Teaching love

DUNCAN March 23, 2008 12:46 pm

— More than 30 years ago, Rigoberto Varela left a country, left a religion and found Jesus.
Immigrating from Juarez, Mexico, with his entire family, wife, children, parents and in-laws, they settled in Lawton at first, but soon realized Duncan was where they wanted to be.
“Lawton had too much violence,” Varela said. “I wanted to live in a place where I could raise my kids and take them to church.”
While working multiple jobs so that he could provide for his family, an opportunity came his way that he considers to probably be the happiest moment of his life.
“We used to go to Catholic church, mother, dad and all generations, but one day somebody told me about Jesus,” Varela said. “He told me He’s not on the cross, He’s alive.”
After studying the Bible on his own for a time, Varela slowly started to feel that this new religion was the correct one for him and his family and then he went to church.
“I came into service one day and all the people were friendly and like family,” he said. “It touched my heart. I kept going back.”
This new religion took Varela on a completely new path that eventually found him becoming pastor of the Primera Iglesia Bautista congregation in Duncan.
“I talked with my pastor and I told him I feel like I’ve been called to preach,” he said. “That desire came from God.”
In order to make sure that this calling was divine, however, he prayed for about a month to ensure that his desire was well-founded.
In 1988, he was ordained and got busy with church work all over southern Oklahoma, from Grandfield to Ardmore, before finally settling down in the Duncan congregation on May 5, 2007.
All along the way, his family remained in Duncan and his wife provided the support he needed.
“She’s the best thing because of my ministry, my wife she always is there,” Varela said. “She never complains about anything, as long as it’s God’s work, she’s happy.”
Varela has been happily married for almost 39 years. He met his wife when he was younger and still in Juarez, which is just across the border from El Paso, Texas.
As he recalls that experience, he chuckles.
“One day I went by and I saw her and then that happened,” he said. “My wife’s name is Gloria and I hope to reach real Glory one of these days.”
Because of his hard work his entire life, his wife has never had to work.
“She’s a housewife,” he said. “She’s never pursued a career, other than being with me in the ministry. She really loves God.”
With the love of God that both Varela and his wife share, it was only natural that their four children should follow in their footsteps.
“My oldest daughter, Alexander, married the Immanuel Baptist Hispanic pastor,” Varelo said. “My son after her, Rigoberto Jr., has been a minister for the past five years, my younger son, Samuel, is a deacon here and my youngest daughter, Marisol, married a deacon here.”
In the process of building up his church and reaching out to others, Varela does not want to just appeal to the Hispanic population.
“We want to be open door for everyone,” he said. “We have bilingual brothers and sisters, so we are in the process to buy headphones so we can interpret for them.”
The impetus for Varela’s labor is to share with others how he found happiness.
“When you accept Christ, you can’t be quiet about it,” he said. “If I can witness to one person a day, I am happy.”
He has done just that throughout his career. But he has reached out beyond the normal Sunday sermon, as well.
“We just got back from a one-day mission trip to Juarez,” Varela said. “We took clothing, food, toys. Enough for 100 families. We had a great time.”
Varela loves people and he attributes that to John 3:16 in the Bible.
“I love that Scripture,” he said. “It shows that God loves the whole world, not just a specific group, ethnic or otherwise.”

Photos

Rev. Rigoberto Varela sits behind his desk at his church just west of Duncan High School's football field.