Ten years ago, Eddie Zaldana—son of Guatemalan immigrants—planted Iglesia Anhelo with just six people gathered in his backyard. He chose Fairview, New Jersey, a diverse, underserved immigrant community just outside New York City, as his mission field, feeling a clear call to minister to people with backgrounds like his own.

“Most of our members are from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Colombia,” Eddie explains. “They love God, but many carry confusion or hurt from spiritual abuse or prosperity gospel teaching.”

Today, Iglesia Anhelo is a thriving, Spanish-speaking church of nearly 160 regular attendees. Through clear Bible teaching, intentional discipleship, and active community engagement, the church is seeing steady growth and lasting transformation.

One powerful example is an older immigrant man who came to the church with little formal education. Now deeply rooted in Scripture, he’s become a trusted leader others seek out for prayer and counsel. “It’s amazing to see people with only a few years of school grow into gospel-centered leaders,” Eddie says.

The church’s impact extends well beyond Sundays. They run a bi-weekly food bank, host legal aid clinics for undocumented immigrants, and mentor students through the college application process. “We want to be a church that walks with people through every part of life.”

Acts 29 has played a vital role in Iglesia Anhelo’s ministry. “Acts 29 changed my life,” Eddie says. “It shaped my walk with Christ, strengthened my marriage, and gave structure to our church. When we faced crisis moments, it was Acts 29 pastors who guided me through them.”

As Iglesia Anhelo marks a decade of ministry, Eddie is looking forward to raising more elders, expanding discipleship, and continuing to bring the hope of the gospel to immigrant families. “When we planted in Fairview, we wanted to be a healthy, biblical church in the middle of an immigrant community,” Eddie shares.

Thank you for partnering with us and continue to pray as gospel transformation takes root in New Jersey and beyond.