On May 6, 2023, the small South Texas town of Falfurrias hosted a centennial celebration Sabbath that gave its attendants a foretaste of the heavenly reunion we will have with our Lord.
From its humble beginnings in the home of Espiridion and Macedonia Lara, the congregation officiated its first Sabbath School in April 1923 at a ranch named El Laurel, just east of Falfurrias in a community called La Parrita. Upon hearing the gospel truth from Pastor Cunil, the couple received the Adventist message. Macedonia told Espiridion to literally throw all of her idols into the deepest part of the creek. Eventually all nine of their children would grow up to be baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Other families who accepted the Adventist faith also joined the believers. In 1946, members of the young Adventist congregation dedicated a church structure in La Copita (Southern Duval) on a half-acre tract donated by Jose Lara, son of Espiridion and Macedonia Lara. They worshiped for many years in this humble church until June 22, 1974, when the present-day church was built on land donated by Eva Adair.
Falfurrias Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church celebrated its centennial service with a congratulatory message from Elton DeMoraes, Texas Conference president. Also present with a special message for the congregation was Ismael Castillo, vice president for Hispanic Ministries and Spanish Evangelism in the Texas Conference. Local members and worshipers came from the Rio Grande Valley, Alice, the Corpus Christi area, the Dallas/Fort Worth area and even as far away as California to enjoy the celebration.
I intertwined the church’s historical narration with various testimonies from Eunice Requenez, Ernestina Cisneros, Ernestina Trevino, Erlin Garcia, James Frazer and (by video) Otoniel Reyes and Matiana Lara Basaldua, daughter of Espiridion and Macedonia Lara, who recounted significant memories and stories of days past. Joining me with special worship and praise music were Priscilla Luna, Cerena Castillo, Danielle Norris and Ana Luna from the Coastal Bend Area. Cuerdas de Alabanzas, a praise team from the Rio Grande Valley, also offered melody in worship.
The keynote speaker was David Montoya, executive secretary for the Texas Conference, whose first pastoral assignment in the conference was the Falfurrias Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church. His address kindled the hearts of all in attendance with an acronym in Spanish, using the word FALFURRIAS. F was for Fiel (faithful), A was for Altísimo (highest), L was for Luz (light), F was for Fortaleza (strength), U was for Único (unique), R was for Redentor (redeemer), R was for Rey (king), I was for Inmortal (immortal), A was for Amor (love), and S was for Santo (saint). He reminded the congregation that Falfurrias essentially means “land of the heart’s delight,” which is where the flower may have gotten its name. With these words, Pastor Montoya encouraged all to remain faithful until the soon coming of our Lord.
The celebration continued with a fabulous meal in the fellowship hall, where others continued to share their testimonies. Eunice Solis, the Flores/Colunga family, Lydia Montevilla, and Lina Lara (by phone) all expressed gratitude for the pioneers who were important pillars in the founding of the Falfurrias Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church. Most in attendance were either directly related to those forefathers or had a special connection to the founding of the church.
The day ended with many hugs, pictures and promises of reconnection. The church extends its appreciation to all who contributed to planning the centennial celebration as well as to those who selflessly prepared the food and assisted in serving and to the church members who will continue shining a light in the Falfurrias community.
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By Jaime Alanis, the pastor of the Edinburg Spanish North, Edinburg Spanish and Falfurrias Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Churches.
A version of this article appeared in the September/October 2023 issue of the Southwestern Union Record.
