Job Talamantes is a minister of the United Pentecostal Church International.

He and his wife, Lupina, were born and married in Texas, where their first-born son, Job, also was born. Two other sons, Willie and David, were born in Minnesota.

Five years ago, the Talamantes moved from Albert Lea to Austin where they started the Tienda Mexico grocery store, 1000, 4th Avenue N.E., which

Talamantes carries 90 percent Mexican food in his store. Between running a business and acting the full time minister for two congregations, Pastor Job does not find much time for small talk.

&uot;He’s on the go all the time -- running here and there,&uot; his son Willie says, skillfully jumping back and forth between English and Spanish while tending to a customer.

Talamantes holds two services every Sunday, in Austin at noon and in Worthington late afternoon. In the past, he also held one in Albert Lea, but it became too much for one day, so he gave it up. He also leads Bible studies in Austin and Worthington.

&uot;The biggest group attending in Austin was about 80 people, but we usually have 30 to 35 weekly.

We had dedication for five children last time,&uot; Talamantes says with a pleased smile.

&uot;We don’t baptize children. And we baptize in the name of Jesus. Some do it in the name of the Father and the Holy Spirit, too. We only do it in the name of Jesus,&uot; he explains.

There are only a few children, brought to church by their mothers, and therefore the need for Sunday school classrooms has not yet become an issue.

The members of Talamantes’ congregation don’t have a building of their own in Austin, so they meet in the Northwest Church of Christ building.

&uot;We didn’t ask permission to use the classrooms or anything else in the church, because I didn’t want to push myself into things,&uot; the pastor admits humbly. &uot;Pastor Dave (DeFor) -- he is already being more than good to us in letting us use the building for services.&uot;

Pastor Job explains his son’s description of his dad: hard to get a hold of because he’s busy running here and there. &uot;Working in the store is part of the work I do,&uot; he says. &uot;The (full time) ministry is a lot of things besides preaching. It comes that way because you’re always going some place, doing something with people. Either they need prayer, or they need advice, or just to talk to somebody. And yes, I do that.&uot;

In ministry to a congregation, a pastor needs to partake in both the happy and sad events that befall his flock. Dedication of newborns, baptism of new believers, weddings and funerals -- through all these, counseling, prayers and support play leading roles from the tender beginning to the end of the bumpy road of life.

For the Hispanics immigrants who come to this country of diverse customs and a different language, having the opportunity of attending a worship service, conducted in their own language, is a God-sent. And if the leader of that service happens to be the bi-lingual owner of a Mexican grocery store, the newcomers may, thanks to Job Talamantes, be on their way in adapting to their new life in the United States -- and in the family of God.