The Collegedale Hispanic-American SDA Church “SuCasa” is expanding to make room for more members.
The growth of SuCasa in the past few years can be attributed to the programs aimed at cultivating an active family environment that values reaching students.
Church member Martha Calderon has dedicated her time to creating a niche for students by organizing an “adoption” ceremony, and said “it has become a whole-hearted part of my life; it fulfills me.”
Through the creation of informative cards that include the name, class and major of participating students, she found several member families who were willing to “adopt” a student for home vespers, meals and to spend time and connect more deeply.
The results have been positive after the first of the annual adoption ceremonies occurred three years ago, complete with signed certificates, photos, and the official union of the family before witnesses. Pastor of SuCasa Joel Barrios said “just as a church near the coast of the sea is there to serve nearby fishermen and a church in the countryside serves local ranchers, a church near a university stands as a refuge of renewal for young people.”
These close relationships between the students and the members’ families have provided a sense of community and a home for students to turn to if they are feeling homesick.
“Having an adoptive family has helped my sister and I come out of our shell,” said Jhosselyn Vela, junior Nursing major. “We spend a lot of time with them and know we can go over to their house at any time if we feel the need to be surrounded by family.”
For students like Vela, these are connections made for life, and when addressing the impact of these family units.
She said, “My adoptive family has become a great part of my life, and I know they will be in my life forever no matter where my path takes me in the future.”
Parents and students alike have voiced their contentment with this program, and SuCasa has begun organizing trips to several churches in other states where the students recruit young people to Southern and promote SuCasa’s initiative.
Small changes have taken place in the programming that has allowed the students to actively participate as leaders and seek content in the programs over protocol. The only limitation to the church’s growth is now the lack of seats on Sabbath morning. The projection is that SuCasa will remain in the same place it is now but will undergo construction. In the meantime, SuCasa will meet at the Baptist Church on Highpoint Rd., with a bus transporting the students to church during the months of reconstruction.
Image credit: Joseph Hyde