Members from several Detroit-area Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist churches recently joined together in community outreach through a Health Expo held at the Kemeny Recreation Center in Detroit on April 19, 2026.
Hosted by the Shalom-Detroit Seventh-day Adventist Church, the event brought together volunteers from the Cavalry and Ann Arbor Spanish churches, along with support from additional community organizations that partnered in serving residents. The outreach focused on building meaningful connections with families and individuals in the neighborhood while providing practical resources and health-focused services.
The event is part of the VIVE+ initiative—a broader evangelistic strategy led by Hispanic churches across Michigan to make a meaningful impact throughout the state during 2026–2027. The Detroit area has been identified as the first focus of this coordinated effort, combining community service and evangelism to reach new audiences.
In the weeks leading up to the April 19 event, several Health Expos had already taken place as part of this initiative. On March 29, three separate events were held simultaneously at the Ann Arbor Hispanic Church, the Mexicantown Welcome Center in Detroit, and the Pontiac church, with multiple congregations collaborating in each location. These efforts laid the foundation for continued outreach across the region.
The Kemeny Recreation Center proved to be a strategic location for the Shalom-Detroit Church’s outreach. A well-known facility in the community and located near the church, it offered a more accessible and visible setting for connecting with residents. Church leaders noted that this was their first time hosting a Health Expo at the center and described it as an effective way to engage the surrounding community in a meaningful way.
Originally, the Shalom congregation had planned a smaller health-focused event at the church. However, that vision quickly expanded. In just three weeks, God provided the necessary resources, funding, and connections to transform the plan into a full-scale Health Expo aligned with the broader VIVE+ strategy. The result was a well-coordinated outreach that reflected both preparation and providence.
Throughout the day, volunteers connected with residents, community representatives, and families who stopped by the event. Beyond the services offered, the outreach created opportunities for conversation, relationship-building, and spiritual connection that organizers hope will continue to grow in the coming weeks.
The Health Expo also serves as a bridge into a larger evangelistic emphasis taking place across the Detroit area this spring. Beginning Saturday, May 2, and continuing through Saturday, May 9, five Hispanic congregations in the area will participate in a coordinated evangelistic campaign. The participating churches include Ann Arbor Spanish, Shalom-Detroit, Cavalry, Ebenezer, and Pontiac Seventh-day Adventist churches.
As part of this initiative, pastors from the Michigan Conference’s District 3 will travel throughout the region to preach simultaneously in these congregations, demonstrating a united commitment to mission and collaboration.
Leaders believe this combination of community service and evangelism reflects Christ’s model of ministry where He met practical needs while also sharing the hope of the gospel. Events like the Health Expo are designed to create bridges with the community and open doors for ongoing spiritual conversations and relationships.
The week of meetings will conclude with a special joint worship program on Saturday, May 9, at 5:00 p.m. at the Oakwood Seventh-day Adventist Church in Taylor. Members from all five congregations will gather for a closing celebration of thanksgiving and recommitment to mission.
As the VIVE+ initiative continues to unfold, these churches are united in their purpose to build relationships, serve their communities, and share the love of Christ in practical and lasting ways.
Daniele Spinosa serve as pastor of the Ann Arbor Spanish church and the Detroit Shalom Spanish Company.
