El Paso - 40th Anniversary Article

El Paso Celebrates 40th AnniversaryThe El Paso, Texas, UCG congregation celebrated its 40th anniversary during services on the First Day of Unleavened Bread. Services were held for the first time on April 20, 1968, in Las Cruces, New Mexico. During the last 40 years the congregation swelled to as many as 230 members. In lean years services were held for as few as two members. At present 13 of us live in Texas and five of us live in New Mexico; and our congregation is growing. Of our 18 members, eight are longtime baptized members and five more were baptized less than five years ago. Orpha Wingfield, now age 98, has been a Church member for 55 years and was the first member baptized in the Las Cruces/El Paso area. Presently James Capó (pastor) and Walter Tannert make the trip from Tucson, Arizona, to serve the brethren here. In their absence, our deacon Brian Lee is always available to take care of our needs. We were encouraged to receive many congratulations and well wishes from members and ministers who have attended here over the years, which helped make our 40th anniversary extra special. — Connie Nipper and James Capó http://www.ucg.org/un/un0806/localupdates.htm#6