Iglesia Esperanza for Bethlehem Moravian Church

On July of 2009, the Northern Province of the Moravian Church invited Pastor Tracy Robinson to explore a mission church to the Latino community in the Lehigh Valley. During that first year, Pastor Robinson established a Core Team, began a Bible Study at College Hill, met dozens of ecumenical and community leaders and Latino business owners, and walked the neighborhoods particularly in south Bethle

hem. As he became more and more drawn to the people and their particular needs on the South Side of Bethlehem, this new ministry was given a name. That’s when the name Iglesia Esperanza for Bethlehem became synonymous to the calling of the Moravian Churches own Ministries to the Latino Community. John’s Windish Lutheran Church at 617 E. 4th Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015. Later on, it developed into a full-blown worship experience which was held every Sunday night with an average attendance of 40 during the summer and 60 to 80 during the fall and winter season. Followed by bible study, classes were made available to learn music, computer and English as a second language or (ESL). There were also our regular after school kids homework club, and exercise classes for adults. These were all held weekly, from Monday to Friday. Once a month on Friday there will be a music event for teenagers called “Power Up”. Every spring a community outreach and day of service called “Familia” is held in the parking lot with free lunch, kid’s games and music, starting at 9 am and ending at 3 pm. Our partner congregations are instrumental in helping with these events, including organizing food, clothing, books, toys, toothbrushes and disposable diaper and wipes giveaways. In the summer our partner churches collect backpacks and school supplies. In the fall they collect coats, hats and mittens. The goal of Esperanza is to bring hope to people who are dealing with overwhelming deficits, including economic, medical, separations from homeland and families, transportation needs, under employment, educational and in some cases legal issues. Our dual language worship time often include children’s crafts, a meal after worship. It’s even geared towards an opportunity for the students in our music classes to participate. We welcome people from other congregations to help minister with us, to help with classes, to contribute to our collections and to pray for the children and the families of South Bethlehem. Our mission is complex with over a dozen different Latino nationalities already identified. We strive to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone who comes to our events. For most of our years in ministry we have been able to celebrate Christmas and Easter as a community. We have had wedding and baptisms. After our first New Member’s classes, over 37 people became the charter members of this growing mission community of faith. In February of 2013, Pastor Rhonda Robinson, joined the ministry and brought with her all her experiences with worship, bible study, Vacation Bible School or (VBS), christian education, children ministry and other vital roles which will enhance this ministry community involvements. In August of 2018 our ministry no longer had a place to do ministry or even worship, so Pastors Tracy and Rhonda and their family opened up their home at 724 E. 6th Street, to do worship and ministries. We were at this location for 10 months when the Leaders of the Moravian Church or (PEC) announced that they were helping us find a more permanent space. The Moravian Church Northern Province went ahead and purchased a Church Building, parsonage and parking lot, so that Esperanza for Bethlehem can continue doing their work in the community on the South Side of Bethlehem, PA. After 1 year in preparing the building for use, we were able to open up only the Sanctuary. All other buildings or areas were still under construction. However, very shortly, because of COVID we had to close down twice. Our sanctuary remains close at this time, but we still do Worship online on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EsperanzaForBethlehem. We are also still doing our outreach serving the community, by providing after school snack for our kids, winter scarfs, gloves and hats, cook food, Christmas gift, school supplies, etc. Here are some of our partners in ministries:
Central Moravian Church
College Hill Moravian Church
Edgeboro Moravian Church
EastHills Moravian
West Side Moravian Church
Advent Moravian Church
Calvary Moravian Church
Palmer Moravian Church
Schoeneck Moravian Church
Nazareth Moravian Church
Wesley United Methodist Church
New Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church

In December 2020 we were finally able to move into the parsonage. However, the fellowship hall at the church remains under construction, so all ministries have to be done remotely or by vehicle. Our new church building location: 1238 E. 4th Street, and our Parsonage and office address is at 1240 E. 4th Street, Bethlehem, PA 18915. Here is the pastor’s info if you need to get in touch with us: Pastor Tracy Robinson email is: [email protected]. Phone number: 610-504-9127. Pastor Rhonda Robinson: [email protected] and 484-895-5582