Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Hispanic mission plans new facility in Gurdon

There will soon be a new way to worship in Gurdon  if you can speak the language.

Bro. Rudy Gutierrez, pastor of El Rey de Gloria Baptist mission, is not shy when it comes to talking about his churches in part because he has four including the new mission being formed in Gurdon.

Gutierrez, a church planter and pastor, said El Rey de Gloria mission (translated meaning The King of Glory) came about as the dream of one local Hispanic woman. For several years after moving to the Gurdon area, the woman and her family traveled each week to Hope to attend a church where Spanish was the primary language. The long drives were more than the family could afford in reality, but their commitment to their faith kept them going.

The woman eventually voiced her desire to start a Spanish mission in Gurdon, and thats where Gutierrez came in.

Gutierrez is no stranger to Hispanic community in Clark County and the surrounding areas as he already pastored Hispanic churches in Arkadelphia, Malvern and Bismarck.

Gutierrez got the mission off of the ground in Gurdon meeting in various places including Beech Street Baptist Church and the Faith Mission building near the post office, but the growing congregation that has grown from five to more than 50 people needed a bigger place to call home.

The mission found its new temporary home in the facilities of South Fork Baptist Church  the missions sponsor throughout the organization process.

Having its own facility remains a priority for the members of El Rey de Gloria, and they may soon have their wish.

The mission broke ground on a piece of property near the Gurdon city limits on Arkansas 53 south recently, and dirt work should begin soon, Gutierrez said. If the weather cooperates, the plan calls for the foundation to be poured before winter. If the weather does not hold, it could be spring before any major work is done.

The building process is not the only thing to be completed. Gutierrez said more funds and volunteer work are still needed to make the building a reality.

Many donations have been made from people and churches in the area, but he said some of the biggest contributions have come from out of state. Anyone wishing to make a donation towards the project should contact the Red River Baptist Association in Arkadelphia.

The first phase of the project will include a 180 seat sanctuary with a pastors office and bathrooms. A fellowship hall and education building will be built in the future, Gutierrez said.

Despite the missions main goal to minster Hispanics, Gutierrez said the mission is about more than that. My plan in Gurdon is to help minister to the Hispanic people here, he said. My focus is for the Hispanics, but my ministry is for everybody.