DATE: Friday, May 9, 1997                   TAG: 9705070187

SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 16   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY SCOTT MCCASKEY, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   45 lines

CHURCH HOLDING SPANISH BIBLE STUDIES

Chesapeake residents of Hispanic origin who want to learn the Bible in their native language now have a program to turn to. Great Bridge Church of God Pentecostal ministry offers Bible study classes in Spanish and English.

Pastor Randy J. Wooden started the program about two months ago.

``There are between 1,000 and 1,500 Hispanics living in Chesapeake, and we're trying to open the door to them,'' said Wooden, a Chesapeake resident. ``Right now, there's not a whole lot of Hispanic participation in Chesapeake churches.''

The free-to-the-public Bible classes are held from 7 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday night in the church at 1280 Bells Mill Road. Instruction features discussions about selected stories from scripture, followed by prayer. So far, the sessions have drawn from five to 15 people per class, Wooden said.

``We've started slow, but steady,'' Wooden said. ``We're trying to get the word out about this program.''

The classes in Spanish are taught by Jose A. Soler, a native Puerto Rican who lives with his wife, Elba, in Virginia Beach. The couple came to the area in 1995 and joined the Virginia Beach Church of God, a Pentecostal ministry with about 75 Hispanic members. Under the direction of Associate Pastor Benito Fonseca, also from Puerto Rico, the Solers began teaching Spanish Bible classes in that church.

``Pastor Fonseca wanted to initiate a Spanish Bible program in another church,'' said Jose Soler, 46. ``He contacted Pastor Wooden, who loved the idea.''

Fonseca established a similar study at the Kempsville Church of God in April, where Jose Soler also is the instructor. A truck driver by trade, Jose is a devout Christian and says he is never too busy to spread God's word.

``We use only the Bible in the discussions,'' Soler said. ``You only need to hear the word of the Lord to learn from the Lord.''

Soler said he feels the Bible classes may be the start of bigger things in the future. He has hopes of becoming a pastor and opening his own Hispanic church in the area.

``I want to take the word of God to my people,'' he said. ``If it is God's will, I will one day become a pastor.'' MEMO: For more information, call the Great Bridge Church of God at

547-7790.

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