KEYPORT, N.J.--El Mesias is known as the "immigrant church" by minority groups in the area served by the United Methodist Church.

The Independent newspaper reports that with the rise of Hispanic migration to the area, the church's hospitality to local immigrants has made the ministry a strong presence in the community.

The Rev. Dr. Federico Quezada, pastor of El Mesias, is an immigrant himself, from the Dominican Republic. He knows the experience of arriving in the United States and wants to help others like himself.

"We are known because our hospitality is the best care we can present and because of the programs we have to help people," he said.

"They're all together in the same boat, including me," Quezada said of immigrants. "I started in the same way but had the opportunity to do something different."

About 50 to 60 immigrants attend El Mesias each week, Quezada said. The church offers programs to help both legal and illegal immigrants.

"The program can give between $200 and $300 to only those people in need, and it usually helps them get started for the first few weeks," Quezada said.

The church also organizes a lunch program and gives free meals on Saturdays to about 20 people. The program is supported by local volunteers and by donations.

The church also offers activities such as instruction in English as a second language. "The classes are offered three times a week and are taught by three to four volunteers," Quezada said. "We also have programs to prevent school dropouts and to teach computers."

Outside funding make the various programs possible. The church also offers music lessons and Mexican dancing classes.

Finding work for immigrants is difficult. About 30 to 40 immigrants involved with the church wait for work as day laborers each morning. But residents complained about the laborers and police asked them to move. The church is working with the community, other churches and the government to accommodate the workers.

"We have our door, our heart and our mind open, and it doesn't matter where you come from," the minister said.