and Christian, jumped in. They are the worship team right now. Abraham is helping to teach them, working with them. God is so good!"

Financially, Renuevo is supported by tithing, Dakotas Conference Thrive funds, Sunnycrest UMC, Plankinton UMC, and other generous gifts.

"We have some ranchers from Virginia, close to Washington D.C., once in a while they send an offering to us, $4,000, $2,000, $3,000. They don't know us. They just put it in their heart that they would do something in rural areas," shared Pastor Herman. "A group of ranchers near Dimock, South Dakota, called me to donate food for dinner church. They donated ground beef to use with dinner on Thursdays in Plankinton. They care about us. That's amazing."

Renuevo is exploring a future worshipping community in Rapid City, South Dakota. Pastor Herman and other leaders from Iglesia Renuevo will spend some exploratory time visiting United Methodist leaders and congregations. The visiting team will seek to reach the Hispanic community and connect with people where they are.

"We are going to spend some days there. We will talk to the pastors, pray with them, and discern the area. We will see what happens. Pastor Lazaro and his family are ready to move there if that is God's vision. We will wait for the Lord," said Pastor Herman.

For now, the ministry continues to grow in Sioux Falls and Plankinton. Every day, new people are connecting with the Hispanic ministry. "We are going to start going to Blessings Repeated in Plankinton once a week. That is where it started for us in Plankinton. They are now open every day of the week. The school in Plankinton wants us to visit more to work with the Hispanic kids," said Pastor Herman. "The people continue to show up in Sioux Falls, and people are stepping forward to lead. The Lord is doing something amazing. We just jump in. I'm enjoying the ride."

Resources:
Watch a video of the Reunuevo service in Plankinton
Watch a video about how Iglesia Renuevo got started
Learn more about Fresh Expressions