REACHING OUT TO COMMUNITY CHURCH'S AGING CONGREGATION LOOKS FOR YOUNGER MEMBERS.

Byline: Holly J. Andres Staff Writer

SAN FERNANDO - It's been 50 years since Lowell Judd made First Baptist Church of San Fernando his neighborhood church.

Judd didn't limit his commitment to his faith to just Sunday services. He became a vital part of what he called ``our close-knit family'' - most of the current members have been with the church for more than 40 years - as he served in various capacities on the church board.

``There is so much love. We look out for each other,'' Judd said. ``The fellowship of the church is what my wife and I like.''

As the congregation has aged and dwindled, the congregation and its clergy leaders want to pass the baton of fellowship and Christian learning on to those who now live in the surrounding neighborhood - estimated to be 95 percent Hispanic.

They also recognize that younger people respond to a contemporary style of worship, like the excitement of a praise band, and they have given their blessing to an effort to start a new congregation that would consist of English-speaking families who would hold a service at a different time in the sanctuary.

``We live in a culture where there's lots of exciting things to do. There are a lot of families involved in sports on Sunday. Other people just want to take Sunday off and read the paper,'' said Pastor Joseph Espinoza.

``We would like to make such an experience of God that they see the value and take the time to come into a community of believers.''

Espinoza, who will be ordained next year, chats up people on what they are looking for in a church community as he travels around San Fernando looking for people to make up that new congregation. He has come to realize that the church is viewed more as a landmark - it is across from the San Fernando Courthouse - than a faith community.

``People have forgotten we're here. There is a Spanish-speaking group who meet at 9 a.m. in our chapel, but I'm targeting the English-speaking Hispanic community, the families with children especially,'' Espinoza said. ``We're trying to discern their needs. Our pastor and our people haven't given up. We can do good work here. We can make a meaningful mark in the community.''

Some of the needs that Espinoza and the Rev. Jim Wilson from First Baptist of San Fernando have identified are tutoring for elementary-school students, workshops on strengthening marriage and parenting skills, and activities for teens.

``Our goal is to make an impact on the city of San Fernando for Christ. There's an Old Testament verse that says, seek the welfare of the city you are in and be a blessing for that city,'' said Wilson. ``We need to make our presence felt and get that core group.''

Pastor Joseph Espinoza will lead the 9:30 a.m. Sunday service for the next five weeks at First Baptist Church of San Fernando, 215 MacNeil St. Call [phone].

Holly Andres, [phone]

holly.andres(at)dailynews.com

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First Baptist Church Pastor Joseph Espinoza, with Marge Beaman, church secretary, says he is targeting San Fernando's English-speaking Hispanic community, especially families. ``People have forgotten we're here,'' he said.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer