As we continue our 150th anniversary spotlight on church plants, we are taking a more extensive look at some of our planters and their families.

In October, we’re grateful to share about Michael & Gaby Galeano and Gracia Sobre Gracia, which they planted out of Bethlehem in 2018, in Sunrise, Florida.

_{Michael & Gaby, Priscilla (6), and Sebastian (2)}

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.

I have been married to my wife, Gaby, for 11 years, and we have two children, Priscilla (6) and Sebastian (2). My wife is from Guatemala, and I was born in Colombia. 

When did you first feel God’s call on your life toward church planting?

I was living in South Florida when I met Gaby in 2004. Since then we both were burdened for the lack of gospel-centered churches, especially for our Hispanic community, so we started praying that God would work and raise up churches to preach the Word. That’s when I started talking to my pastors about it, seeking their guidance and support, and praying with Gaby. Eventually, in 2012, when we had been married for two years, we moved to Minneapolis to start my Masters in Divinity at  Bethlehem College & Seminary so that I could be trained for the call to plant.

What has been going well?

It's been amazing to see women and men of all ages growing in their desire to treasure and study God’s word. Also, God has been unifying our church as we grow in our understanding that church is a community that seeks to live for the glory of God as we together encourage, admonish, and counsel one another in Christ’s love. 

Share a passage of Scripture that has been particularly motivating or encouraging to you in regard to your church planting work.

Recently, I have been meditating in 2 Corinthians, and I noticed the apostle Paul’s passion to do ministry with the fear of the Lord instead of fearing men (2 Corinthians 5:11). I am praying that God gives me a greater sense of his presence and fear for him instead of fearing people. 

Is there a testimony of someone in your church plant coming to Christ that you could summarize in your own words?

I had been praying for a specific young man, and God opened the door for us to allow his company to use our building for training. Eventually this opened a conversation about the gospel. He realized he needed Jesus, and he repented and professed faith in Christ. Now I am discipling him and teaching him how to study the Bible. 

How can Bethlehem be praying for you?

Please pray that God would continue to raise up men and women who love the Lord and his word, who live it, and who share it with those around them. Pray for each one of us in Gracia Sobre Gracia (Grace Upon Grace) to grow in being humble and teachable people with a deep desire for Jesus.

Send a note of encouragement to the Galeanos.

Thank you, Michael & Gaby, for your willingness to share more about your church plant as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Bethlehem Baptist Church!