New Spanish group forms on the east side of Las Vegas

By Denny Krause

Photo by Denny Krause

Worshippers warmly greet each other during a worship service.

Spanish-speaking Adventists congregations have been on the west side of Las Vegas for several decades.

Andy Silva, pastor of the west side Camino a Cristo church, and various members of his congregation developed a vision to establish a Spanish ministry on the east side of Las Vegas.

In the summer of 2011, a search began for a site that could house a new Spanish-speaking group, under the Camino a Cristo parent church. By the fall, Sabbath services began in a rented first-day church with about 25 people from Camino a Cristo. The group was officially named Oasis Espiritual (“Spiritual Oasis”).

Since then, attendance has increased to 60-80 individuals every Sabbath. Many of those attending on a weekly basis are new interests as a result of an active program of witnessing in the area surrounding the church.

Mario Avila and Douglas Falla lead the group and keep them active and enthused. Weekly fellowship dinners, followed by local community outreach, spur growth and keep members involved.

“Our group is very committed and is growing nicely,” says Avila. “We hope to become a company soon, and eventually a regular church congregation with our own church site.”

The church is located in a strip mall at 4884 East Charleston Blvd. in Las Vegas.