By Brian Zanzonico
Sanchez, new pastor of the Wesley Methodist Church in Franklin Square, believes in God, who he said he looks to for motivation and inspiration.
Two months into his role as spiritual leader of Wesley Methodist, Sanchez, 35, has an eye to the future of the ? year-old church while still mindful of the past. As a celebrant, he advocates "blended worship" at a service, which melds traditional hymns with contemporary gospel. As at home with a guitar as he is leading a service, Sanchez, the self-proclaimed Rockin' Rev, said "blended worship" is one of several ways he is hoping to marry tradition and the modern world.
Born in Brooklyn, Sanchez moved to Puerto Rico in 1982. He received his bachelor's degree in social work, and even taught acting for a time, before finding his calling in the church, he said. He attended the Seminario Evangelico de Puerto Rico (Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico) and earned a master's degree in ? But he always dreamed of returning to the United States to become a pastor, and to pursue a doctorate in Hispanic Ministries and Church Development. Earlier this year, he requested a transfer to the United States from the Methodist Conference of Puerto Rico.
In June, at the New York Annual Conference (NYAC) of the Methodist Church, clergy met for four days to discuss new appointments in some of the 500 Methodist churches throughout New York and Connecticut, according to NYAC spokesman Don Collier. On June 10, 74 new appointments were made in the Long Island East District of the NYAC, which stretches from Franklin Square to Riverhead.
"The United Methodist Church is what we call a 'connectional church,'" Collier said, explaining how the NYAC learned of Sanchez's interest in coming to the U.S. "The needs of each church and its availability are considered and pastors make the assignment."
Dr. Jaewon Kim, then pastor of Wesley Methodist in Franklin Square, was reassigned to the Catskills. Sanchez was appointed to split his time between Wesley Methodist and the Queens Hispanic Methodist Church in Jamaica - three-quarters of the time in Franklin Square, and the rest of the time in Queens.
"I prayed for the opportunity," Sanchez said in an interview in his church office. "Then the Conference of New York called. The door opened and I went right through it. I finally got an opportunity."
Shortly after the Conference convened, Sanchez moved with wife, Ivette Candelario, and children, Jelixa, 13, and Abdie, 8, into the house next door to Wesley Methodist. Jelixa and Abdie have adjusted well to their new surroundings, and school, Sanchez said.
"In Puerto Rico, they watched TV in English," he said. "I told them, you listen to Spanish at school everyday. Come home and learn English. They did, and it has worked out well."
Since his arrival, he has often lead his services with a guitar in hand. Soon, he hopes to integrate a full band. "They haven't had that experience yet," he said of congregants. " I can't wait."
Sanchez also plans to start an Hispanic ministry at the church. Since his name has been posted as pastor on a board outside the building, Sanchez said he has repeatedly been approached by local Hispanic residents interested in becoming members.
"I've seen so much growth in the Hispanic community around us," he said. "People love to worship in their own way. I want them to have a place here in Franklin Square, a place where they can worship in their own language."
Sanchez said newcomers to the country often come alone, and are in need of connectedness, whether it be human or spiritual. He said he hopes a new ministry can fill the void felt by Hispanic immigrants who left everything behind to start a life in the U.S.
"It would be hypocritical of me to forget where I came from and forget the needs of the Hispanic community we have here," he said. "Most [of them] work where most people don't want to. They leave their relationship with God and get depressed. They live without hope and I think the only thing that helps is to have something to hang onto. An extended family. the church."
Sanchez has scheduled a meeting on Friday, Sept. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the church, 619 Fenworth Blvd., to discuss the Hispanic ministry, and has reached out to the Hispanic community to attend.
The church will officially celebrate Sanchez's arrival at a worship service and picnic on Sunday, Sept. 10 at 11 a.m. Given the increase in attendance at Sunday service since June, longtime Wesley Methodist administrative assistant, Linda Renzo, said she expects a large turnout.
The sanctuary does not have air conditioning, and in the summer service attendance typically dwindles to little more than a dozen. But since Sanchez took over, there are routinely 40 to 50 people in the pews, Renzo said.
"He's young, enthusiastic and has a lot of energy and ideas," said Renzo, who is also a 40-year congregant. "I see a renewed spirit around here."
Comments about this story? FSeditor@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 240.
