About 100 years ago each of my grandparents emigrated separately from Germany. None spoke English. By happenstance, each settled in the same central Pennsylvania city and attended the same German-speaking church—the church where I was baptized. Each learned to speak English, although their church played little role in their transition to a new life.

Our church is different. Although our ESL program is small (about 15 students are registered for the Monday night or Thursday morning classes), we see the impact that we are having on the students and on those of us who are teaching. About half of our students have come from Asia and half from Latin America. Nearly all students are employed and some have been in the U.S. for many years. My own class of six is fairly representative: a couple from Brazil who are about 70 and clean houses for a living, young woman from Korea who is a church member, a woman from Uruguay, a woman from China who is nearly 80 and whose grandson just graduated from VMI, and a young man from Guatemala.

The only cost to the church is for electricity and heating. Our teachers are volunteers, the childcare is funded through a generous private donation and the cost of materials is covered by the students and a gift from a Sunday School class—with open hands.

For more information about EHUMC’s ESL program, please contact Rev. Jim Johnson by calling the church office at (770) 938-0661.

To download a brochure describing the program, click here: ESL Brochure