Finances were in bad shape when the Bakersfield Hispanic congregation put their property on the market two years ago. They were in debt and digging nearly $50,000 deeper every month.

“We had an offer for $2.6 million,” remembers Pastor Marco Valenca. “But we couldn’t find a property for was low enough so we would have any money left to build.”

The church members went to their knees. Then, in December 2005, they learned of a Baptist church for sale. The property was run down and expensive. The church bid low, $800,000, and got the church. “We sold our old property in July, 2006, and less than a week later closed on our new property,” says Valenca.

Expert and experienced help came from Adventists from other churches, especially Curley Carlise from Bakersfield Southside and Ivan Morford from Clovis.

By the end of August, they were moved into their new church home and began renovations of the sanctuary. Phase one was completed and the new church dedicated in November. Phase two — adding a multipurpose building with gym, kitchen, eight classrooms and restrooms — should be completed by December 2007.

Attendance jumped from 170 to 210 after the move and continues to grow. The remodeled sanctuary will hold 300. Members are working to fill the space with a variety of outreach programs specifically targeted to their Hispanic community, small groups and innovative worship services on the weekends.

“Now we are completely out of debt, and we’ve been able to start an education endowment of $100,000 for our children,” Valenca reports, adding that 20 children are now attending Bakersfield Adventist Academy. “None of this could have happened if the Lord had not brought a buyer and given us the right church to move into.”