Columbia
Passion for Christ — youth style

By Marissa Cabrera
Adelante staff writer

Nearing the end of the church service, Pastor Obed Aguirre puts his guitar aside and reaches for the microphone. It’s time for the announcements, and the youth seated in the first row laugh among themselves.

EVAN WILDER/Adelante Obed Aguirre, pastor at Pueblo de Dios church during a February worship service of Latino congregations from accross Mid-Missouri.

That week, the Pueblo de Dios’s youth group would be going to see the movie “The Passion.” With all the attention the film had received, Omar Pereida, 16, and his brother Chava Morales, 13, were curious.
The youngsters invited two friends so that they would also learn more about the Bible seeing the movie. Omar said since his two friends saw the movie, both want to learn more about the Bible. The two have begun attending the youth group each Saturday.
“It was interesting… but there was a lot of blood,” Omar, a student at West Junior High School, said. “But now everyone can realize that Jesus Christ died for us.”
Now the two brothers, as well as other youth, are organizing a car wash to raise money for a camp in June.
These are the kinds of activities that attract young people and that Aguirre and his wife, Carla, are making a priority.
“It’s a hard battle we’re fighting for the youth,” Aguirre said. “It’s necessary to pay attention to them because they are the new generation.”
Sacred Heart Church has recognized this necessity as well.
“I don’t think we have been doing much with the children… the fact that they paint and study the Bible, I don’t think it’s enough,” Vázquez said. “Through the children come the adults.”
The church has begun to offer preparatory classes for receiving the sacraments of baptism and first communion. They are also encouraging the parishioners to participate in the choir, either by singing or playing a musical instrument, Vázquez said.
Omar and Chava were among the first youth to participate, and “little by little,” thanks in part to their efforts, the group has grown.