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LITHONIA, Ga. (AP) - Sprinkled among the black faces at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Hispanic worshippers listen intently to the congregation's leader, Bishop Eddie Long.
It's an unusual scene for a predominantly African-American church, but the area's Hispanic population has grown from just 1 percent in 2000, to nearly 9 percent today. And New Birth is acknowledging its new neighbors in a way most historically black churches haven't.
Long is trying to attract Latino members by hiring a Hispanic band, adding Spanish-language Sunday services, hiring a Hispanic pastor — even by learning Spanish.
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