Born in Colombia with some Brazilian background, Diana Fajardo was raised Roman Catholic and knew her options in serving God were limited.
“Since I was 12 years old, I felt called to service,” she said. “It was a deep frustration for me, because I am not cut out to be a nun.”
After immigrating to Florida 32 years ago, she found a home at the Episcopal Church.
“I was shocked and surprised to see a woman in leadership,” she recalled. “I thought, ‘Wow, this is actually possible.’”
Later becoming a Lutheran, she began her candidacy for ministry in Fort Lauderdale.
“I was the only woman of color, an immigrant with an accent,” Fajardo said.
This is the second of a four-part series on fellowships given to three church planters by New Church Development.
When her husband, Omar Vila, got the call to become the pastor of Iglesia Luterana San Andres in Omaha, she followed him to Nebraska, and was soon hired as youth director of Omaha Hanscom Park UMC and realized The United Methodist Church was where she found her calling.
“Everything has been a journey of learning and growth,” she said. “Learning the basics, new theology.”
A former journalist, Fajardo said the denomination was what she was looking for.
“What really opened my heart to receive the Methodist church was the openness of the theology, the freedom of expression,” she said. “Those things are really key for an immigrant to do the work of faith and walk the journey of faith.”
As she begins work on her master’s of divinity degree from Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology, Fajardo is embarking on the possibilities of developing a new church for immigrants such as herself in south Omaha.
Rev. Dr. Gerald Liu, emerging faith communities cultivator, said Fajardo was recommended by Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede, Eastern Nebraska District superintendent.
“In greater Omaha, there is tremendous opportunity to plant quote-unquote Hispanic or Latinx ministries,” Liu said. “I felt like these recommendations were promising.”
Liu said the new faith community could have the same success as Omaha Iglesias Communitaria, which doubled its attendance and its giving in the first year.
“I think we can have at least one more, maybe two more worshipping communities who are serving the Hispanic/Latinx people of greater Omaha,” he said.
Liu said as an exercise, he gave Fajardo the assignment of talking to 10 strangers, five local employers and five people at random. She went to a local meatpacking plant and, when management found out she spoke fluent Spanish, was put into use as a translator and turned the opportunity into an on-site chaplaincy.
Working at Hanscom Park, Fajardo said, gave her the space for exploration and to learn about differences in denominations that she can pass along to others who are in her shoes.
“I know the church, and I could have those types of conversations. I know how it can be searching for something different and not finding options,” she said. “The healing aspect of the Gospel and all the healing ministries that Jesus represents. To be able to take a decision of faith. If I’m going to choose Christianity, I’m going to need a good base. And this is what these families need.”
For two years, Fajardo has conducted house meetings that are a combination of discussions, scripture and healthy concepts, including yoga and nutrition. It has drawn immigrants from Mexico, El Salvador, Venezuela and Brazil.
“The figure of the table is really important to me in the way I share with the community,” said Fajardo, who frequently cooks for the group. “Jesus Christ was trying to figure out the way of spending his last time with his loved ones, and he gathered them at the table, and that’s a great way to celebrate faith and getting to know each other.”
Fajardo said she is enjoying the time of discernment before officially beginning a new church.
“I am a fan of the Old Testament, so when I began discerning all this I kept thinking of Exodus,” she said.
“The reason why they took 40 years was that it was a time to prepare for freedom. When you emigrate, you are setting yourself free and finding new opportunities.”
Fajardo said she has a location set in south Omaha for the services that she hopes to start in September but cannot disclose it.
“I am excited,” she said. “This journey is new, and I love that. The transformation process never stops, and God never stops shaping you into different forms to face different journeys. You have to be open to explore them as you enter new assignments."
Contact David Burke, content specialist, at [email protected].