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From pastor to political activist
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In two decades, Leon de Juda, or Lion of Judah, a largely Hispanic evangelical Christian church, has grown from five members to 1,200, representing the rise of evangelical, Pentecostal congregations in a state long dominated by Catholics. With as many as 800 worshipers attending Sunday services, Leon de Juda also exemplifies the dramatic increase of Hispanics around Greater Boston.
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In May, 34 church leaders and Christian activists from Boston responded to his invitation and met in a small convent in Roxbury to discuss the plan. In September, the group will meet again to define its long-term goals.
''I called together these key leaders to talk about how could we put together an initiative to sell our product better, to be more relevant, and to communicate the message of the gospel in ways that would be a lot more digestible to the general public," Miranda said during in an interview in his spacious office overlooking Northampton Street
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As the congregation grew, Miranda considered moving the church to the suburbs, where many members lived. Then, he said, he had a dream, in which enormous tarantulas were hovering over Boston.
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