ST. PETERSBURG — Last year the St. Petersburg District and members of the former High Point United Methodist Church in Clearwater were agonizing over the struggling congregation’s future. Last month the church was the site of a celebration of new ministry and new hopes.

The High Point church became First Hispanic United Methodist Church of Truth and Life Feb. 27, the St. Petersburg District’s first Hispanic church. The 45-member church moved into the building in January and celebrated the new chapter in its life with a worship service attended by Florida Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker and other Florida Conference leaders. More than 150 people from the High Point community participated.

The Rev. Ramiro Exposito, the church’s pastor and district Hispanic ministry coordinator, said the building and land are very symbolic to the church’s members and Hispanics throughout the district. “This represents more than location, it represents interest in the Hispanic community,” he said. “We feel people are interested in Hispanic ministry in this district.”

The Rev. Cruz Edwin Santos, the Florida Conference Council on Ministries’ director of Hispanic Ministries, said he is excited about the church and its potential for leadership in the district. “I hope this is the beginning of more work among Hispanics in the district, especially with the area’s rapid growth and high concentration of Hispanic people.”

The church began as a mission at First United Methodist Church, Seminole, in 1989 and had an average attendance of about 12 people each week, according to Exposito. Today, it has an average Sunday attendance of 86 people, half of whom are children and youth. The church includes 12 different nationalities, including Puerto Rican, Cuban, Mexican, Salvadoran, Honduran and Nicaraguan.

A group of youth provides musical leadership to the worship service, which Exposito describes as contemporary. The musical styles include Latin and rap.

The church’s growth has come from the congregation’s focus on its work in and with the community. Exposito said the church has as many as 30 visitors each week from the community to its various ministries, including English classes; job training; assistance with immigration, income tax, translation and medical service; and food and clothing distribution. Church members are developing a ministry that will offer affordable day care to area families.

Members are also working at revitalizing the church buildings and parsonage. “We’re doing a lot of repairs on the building, but it really is a blessing,” Exposito said.

The High Point area has as many as 22,000 Hispanic residents and is growing, according to Exposito. The availability of work and the climate are attracting many Hispanics from northern cities, he said.

Santos said High Point is not the fastest-growing area in terms of Hispanics, but he is pleased that the district and conference are serious about supporting this and future ministries.