The Birth of the Cincinnati Hispanic Children's Church

Story by Francis Tuffour

What began as a challenge during Sabbath worship at the Cincinnati Hispanic church ultimately became a powerful ministry that is now shaping the spiritual lives of children and strengthening the entire congregation.

When the church’s pastor, Fredy Funez, first visited the congregation after being assigned there, he immediately noticed the atmosphere inside the sanctuary. Large fans hummed loudly, infants cried, children whispered and moved about and a steady murmur filled the room. The distractions competed with the message he was trying to deliver from the pulpit.

That Sabbath, one question weighed heavily on his mind: How could this situation be addressed?

His first response was the most straightforward approach—preach about reverence. The following Sabbath, he delivered a sermon on reverence. For that day, the atmosphere noticeably improved.

But the improvement was short-lived. Within the next few Sabbaths, the noise and distractions returned. Each week, the challenge resurfaced, and the pastor’s frustration grew as he tried to preach over the commotion.

Then, one Sabbath, an unexpected conversation shifted the direction of the church’s approach.

An old friend, Edwing Monterroza, Ohio Conference director for Multilingual Ministries, was visiting the area. After the service, the two spoke about the ongoing challenge in the sanctuary.

With simple clarity, Monterroze offered a suggestion that would soon change everything. 

"Why don't you create a children's church?"

The idea immediately sparked interest. Rather than viewing the children as a distraction, the church could intentionally invest in them and create a worship experience designed specifically for their spiritual development. 

The pastor shared the concept with church leadership, and the proposal was later presented to the church and the congregation. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and the initiative was approved.

Three leaders—Genara Vidal, Eduardo Urrutia and Ana Ramírez—were appointed as elders to over-see the new ministry. A dedicated team of teachers supported the ministry and committed themselves to the spiritual formation of the church’s youngest members. At the same time, church leaders organized an Adventurer Club.

After a pilot service, church leaders formally launched the Cincinnati Hispanic children’s church.

The program was intentionally designed to give children an active role in worship. Currently, the young participants lead the entire service—from song service to Scripture reading to preaching.

They gather in their own dedicated space and use resources specifically designed for their age group.

Since the ministry began, punctuality and attendance have increased, and the previous noise during the main worship service has decreased significantly. 

The church has also seen financial faithfulness grow, with tithes doubling. New ministries have emerged as well, including a Pathfinder Club. Most importantly, several children and parents have made decisions for baptism.

“The Cincinnati children’s church has been more than a pilot project—it has been a great blessing for the entire congregation,” Monterroza says. “Without a doubt, it is a divine project.”

The experience serves as a reminder of a simple but profound truth: When the church intentionally invests in its children, it strengthens the present life of the congregation while preparing the future of the mission.