Spanish-Language Branch Formed
Springfield Illinois Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Forms Spanish-Speaking Congregation in Decatur, Illinois
Decatur, IL – The Springfield Illinois Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is excited to announce the formation of a new Spanish-speaking congregation in Decatur, Illinois. This unique congregation will provide Hispanic families from communities across central Illinois with the opportunity to gather to worship and participate in church activities in their native language, fostering deeper spiritual connections and a sense of belonging.
The new congregation, officially known as the Decatur 3rd Branch (Spanish), is part of the Church’s ongoing commitment to serve and support diverse communities. Weekly services and activities will be conducted entirely in Spanish, offering an inclusive environment where individuals and families can worship, learn, and build meaningful relationships.
“With a growing number of Hispanics in central Illinois we are pleased that we got approval to form this new congregation that will allow them to worship our savior Jesus Christ in their native language,” said Robert Martinez, the Springfield Illinois Stake President. “We believe worshiping in your native language allows for a more personal and meaningful connection with God and with fellow members of the congregation.”
In addition to Sunday services, the branch will offer programs for children, youth, and adults, including gospel study classes, service opportunities, and cultural celebrations. The Decatur Spanish-language branch is part of a broader effort by the Church to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse membership. Across the globe, the Church organizes congregations based on language and community needs to help members grow spiritually while connecting with others who share similar cultural backgrounds.
The first meeting and formation of the Decatur Spanish-language branch took place on Sunday, January 19th. The entirely lay volunteer clergy were organized and include: Mark Hughes from Decatur as the branch president, Dodanin Cruz from Jacksonville as his first counselor, and Gonzalo Ayoroa from Springfield as the second counselor. Other leaders in the branch include Gregoria Del Villar Cruz, Giovanni Rivas, Carlos Galdamez, and Santiago Castillo.
All are welcome to attend and experience this unique worship opportunity. This is the second new congregation recently organized by the Springfield Illinois Stake that is intended to reach a unique group of people. In December the Stake organized a Young Single Adults Branch in Springfield intended to allow single young adults ages 18 - 35 a place to come together and build friendships with other young adults while worshipping our Savior Jesus Christ.
For more information about the Decatur 3rd Branch (Spanish) or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please contact David Risley at 217-361-6758.
About The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is to help all of God’s children come to Jesus Christ3 through learning about His gospel, making and keeping promises with God (covenants), and practicing Christlike love and service.4
Members of the Church believe in helping individuals and families fulfill the commandments to love God and to love your neighbor.5 Members do so by living the gospel of Jesus Christ,6 caring for those in need,7 inviting all to receive the gospel,8 and uniting families through family history and temple work.9
With over 17 million members worldwide, approximately 3.3 million members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are native Spanish speakers, making Spanish the second-largest language group within the Church.