Church lets students open window on computers

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FORT WORTH—At Iglesia Bautista Dios Te Ama in Fort Worth, faces light up with the click of a button.

Twice a week, people pack into the church for computer classes, smiles spreading across their faces as they learn to use a variety of programs and surf the Internet. For many in the class, it is the first time they have ever turned on a computer, clicked a mouse or used a program. As they learn to use the machines, they open up opportunities like they open up windows on their screens, said Pastor Cesar Haidar.

The computer classes are part of the congregation’s attempt to share the transformational gospel with its community, Haidar said. The classes draw people to the church and give members an opportunity to introduce people to increased job skills and a relationship with Christ.

A student learns computer skills at Iglesia Bautista Dios Te Ama in Fort Worth. The computer classes draw people to the church and give members an opportunity to teach job skills and introduce their neighbors to a relationship with Christ. (BGCT PHOTO)

At the end of each three-month course, the church holds a graduation party for those who complete the program. For many, they will be awarded their first diploma there. Friends and family turn out for the event. During that time, they also hear the gospel from an evangelist.

“They come to church,” Haidar said. “We teach them. We prepare them. We serve them. We introduce Jesus to them as Lord and Savior. We don’t know the plans of the Lord, but we can say we have confronted people with the message of Jesus.”

In four years, about 60 people have made professions of faith in Christ as a result of the computer lab. Many of those people have been baptized. Some are part of Iglesia Bautista Dios Te Ama. Others have moved on and are sharing the gospel in other places, Haidar said.

One graduate of the course returned to Mexico, where he introduced Christ to the rest of his family, Haidar said. Now the man is working alongside a Mexican pastor and hopes one day to lead a congregation.

The church’s computer lab recently was enhanced when the Baptist General Convention of Texas provided newer equipment for the effort. The upgrades will make the lab more efficient and effective, the pastor said.

Gerald Davis, community development director on the BGCT Executive Board staff, is assisting congregations set up certified computer labs where people can learn skills and about Christ. The convention is working with labs in Fort Worth, Dallas, Grand Prairie, Greenville, Goliad, Abilene and Houston. Classes meet practical needs for people who do not know how to use computers and provide a chance for churches to build relationships with lost people.


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“The approach of using computer classes to share the gospel embodies the spirit of Texas Hope 2010, an effort encouraging Baptists to pray for others, care for those in need and share the gospel,” Davis said. “Computer labs are bathed in prayer, meet the needs of people in the community and provide a way for churches to relationally share the hope of Christ with the lost.”

The BGCT recently provided 15 computers to the new Christian Women’s Job Corps site at First Baptist Church in Grand Prairie. Ten students began the first class Aug. 24.

Christian Women Job Corps Site Coordinator Judy Humphrey said the computers fit perfectly into the group’s ministry. The CWJC program provides women an opportunity to better themselves. In a tough economy, jobs are difficult to find. This program helps women develop skills to increase their chances of gaining employment. Two staff agencies already approached Humphrey about the possibility of hiring the first class of women.

“Job corps teaches a variety of skills,” Humphrey said. “It’s how to balance a checkbook, how to prepare for an interview, how to dress for an interview, how to be a parent, how to balance a budget. We build upon the skills women already have in order to improve their lives at home and work.”

Humphrey said the program, housed at First Baptist Church, seeks to help women by addressing all their needs.

“We are trying to give women a hand up to better their family lives through life skills training and job potential through job training. We also meet the spiritual needs of the women. We do daily devotionals, and once a week, we do an in-depth Bible study.”

At Iglesia Bautista Dios Te Ama, Haidar believes the congregation is only beginning to realize the potential of holding classes at the church. Soon, the church hopes to start English as a Second Language classes. Through the BGCT online GED program, the congregation is hoping to offer the community an opportunity to earn free high school equivalency diplomas. Working through programming, the church also plans to help people work toward attaining college degrees.

Each additional class will help the church introduce the gospel to more people, Haidar said. Right now, three people a day call for information about the church’s computer classes. As offerings multiply, interest will multiply as well.

“I think we are the smallest church in the entire county,” he said. “We are small in building. We don’t have many people in our congregation. But we have a heart. We want to serve as (God) has taught us to do.”

For more information about help with computer labs or the BGCT GED program, call (888) 244-9400.

 


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