Members of the Shafter Church recently learned firsthand the power of Romans 8:28, "All things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose."

When the church was gifted a 70-year-old house next door to their sanctuary, the plan was to demolish it. Finding that the demolition cost was about the same as remodeling, the board voted to remodel and rent out the home, according to Dana Mulder, head elder of the congregation.

"We did the work on the house to restore it, then we figured the rent in two year’s time would replenish that fund," he says. "After that time, the rent money will go to maintain the school and the church."

The Shafter congregation had changed over the years. Once, the church books held names of more than 500 members—now only 100 were listed, with 30 to 40 in attendance each week. A once thriving church school struggled to stay open.

The town had changed dramatically, too. The community was now 80 percent Hispanic, and the Shafter Church members had no idea how to reach the Spanish-speaking public.

Members decided to use an existing asset to reach their neighbors. "The church family has made the church school its focus of ministry," says Pastor Olaf Betat. In the economically challenged community, the Shafter members offer significant tuition subsidies—even full tuition if needed. "It’s been remarkable."

Two years ago, another decision was made to plant a Hispanic church. Mulder called George Johnson, conference director of church plants and special evangelism projects, for help. Assisted with funds from the Camp Meeting Evangelism Offering, Bible worker David Pikop was sent to help. In the meantime, the English-speaking church members were busy prayer-walking the neighborhoods and giving out literature.

With people lined up to rent the remodeled house, it looked like everything was falling into place. "Just before we were ready, the renters said they’d changed their minds," says Mulder.

But the house wasn’t left empty for long. The church invited Alex Romo to be a Bible worker. He and wife, Sandra, both Weimar graduates, moved into the house and went to work.

Today, there are 35 to 40 Hispanic members meeting Sabbaths in the church’s Community Education Center. Weekly door-to-door sharing, Bible studies, and Friday and Saturday night programs support the continued growth.

Mulder marvels at the way God put it all together. "Sometimes the Lord works things out in mysterious ways that I don’t understand," he says. "They’re having more Hispanics meeting there than we have on the Anglo side. They are really pushing it, and the Lord is blessing them."