Some people say that Spanish will be the language spoken in Heaven. Often, the people who believe that sentiment are already fluent in the language. Still, if it were true, attendees at the Hispanic Leadership Convention, April 19-21, experienced a little taste of Heaven. Surrounded by infectious laughter and smiles, even a language barrier could not diminish the excitement in the air as more than 700 attendees from Hispanic churches and conference ministries across the Atlantic Union convened for a transformative weekend at the Stamford Marriott Hotel and Spa in Stamford, Connecticut.
Sponsored by the Atlantic Union Conference Hispanic Ministries, the convention offered over 42 enriching seminars covering topics ranging from handling conflict, constructing a sermon, event planning, family fi- nances, and much more. The convention also provided 12 general sessions designed to focus on leadership and spiritual growth. Led by dedicated ministry leaders, the event catered to leaders at all levels of church ministry—elders and leaders of church departments such as Sabbath School, Prayer Ministries, and Family Ministries, to name a few. “These leaders have been qualified and given the tools to work and put into practice what they received from the convention to bring to their churches and impart to others,” said Henry Beras, Atlantic Union Conference Hispanic Ministries vice president.
A worshipful atmosphere was present throughout the event, with Japhet Ruiz and the praise team leading the attendees in singing praises to God. General session speakers Elizabeth Talbot, Jesus 101 speaker/director; Robert Folkenberg, Southern New England Conference president; Elias F. Zabala Sr., Atlantic Union Conference treasurer; Hermes Tavera, Greater New York pastor; and Joel Flores, Nuevo Tiempo evangelist, brought inspiration, encouragement, and spiritual food. While not everyone spoke Spanish, conference presidents from four of the six conferences in the Atlantic Union and Atlantic Union administrators brought greetings—some even attempting to do so without translation assistance from Zabala— and were warmly received by the audience, albeit with much laughter.
Atlantic Union Conference Hispanic Ministries recognized Northeastern Conference pastor Manuel Medina for his work with evangelism, baptisms, and winning people for Jesus Christ. Hispanic Ministries also highlighted 10 churches for their evangelism efforts and for bringing the most people to the convention—one pastor brought as many as 65 people. Each received a gift from the Atlantic Union Conference to further their evangelistic work. Attendees enthusiastically participated in giveaway segments throughout the weekend. Each added their name to a bag to be part of a random drawing, hoping to receive one of the many technology tools available (iPads and laptops) to help them with digital evangelism.
The event also launched Cuando Jesus Llega (When Jesus Comes), an evangelism series that occurred at more than 85 churches around the Atlantic Union, May 4-18, and was broadcast around the Atlantic Union territory and other parts of the world. “Not only are we going to gospel for our territory, but we will also impact the world for the glory of God,” said Beras.
“The Hispanic Leadership Convention was something extraordinary because it impacted not only church elders but also all church leaders,” said Beras. “The feedback we’ve received is that this program has been a great influence on the spiritual life of those who attended. . . . These leaders will go out from here to proclaim the good news of salvation. Not only that, but the program was also organized so each church has a prayer ministry, and together, we will continue seeking the Lord for power. This will have a great impact on the progress of the gospel work within the Atlantic Union.”
For more than 26 years, the Atlantic Union Conference Hispanic and Portuguese ministries have continued their mission to coordinate and support the ministry efforts of Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking people in the Atlantic Union territory. Under the theme, “United We Go to Grow God’s Kingdom,” the department supports the six conferences—Bermuda, Greater New York, New York, Northeastern, Northern New England, and Southern New England—by providing training, serving as speakers, and other resources to propel mission and evangelism to reach this growing demographic.
