LA VERGNE, Tenn. (BP) — Worshipers sang “Santo por siempre,” translated “Holy forever,” as Worship Pastor Javier Chirinos led praise Aug. 17 during the 11:30 a.m. Spanish language service at La Vergne Community Church. Non-Spanish speakers joined in, aided by the Polyglossia app.

A couple of hours earlier, about 70 English language worshipers convened in the same sanctuary, singing praises also led by Chirinos.

The Haitian congregation of Redemption Church, led by Pastor Jean Leveque, completed its worship service in a building on the church campus just moments earlier, having convened at 9:30 a.m. The Holy Trinity Anglican Church, a Nigerian congregation led by Pastor Samuel Igwe, met at 2 p.m. on La Vergne’s campus, followed that evening by the Arabic Family Baptist Church, led by Pastor Nathan Awad.

La Vergne Community Church Senior Pastor Nathan Velasquez embraces the churches as partners in ministry, holding various joint activities and joint worship services throughout the year.

“The church should reflect the beauty of heaven, where every nation, tribe and language worships together before the throne of God,” Velasquez told Baptist Press. “We believe in practicing heaven on earth by fostering unity, love and shared purpose.” 

Velasquez met Pastors Leveque, Igwe and Awad through his work with the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board and learned they needed a space to worship. Previously, they met in homes or rented spaces.

“Since God has blessed us with a facility, it’s our joy and responsibility to steward it for the growth of His kingdom, welcoming and empowering all who come,” Velasquez said. “Since they have been here, they have been growing.”

Awad, who first met Velasquez in 2016, appreciates the partnership, he told Baptist Press.

“He already knew that our congregation had been meeting in our home, where we had converted our three-car garage into a sanctuary,” Awad said. “Pastor Nathan recognized that joining Community Church would provide a greater opportunity for our ministry to grow, and he was right.”

The Arab Family Baptist Church has doubled in size since it began meeting at the church in 2023.

La Vergne Community Church “has been supportive in every way,” Awad said, “and we truly feel that we are one family in Christ. For us, this partnership is a glimpse of heaven and the glory we will share for eternity.”

Velasquez counts about 50 baptisms this year among the churches. English as a Second Language classes, a music academy, karate lessons and soccer training enrich the partnerships and help develop cross-cultural relationships and disciple the next generation. The second weekend in August, both the Anglican and Arabic congregations held revivals, beginning as early as Wednesday when the host church holds Bible study.

“That means that most of the week we were using the facility, because if it’s not them, it’s us. If it’s not us, it’s them. But all the time, it’s people coming and going,” he said. “Financially, God has sustained us. We are meeting our budget, supporting our teams, and continuing to serve the community with joy and generosity.”

La Vergne Community church also hosts community events for the local police and fire departments, which Velasquez appreciates as a picture of the unity God creates.

Officially First Baptist Church of La Vergne does business as La Vergne Community Church. Velasquez celebrates the various nationalities in the congregations, displaying in his office in addition to the U.S. flag 21 others showcasing nations represented by at least one family among the congregations, including Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, the Philippines, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.

Chirinos finds joy in his ministry. Among numerous Spanish language worship songs, he includes at least two English language praise songs during the Spanish service, encouraging worshipers to learn and practice English.

“Serving in the church is a true privilege,” Chirinos told Baptist Press. “I deeply enjoy using the gifts and talents God has placed in me to serve with passion, especially through music. What I value most is being part of an authentic and Christ-centered community, one that is united, sincere, and where language is never a barrier to love, serve and worship together. That kind of unity reflects what the church truly is.”

Chirinos, a bilingual professional musician from Spain, is serving at La Vergne Community on an EB-1 talent visa that will need to be renewed in late 2026.

“Knowing that God can use my talent to bless not just one language (group), but He can use it to bless everybody,” Chirinos said, “is something so special that I just am grateful to God.”

Chirinos offers music lessons through PraiseSync Solutions, a partnership that La Vergne Community founded a year ago, serving students and adults in the surrounding area. Five churches have sent members to the school to learn worship music and help their worship bands improve, Chirinos said.

He sees Christ’s unity in his immediate family, he himself of Venezuelan and Spanish descent, his wife Ana of Argentinian descent, and the two of them with a budding family of two children born in Spain.

“If my visa is not renewed, I would return to Spain with my family,” Chirinos told Baptist Press. “While my desire is to continue serving here, I fully trust what Scripture says, that the will of the Lord is good, pleasing and perfect. There is no safer place to be than in His perfect will. I truly believe that God is in control, and I will keep serving Him wherever He leads.”

(EDITOR’S NOTE — Diana Chandler is Baptist Press’ senior writer.)