Prayer in Prague
Brittany Comunale ’16
Ministry Profile:
LaFe
MONICA PEREZ
Latino Fellowship (LaFe) is a community group of the larger, multi-ethnic Brown Christian Fellowship gathering. Led by
Monica Perez and Brittney Gonzalez, LaFe aims to see Latin@ students at Brown explore faith and culture, be challenged
to step closer to Christ, and redefine their lives. Although framed within the context of Latino culture and tradition, LaFe
welcomes people of all faiths and ethnicities. During weekly gatherings, we study Bible passages through the lens of our
ethnic and cultural backgrounds and discuss the relevance of faith in our lives and communities. Each week, Monica and
Brittney challenge their Bible study to do something in response to what they learned from Scripture that week. Week to
week, the challenge may include striking up a conversation, praying boldly, or reflecting on a specific Biblical passage.
Since its inception three years ago, LaFe has grown from eight to over 25 members, and it continues to reach new
students each week who are curious about the intersection of faith and culture. For many Latin@ students at Brown and
RISD, the connection to faith and religion often occurs in a diverse, multilingual, and multi-generational context. LaFe
was created to unite this community and carve out a space where members could be understood and affirmed in their
identity. LaFe aspires to be a student chapter of the wider Intervarsity Latino Fellowship national organization that has
been headed by Orlando Crespo since 1999. For Latin@ students who may find themselves a minority on their campus or
in their fellowship, LaFe offers support through InterVarsity staff workers, discipleship materials, and national conferences
and gatherings.
Anyone who is interested in cross-cultural ministry or finding wholeness in their ethnic and spiritual identity is encouraged
to check out LaFe at Brown!
32
CORNERSTONE Magazine