In a remarkable display of unity and faith, the Cuando Jesus Llega (When Jesus Comes) evangelistic series made a profound impact on communities both within the Atlantic Union Conference and globally. Under the leadership of Henry Beras, Atlantic Union Conference Hispanic and Portuguese ministries vice president, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, this unprecedented series touched countless lives, resulting in more than 700 individuals desiring baptism—with approximately 500 of those in the Atlantic Union, more than 200 in the Dominican Republic, and some 50 individuals in other countries.
The two-part series began May 4 with more than 87 Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking churches around the union simultaneously participating in the week-long series. Cuando Jesus Llega was also an opportunity to collaborate with dozens of pastors and conference administrators from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and El Salvador who came to the U.S. to serve as guest evangelists at churches participating in the evangelistic series. The second portion was May 11-18 at the Lion of Judah Spanish church in Waterbury, Connecticut, where Beras was the guest evangelist. Streamed live on Esperanza TV, Amanecer Internacional Dominican Republic Radio, Esperanza Radio New York, Adventist Radio San Salvador, and Oasis de Esperanza Radio, the series set a new benchmark for Hispanic evangelism within the Atlantic Union.
Historically, the Atlantic Union Conference has supported mission and evangelism efforts in other countries, especially those areas connected to members in our territory who hail from Brazil, Honduras, Cape Verde, and the Dominican Republic, to name a few. Many of these members may have relatives and loved ones living in these countries whom they want to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Atlantic Union Conference, through Hispanic and Portuguese ministries, has actively collaborated with union and conference leaders in the Inter-American Division in evangelism and assisted with building and restoring churches and other ministry-focused institutions. “As we work together to support each other in spreading the gospel, it not only strengthens the Atlantic Union but also echoes our mission of ‘United We Go to Grow God’s Kingdom,’” said Beras.
The collaboration between the countries was part of Beras’ vision and has been fully supported by the Atlantic Union Conference administration. He aims to work with conference-level Hispanic and Portuguese ministry coordinators to create a “chain of evangelism” here in the Atlantic Union. “I wanted to coordinate opportunities for pastors in the Atlantic Union territory and those in other countries to work together, network, and share ministry ideas to minister to people in the same language groups,” Beras shared. “This evangelistic series is a testament to answered prayer and God’s power.”
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Debra Banks Cuadro, communication director and Gleaner editor, Atlantic Union Conference
