12 Jan 2026, 22:24IM CommunicationsDublin, Ireland
Spanish Adventist Group in Dublin Celebrates Baptism and Continued Growth
The first Sabbath of the year, 3 January 2026, marked a new beginning for Jose Luis Canaza Condori. Surrounded by friends and church family at Ranelagh Seventh-day Adventist Church in Dublin, Jose Luis publicly committed his life to Christ through baptism. The service was conducted by Pastor Maicol Cortes, pastor of Drumcondra Seventh-day Adventist Church, and was a meaningful occasion for all who gathered to witness it.
A Journey of Faith Across Continents
Originally from Bolivia, Jose Luis first became familiar with the Seventh-day Adventist Church in his home country, where he occasionally attended services. His initial interest was sparked by the example of a young woman whose character and values made a lasting impression on him. “I thought, I also want to be a good person like her,” he recalls. Although that relationship did not work out, the desire to be baptised remained in his heart.
In 2019, Jose Luis moved to Ireland to study English. Before arriving, he searched online for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ireland and discovered Ranelagh Church. Through online services on YouTube and church projects shared on social media, he became familiar with the church’s mission and community. Once in Ireland, he began attending Ranelagh Church regularly.
Not long after, Jose Luis connected with a small Spanish-speaking Adventist group that initially met in members’ homes and later began gathering at Drumcondra Church on Sabbath afternoons. Reflecting on his decision to be baptised, Jose Luis shared: “I think the longer we delay surrendering to Jesus, the harder the surrender can be. I felt I needed to take that step. No matter how far we stray from Jesus, that doesn’t stop Him from rescuing us.”
Jose Luis currently works in a Mexican restaurant and sees his baptism as part of a wider mission. “I believe the most important mission for me is that the change I want to see in others has to begin with me,” he said. “That’s why I was baptised here, because I want many people to return to Christ.”
A Growing Spanish-Speaking Community
The Spanish-speaking Adventist Group in Dublin meets every Sabbath at 2:00 pm at Drumcondra Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is currently the only Adventist group in Ireland where the entire service is conducted in Spanish. Around 15 to 20 people attend regularly, representing six different countries.
The group began approximately three years ago, meeting in different homes as many members faced language barriers and found it difficult to fully engage in English-speaking services. Most of those involved had previously served as leaders in their churches in their home countries.
“It’s a very warm group, and visitors often tell us they feel at home from the first day,” explained Pastor Maicol Cortes. Originally from Chile, Pastor Cortes serves as the pastor of Drumcondra Seventh-day Adventist Church and also provides pastoral support to the Spanish-speaking group. Reflecting on its purpose, he added, “I feel that our group can have a really great impact on people who move to this country and don’t speak English yet.”
Leadership and Vision
Ana Connor, originally from Honduras, was actively involved in the Adventist Church before moving to Ireland. She is the leader of the Spanish-speaking group and brings a deep passion for ministry and community. While attending Drumcondra Church, Ana noticed that many Spanish-speaking members felt welcomed but still struggled due to the language barrier. She experienced this challenge herself.
Together with five friends, Ana decided to form a small group where they could worship, study the Bible, and support one another in Spanish. As the group grew and more Spanish-speaking Adventists connected, the need for a more permanent meeting space became clear. With the support of Drumcondra Church leadership, the group began meeting in the church building in April 2025.
“Our mission is to share the Word of God and create a space of love, friendship, and support where each person can feel welcome, accompanied, and strengthened in their faith,” Ana said.
Speaking about Jose Luis’ baptism, she added, “For me, it’s very significant. He has been with our group from the beginning and has always been very active, bringing friends and participating in activities. I’m so happy to know our group supported him, and it’s amazing to see how involved he is in the Adventist Church.”
Ana recalls many moving moments from the group’s journey, including saying goodbye to someone who was not yet baptised but attended the group’s meetings every week. “He was already part of our group, and it was very emotional to say goodbye after several months in Ireland. He told us, ‘Thank you so much. You are the family I have in Ireland,’” she shared. “That’s when you realise how important this community is.”
Want to Learn More?
The Spanish-speaking Adventist Group continues to grow and warmly welcomes anyone interested in worship, fellowship, and spiritual growth in Spanish.
Meeting time: Saturdays at 2:00 pm
Location: Drumcondra Seventh-day Adventist Church
157 Richmond Road, Drumcondra, Dublin
Contact:
Pastor Maicol Cortes – maicol@adventist.ie
You can also follow the group on Instagram:
@iglesia_adventista_hispana_irl
Adventistas Hispanohablantes en Dublin
The first Sabbath of the year, 3 January 2026, marked a new beginning for Jose Luis Canaza Condori. Surrounded by friends and church family at Ranelagh Seventh-day Adventist Church in Dublin, Jose Luis publicly committed his life to Christ through baptism. The service was conducted by Pastor Maicol Cortes, pastor of Drumcondra Seventh-day Adventist Church, and was a meaningful occasion for all who gathered to witness it.
A Journey of Faith Across Continents
Originally from Bolivia, Jose Luis first became familiar with the Seventh-day Adventist Church in his home country, where he occasionally attended services. His initial interest was sparked by the example of a young woman whose character and values made a lasting impression on him. “I thought, I also want to be a good person like her,” he recalls. Although that relationship did not work out, the desire to be baptised remained in his heart.
In 2019, Jose Luis moved to Ireland to study English. Before arriving, he searched online for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ireland and discovered Ranelagh Church. Through online services on YouTube and church projects shared on social media, he became familiar with the church’s mission and community. Once in Ireland, he began attending Ranelagh Church regularly.
Not long after, Jose Luis connected with a small Spanish-speaking Adventist group that initially met in members’ homes and later began gathering at Drumcondra Church on Sabbath afternoons. Reflecting on his decision to be baptised, Jose Luis shared: “I think the longer we delay surrendering to Jesus, the harder the surrender can be. I felt I needed to take that step. No matter how far we stray from Jesus, that doesn’t stop Him from rescuing us.”
Jose Luis currently works in a Mexican restaurant and sees his baptism as part of a wider mission. “I believe the most important mission for me is that the change I want to see in others has to begin with me,” he said. “That’s why I was baptised here, because I want many people to return to Christ.”
A Growing Spanish-Speaking Community
The Spanish-speaking Adventist Group in Dublin meets every Sabbath at 2:00 pm at Drumcondra Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is currently the only Adventist group in Ireland where the entire service is conducted in Spanish. Around 15 to 20 people attend regularly, representing six different countries.
The group began approximately three years ago, meeting in different homes as many members faced language barriers and found it difficult to fully engage in English-speaking services. Most of those involved had previously served as leaders in their churches in their home countries.
“It’s a very warm group, and visitors often tell us they feel at home from the first day,” explained Pastor Maicol Cortes. Originally from Chile, Pastor Cortes serves as the pastor of Drumcondra Seventh-day Adventist Church and also provides pastoral support to the Spanish-speaking group. Reflecting on its purpose, he added, “I feel that our group can have a really great impact on people who move to this country and don’t speak English yet.”
Leadership and Vision
Ana Connor, originally from Honduras, was actively involved in the Adventist Church before moving to Ireland. She is the leader of the Spanish-speaking group and brings a deep passion for ministry and community. While attending Drumcondra Church, Ana noticed that many Spanish-speaking members felt welcomed but still struggled due to the language barrier. She experienced this challenge herself.
Together with five friends, Ana decided to form a small group where they could worship, study the Bible, and support one another in Spanish. As the group grew and more Spanish-speaking Adventists connected, the need for a more permanent meeting space became clear. With the support of Drumcondra Church leadership, the group began meeting in the church building in April 2025.
“Our mission is to share the Word of God and create a space of love, friendship, and support where each person can feel welcome, accompanied, and strengthened in their faith,” Ana said.
Speaking about Jose Luis’ baptism, she added, “For me, it’s very significant. He has been with our group from the beginning and has always been very active, bringing friends and participating in activities. I’m so happy to know our group supported him, and it’s amazing to see how involved he is in the Adventist Church.”
Ana recalls many moving moments from the group’s journey, including saying goodbye to someone who was not yet baptised but attended the group’s meetings every week. “He was already part of our group, and it was very emotional to say goodbye after several months in Ireland. He told us, ‘Thank you so much. You are the family I have in Ireland,’” she shared. “That’s when you realise how important this community is.”
Want to Learn More?
The Spanish-speaking Adventist Group continues to grow and warmly welcomes anyone interested in worship, fellowship, and spiritual growth in Spanish.
Meeting time: Saturdays at 2:00 pm
Location: Drumcondra Seventh-day Adventist Church
157 Richmond Road, Drumcondra, Dublin
Contact:
Pastor Maicol Cortes – maicol@adventist.ie
You can also follow the group on Instagram:
@iglesia_adventista_hispana_irl
Adventistas Hispanohablantes en Dublin
