Hybrid Evangelism Program Sparks Community Engagement, Baptisms

The South London Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church in London, England has launched a hybrid evangelism program, which combines in-person and online outreach, aimed at serving the local Hispanic community, particularly the roughly 13,000 immigrants living within a 30-minute radius of the church in Lambeth.

The program, initiated in March, combines faith talks, emotional support, and educational workshops under the motto, “We are collaborators with God in your salvation and happiness.”

With around 200,000 Spanish-speaking individuals residing in the United Kingdom, the church identified a need to address the spiritual and emotional needs of the Hispanic population. The church’s strategy targets four groups: former Adventists, people with Adventist relatives, alumni of Adventist educational institutions, and those who have attended campaigns or received Bible studies.

The program features three midweek initiatives, which include Family School on Sundays. Family School is a family-oriented program led by mental health experts, offering crucial support and guidance. It also includes Nights of Power on Wednesdays, a two-hour podcast-style prayer session providing solace and intercession. Finally, it includes This We Believe on Fridays, which is an informative study of the 28 Adventist fundamental beliefs.

The “Mental Health for Immigrants” series, part of the Family School program, concluded in June and resonated deeply with the community, attracting hundreds of viewers on Facebook and YouTube, local church leaders said.

The church is seeing tangible results. Forty-three individuals discovered the church through the social media advertising campaign and joined Saturday (Sabbath) services, with several becoming regular attendees. Nine have expressed interest in Bible studies, and seven consistently participate in services. “We are thankful for the way God has showered blessings upon this initiative,” local church pastor Luis Fajardo said. “We never anticipated such a warm reception and swift results. It’s clear that even amidst the hustle and bustle of the world’s major cities, the irreplaceable need for God remains.”

Among the attendees is Jenny, originally from the Dominican Republic, an alumnus of an Adventist school who, along with her children, has been attending the church for five consecutive Sabbaths. She invited her colleague Pilar, a former Adventist from Colombia, who has also rekindled her faith journey through regular attendance. Recently, Jenny and eight other visitors responded to a baptism appeal by visiting pastor Carlos Campitelli, youth director of the Adventist Church’s South American Division.

“This initiative exemplifies the church’s commitment to hybrid evangelism, blending traditional outreach with modern digital platforms,” Fajardo said. “The South London Hispanic church’s program is a prime example of how faith communities can engage and support their members in the digital age in partnership with God.”

The original version of this story was posted on the Trans-European Division news site.