First-Plymouth was not on Huertas’ radar. He wasn’t looking to move to Lincoln, nor had it crossed his mind to move from preaching at a Methodist Church in Louisiana to a United Church of Christ congregation in Nebraska. But God works in mysterious ways, and apparently so does Jim Keck.

Keck heard him preach and realized Huertas could help us write our post-pandemic chapter, striving to be present and involved in creating a more just community. As you probably already understand, Keck can be persuasive. He invited Huertas to be a guest preacher in March.

Once connected with our congregation that day, Huertas felt “it”—“That LOVE thing--You’re a congregation committed to LOVE. This has to be a God thing,” he recalled.

Huertas realized that at First-Plymouth he might have opportunity to do what God has called him to do next in his ministry; “To work as Jesus would have us work to make a difference in our community, to work together for peace and justice.” Inspiration in the pews, then rubber on the road. Exciting stuff. More of who we are. Bigger and bolder.