Earlier this year, three Spanish-speaking congregations in South Carolina took to heart Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton’s invitation to study the Small Catechism, thanks to the leadership of the Rev. Jorge Leone.
Initially, two congregations – Cristo Rey, also known as St. David’s, with locations in Gaston and Pelion – had never had access to Martin Luther’s Small Catechism. But Pastor Jorge’s leadership and resourcefulness resulted in copies of the Spanish/English version for every member, thanks in part to the South Carolina Synod staff. Most 
members were primarily Roman Catholic prior to joining Cristo Rey and had little to no knowledge about the Lutheran tradition.
“We are building a real Lutheran identity,” said Pastor Leone, who used the bilingual version of the Small Catechism with his congregations. “We talk about the content and teachings of the Small Catechism and other important concepts of our faith,” he said.
The two primarily Spanish-speaking congregations, serve nearly 180 members, of which about half are children and young adults.
“We were working during our classes and teaching moments with this little but powerful tool, but now they have their own copy,” he said. “That means, as they told me, they can read it as a family in their homes. One mother was telling to one of her children: ‘Now you will learn the prayers.’”
In addition to Cristo Rey, Pastor Leone gave a few Small Catechisms to Nuestro Salvador (Our Savior) in Greenville, S.C. for their classes. They, too, accepted Bishop Eaton’s invitation.
