See First Sevierville UMC Hispanic congregation photos on Flickr.

See First Gatlinburg UMC Hispanic congregation photos on Flickr.   

In addition to his role as Holston's Hispanic ministry coordinator, the Rev. Arturo Reyna also serves as pastor of Rios de Agua Viva in Morristown, Tenn. The pastor of Puerta Del Cieolo in Galax, Va., is Javier Hernandez.

Other Hispanic congregations in Holston include:

• Casa del Alfarero in Philadelphia, Tenn., led by Daniel Castillo
• San Juan in Maryville, Tenn., led by Daniel Castillo
• Mt. Sion in Greeneville, Tenn, led by Iver Lopez
• Manantial de Vida in Abingdon, Va., led by Yolanda Miranda
• First UMC in Hillsville, Va., led by Saul Barba
• First UMC in Pulaski, Va., led by Sebastian and Araceli Ruiz

The pastor of First UMC of Sevierville, Tenn., is the Rev. Drew Henry. The pastor of First UMC of Gatlinburg, Tenn., is the Rev. Jane Taylor.

The Rev. Jane Taylor says she was inspired to start a new Hispanic worship service at First Gatlinburg UMC after being approached by two Hispanic groups interested in renting worship space, and after finishing a “Vital Congregations” report revealing a ministry need in the local Latino community.

Between 2000 and 2010, Tennessee’s Hispanic population grew by 134 percent, the third fastest-growing rate in the nation after South Carolina (148 percent) and Alabama (145 percent), according to the U.S. Census Bureau. However, Tennessee’s Hispanic population percentage (4.7 percent) is still low compared to the national percentage (16.7 percent).

Sevier County’s Hispanic percentage grew 441 percent from 2000 to 2010, from 1.2 percent of the total county population to 5.3 percent. In Holston Conference, Tennessee counties with the highest Hispanic populations include Hamblen (10.7 percent) and Loudon (7 percent), according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

? Return to: "Sevierville spirit: Husband-wife team lead fast-growing Hispanic congregation" (The Call, 4/15/13)