Mission
Fiesta Cristiana is a Christ-centered Hispanic/Latino leadership community that centers the lived experiences of disenfranchised people while proactively dismantling systemic and structural inequalities.

Vision
We see a world that embodies God's diverse Beloved Community, where everyone belongs, everyone is welcome and everyone is necessary.

 Values

• Center the Margins
• Equity and Justice
• Collaboration
• Build Community

Brief history and important moments

In 2008, during one of the most challenging economic times in the United States, Apex United Methodist Church took a step of faith by hiring Pastor José Luis Villaseñor to begin a Hispanic/Latino ministry in the Triangle area of ​​North Carolina.

Designated as a New Faith Community

By 2010, the congregation was recognized as more than a ministry but as a “faith community” by the UMC North Carolina Annual Conference and had the support needed to start weekly Sunday services in Spanish. In the same year, this new faith community launched the Apex Latino Arts Festival and subsequently opened the Family Resource Center to build a sense of community and respond to needs.

The Apex Latino Arts Festival began as a pilot project between the City of Apex and Fiesta to highlight the presence of Latino arts and culture in our local community and provide an opportunity to build bridges across cultures. Each year since then, community members enjoy a day of food tasting, children's arts and crafts, traditional piñata breaking, Latin American dances, musical performances, and an arts and crafts bazaar. This event brings people together while affirming Hispanic/Latino arts and culture.

As the congregation continued to grow, the needs of those who are part of the church and general community did as well, both physically and spiritually. Informally, Fiesta Cristiana Mission Congregation began to provide support to members and neighbors, and before long, established the Family Resource Center, which provides food, financial assistance, and referral services to community members.

Launches Apex Immigration Services

In that same year (2016), Fiesta Cristiana launch Apex Immigration Services (AIS) as a “service ministry that seeks to fill a growing, unmet need for a trusted source of information and low cost, high-quality immigration legal services for low-income income immigrants and refugees.”

Chartered as a Mission Congregation

In 2018, Fiesta was established by the UMC North Carolina Annual Conference as a Mission Congregation. This designation positioned Fiesta to “center the experiences and voices of the Hispanic and Latinx community in Apex and the surrounding areas.”

Creates First Racial Equity Bridge Team

In 2019, the Apex UMC Family of Faith created a Racial Equity Bridge Team made up of representatives from each campus. Their goal is to amplify the voice of non-White brothers and sisters within and beyond our walls in all matters that impact our congregations. This includes guiding, educating, coordinating and providing accountability within our congregations to proactively dismantle racism.

Implements Community Health Worker Initiative

In January of 2021, El Centro Hispano approached Fiesta to become a key partner in implementing a Community Health Worker workforce in response to COVID19 outreach and education efforts in six counties (Wake, Harnett, Lee, Moore, Richmond, and Montgomery). A team of Community Health Workers were hired to conduct outreach, education, and connect people to resources. All certified.

Recognized under United Methodist Church Group Ruling

By August 2021, Fiesta Cristiana Mission Congregation was incorporated in North Carolina under a Group Ruling of the United Methodist Church. UMC serves as its fiscal sponsor.