Ministers combine talents at 21st Street Church of Christ

Lupe Naceanceno, left, Larry Tittle, center, and Scott Rektenwald minister at 21st Street Church of Christ. (CNJ staff photo: Andy DeLisle)

Three ministers. One mission.

The 21st Street Church of Christ is taking a new approach to pastoring by utilizing the unique skills of three ministers instead of relying on one, according to minister Larry Tittle.

Tittle, the newest member of the ministerial team, joined the staff approximately a month ago. Tittle, who has served as a minister for more than 30 years, previously ministered at a church in Lovington.

“Each of us has a separate ministry,” Tittle said.

Tittle delivers the Sunday morning sermon to 310 churchgoers.

“I am working to instill (in the congregation) a desire to serve, be active and be an effective part of the church,” he said. “We are striving to become an arm of God in the community.”

Minister Lupe Naceanceno, who joined 21st Street Church of Christ in June, serves the Hispanic congregation. The bilingual minister said he delivers a Spanish sermon on Sunday nights to an audience of 20.

“I have the heart and vision to reach out to Hispanics,” Naceanceno said, “which is a large population in Clovis.”

Naceanceno also conducts home Bible studies and assists at the Matt 25 Hope Center.

“I give listings of jobs, food and clothing to those in need,” he said, “and invitations to church because my first concern is spiritual.”

Scott Rektenwald, the youngest of the three, ministers to the youth of the congregation. The recent graduate of Lubbock Christian University is in charge of the spiritual growth of 40 teenagers. He said his latest project is challenging each teenage church member to bring a friend to church.

“I want to keep the youth of the church strong and growing,” he said.

The three ministers said the combined ministry has been going well and the congregation has been open and supportive of the changes.

Tittle said the church has seen a rise in attendance, conversions and baptisms.

“We work together very well,” he said. “Our goal is to do what Jesus wants us to do.”