NEW CHURCH DEVELOPMENT

A ministry called to reach out to the Latino Community in the Mid-Peninsula for Christ, and bring them to maturity so that they may in turn minister to one another and be a vibrant witness for Christ in their own community.

Started as a home bible study, then moved into First Presbyterian Church San Mateo. In 1993 became Latinos Unidos en Cristo, in partnership with five local churches.

Rev. Daniel Beteta was called as an associate Pastor for Latinos Unidos en Cristo at the end of 2000. On April 1, 2002, the Presbytery of San Francisco gave Latinos Unidos en Cristo the privilege to begin a New Church Development, which was an exciting time and an opportunity to start its own identity and ministry. Today, Latinos Unidos en Cristo is a congregation of approximately 160 people.

Latinos Unidos en Cristo is a ministry thatcelebrates life, marriage, youth and children. They teach them to experience God's love in their everyday lives and enjoy the transformation of their families and community.

Who We Are?

Latinos Unidos en Cristo is a Spanish speaking congregation, with members from many parts of Latin America, who have come to this country with a better opportunity to succeed, work harder, and sometimes escape their own country in crisis. Our mission is to reach out to all of our people, build relationships, friendships, so they can understand Christ’s love, and with time, interest them in becoming part of our congregation to fulfill their talents and gifts towards the work of God.

As a congregation, we know and have experienced the need of belonging to a new country and the difficulty of learning a new language, and this is why we are committed with the need of the Hispanic Community in the bay area. We have a ministry of compassion, distributing basic food bags to more than 150 families twice a month. We believe this is a good way of showing what a Christian community is all about, helping our neighbors in their desperate need.

We are a congregation that’s concerned about families, especially youth and children. Our weekly program includes games, bible studies, community activities, Christian concerts and sports activities. We believe this is an opportunity for families, young people and kids to stay away from the violence and the peer pressure they must endure in their neighborhoods and schools. Our children’s programs is a very special one, it involves puppet shows, songs, biblical stories, and committed Sunday school teachers, volunteers who have this greater vision of guiding these little ones believing in the seed that’s planed in their hearts from a young age.

We’re working with our Centro de Rescate a la Familia (Family Rescue Center) which will focus on helping people as it was registered as a Non-profit organization earlier this year. We know the Lord has given us this part of the bay area, to share his word and love with anyone who opens a door, through friendships, compassion, food programs, music programs and puppets. We are here to make a difference.

Our ministry plan involves our mission, which is to reach out to the Latino community of the Mid-Peninsula for Christ, with lives transformed with the power of the Holy Spirit. Our purpose is for the church to be a guidance and motivation for everyone to get involved in the ministry, using their gifts and abilities. Our church has to present itself to people verbally, individually and collectively, presenting Christ as their personal Savior, inviting them to the blessing of the church in San Mateo.

Our goals are:

• Invite new people to church.
• Establish new home cell groups.
• Equip and train new leaders.
• Train our Lay Pastors, understanding their own gifts and talents.
• Work closely with our youth and children.


Our strongest outreach program during the year is Christmas with the Barrio, Adopt a Family; we get the biggest support from First Presbyterian Church in Burlingame where gifts and toys are donated and given to more than 100 needy families.