In a visionary move, Hispanic representatives at the Atlantic Union Conference 26th Constituency Session, held November 17-18, 1996, presented a proposal to elect a vice president at the union level to coordinate Hispanic ministries. Delegates supported the proposal by voting on a recommendation to present to the nominating committee to fill the position. More than 26 years later, the Atlantic Union Conference Hispanic and Portuguese ministries continues its mission to coordinate and support the “ministry efforts of Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking people in the Atlantic Union territory.” Four vice presidents have served during this time: Francisco Ramos (1996-2000), Roberto Reyna (2000-2006), Dionisio Olivo (2006-2022), and Henry Beras (2022-present).
All Atlantic Union Conference departments and ministries, working under the leadership of the administrators, are coordinating their efforts to emphasize making mission and evangelism a priority in this territory under the theme “United We Go.” The work of the Atlantic Union Conference departments is to support the six conferences in the territory: Bermuda, Greater New York, New York, Northeastern, Northern New England, and Southern New England.
The U.S. Census Bureau cites Spanish as the “most common non-English language spoken in U.S. homes (62 percent) in 2019—12 times greater than the next four most common languages” of Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Arabic. Some of the plans for Hispanic and Portuguese ministries include working to provide training, serving as speakers, and joining financial forces with the conferences in propelling mission and evangelism to reach this growing demographic. Henry Beras, who currently serves as Hispanic and Portuguese ministries vice president, explained that beginning in 2024, the Atlantic Union will target two conferences each year to work together and share pastoral resources to support each other’s evangelism initiatives. “This will create unity and push forward the idea of moving unitedly as we support each other in spreading the gospel and strengthening the Atlantic Union,” Beras said. He added that this would not only benefit Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking churches. “We will involve all the churches, since United We Go.”
Sometimes, mission and evangelism occur outside the Atlantic Union territory—especially in countries and territories connected to members whose primary language is Spanish or Portuguese. Many members now living in this territory hail from Brazil, Cape Verde, Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Puerto Rico, to name a few, and may still have relatives and loved ones in these countries whom they want to reach for Jesus Christ. Over the years, the Atlantic Union Conference and Hispanic and Portuguese ministries have actively participated in ongoing evangelism and outreach efforts in some of these places and continue to work with union and conference leaders in the Inter-American Division to help build or restore churches, schools, and other ministry-focused institutions.
“While we sometimes support evangelism programs in different countries, our primary responsibility is here within our union territory,” said Beras. For that reason, he is working with conference-level Hispanic and Portuguese ministries coordinators to create a “chain of evangelism” here at home between the conferences by helping to coordinate opportunities for pastors in the Atlantic Union territory to work together, network, share ministry ideas, and build rapport with pastors from other conferences and other countries ministering to people in these same language groups.
Hispanic and Portuguese ministries also sees the importance of ongoing evangelism training for lay church members. The department is already planning a union-wide Hispanic and Portuguese leadership convention to take place April 19-21, 2024, in Stamford, Connecticut, for Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking church laity and leaders serving at all levels.
Since beginning his term, Beras has conducted several evangelistic series and training seminars for churches around the territory. “Doing training is part of my responsibilities, and it is a resource provided by this office,” emphasized Beras. He welcomes the opportunity to serve in this capacity by conducting seminars and assisting conference coordinators in bringing experienced pastors and individuals to their churches with the necessary expertise to help their members grow and develop spiritually.
Hispanic and Portuguese ministries also works with conferences to create lay training schools and support endeavors already in place. Sponsoring one-day evangelism rallies at a central location with members from local Spanish or Portuguese churches coming together for an encouraging message, inspirational music, and more is another endeavor the department is developing with conference Hispanic and Portuguese coordinators to begin in 2024.
Additional future projects for the department include collaborating with local conference Hispanic Ministries coordinators to create a resource guide in Spanish and Portuguese for church members to provide relatives and neighbors who have recently entered the United States. The guide will include a directory of churches with services in those languages, a list of Adventist-operated food banks and clothing ministries, churches that provide English classes, and more. “So many people are suffering from various situations. The Hispanic and Portuguese ministries work is important to let them know that we are here to serve, support, and encourage them. They have a department specifically to work on their behalf,” said Beras.
Serving this demographic of our churches and communities requires the help of all language groups. Several churches around the Atlantic Union have opened their doors to small Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking groups to give them a space to hold Bible studies and worship services. Many Hispanic and Portuguese churches were formed as they quickly outgrew their donated space and obtained their own building, thus spreading God’s message to other neighborhoods. Some churches offer English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, host seminars featuring local community agencies offering free financial or legal assistance to immigrants, started diaper ministries, and more to minister to those who may be new to this country. “English-speaking churches have greatly benefited Hispanic and Portuguese ministries,” Beras said. “I encourage more churches to look around their community and see if there are people there who speak Spanish or Portuguese. Get to know them, find out their needs, and think of ways their congregation can be of service, and ultimately, be part of a step in leading someone to Jesus Christ.”
