Planting and Harvesting in Cleveland

Pastor Jose Reyes

Bearing fruit on all fronts, FM pastor José Reyes of Nueva Vida Cleveland (OH) also runs an insurance agency and has planted three other Hispanic FM churches in Ohio: Nueva Vida Lorain, Nueva Vida Toledo and Nueva Vida Bainsville (just opened this September).

Despite hearing God’s clear calling to full-time ministry, Reyes also repeatedly hears fellow business leaders in Cleveland begging him not to quit. (Not to mention the fact that a number of Nueva Vida families initially came to church because they’d met Reyes through his agency.) The decision about full-time ministry that Reyes says he needs to make just got more complicated: Nueva Vida Cleveland has just completed a new building — with a 400-seat sanctuary — and more visitors than ever are coming through its doors.

One reason for the influx is Reyes’ plant and harvest strategy — one that involves the entire congregation. He’s divided them into four teams: The first group concentrates on inviting people to church, giving them information about the ministries offered, etc. The second group follows up with visitors; the third is in the church’s education and discipleship process; the fourth is being developed into leaders. Everyone in the church is involved in one or more of the teams at a given time.

Nueva Vida Cleveland also holds large community events like its Christian festival for the Hispanic community in September. Rides, games and food are served up in the church parking lot, and with city permission, the adjoining street gets closed off to make it a real block party. Invitations are extended through ads in the largest local Hispanic newspaper and letters mailed to many. The potential is great: Reyes estimates there are approximately 80,000 Hispanics in the greater Cleveland area.

Another reason this FM church is thriving and growing: “We tell people about Jesus,” says Reyes. “Our people talk about church and Jesus wherever they go.” This Great Commission mind-set is winning hearts so that, more than ever, “nueva vida” means “new life.”