First Baptist Hispanic

Carlos and Maribell Pantin have been sharing the love of Christ with their community for over 12 years and are excited about the opportunity to begin a church for the Hispanic people in their community. The Pantins are currently having Bible study every Wednesday in their apartment complex and in the fall will be moving their group to First Baptist Hapeville where they will begin having services.

Carlos has a burden to share Christ with his Hispanic community, approximately 95% of whom are professing Catholics. In Mexico, where many of the Hispanics in Carlos’ community are from, Catholicism has a very strong hold on the people. The people have been told that if they change religions they will go to hell, so many believe this lie and many other lies that were taught to them through the Catholic church in Mexico. Carlos wants to show his community the truths about who Jesus is and His love for them.

The Pantins have a great harvest field before them, but are hoping God will send workers to join them in reaching out to their community through one-on-one evangelism.

Carlos Pantin

Carlos Pantin grew up in Mexico and, like many Mexicans, was a professing Catholic, although he had never even been to church. In 1996, Carlos and his wife, Maribell, were on the brink of divorce when Carlos decided to call out to God for help. God answered, their marriage was saved, and Carlos accepted Christ as his personal Savior.

After moving to Atlanta, Carlos was surprised when his wife, who was a well educated career woman, told him she felt like God wanted her to become a clown. She explained that God could use them to reach their community through her clown performances. So in 1999, Carlos and Maribell began working with their community, sharing the gospel, and encouraging the kids to stay away from drugs and gangs.

From 2002 – 2004, Carlos attended a Bible institute, while he and his wife continued praying for and working with adults and children in their community. In 2010, Carlos’ pastor asked him to consider becoming a pastor. Carlos prayed about it and felt like that was what God wanted him to do so he said yes, not knowing if his pastor had a particular location in mind. When he told his pastor that his answer was yes, his pastor told him that there was a need for a Hispanic church in south Atlanta, in the area where Carlos and his wife were already living. Carlos and Maribell have been living in that area since 1999 and have been praying for it ever since, not knowing God would one day have them plant a church there.

Contact Info:

Carlos Pantin, First Baptist Hispanic (final name TBD)

Church meeting location: Hapeville First Baptist Church, 612 College Street, Hapeville, GA 30354-1716

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