Under the theme, El Evangelico-Poder (The Gospel is Power) Romans 1:16, the Hispanic Evangelism Conference recently drew together churches and ministries specifically for Spanish speaking culture. 

 

Luis Gabriel Cesar, the main session speaker, pastors one of the most successful Baptist churches in Mexico and is known across the nation for their creative ministry approaches and leadership development. He is also an accomplished writer and contributes regularly to Apuntes Pastorales, a leading magazine for Hispanic pastors.

 

Attendees also participated in breakout sessions on topics ranging from explosive evangelism to disaster relief. 

 

Comprehensive youth and children’s programs were also made available for families of participants. 

 

This year over 900 people representing 39 churches from all across the Southeast attended the event. Though most of the attendees were Hispanic, several church groups interested in reaching the Spanish-speaking culture also participated.

 

Dino Senesi, director of the SC Baptist Convention’s Church Multiplication group called the conference a “truly a regional event.”

 

Over the past few years, South Carolina has seen an increasing number of Hispanics living in the state. Senesi points to church partnerships such as Iglesia la Roca, a Hispanic church in the upstate, as evidence of the existing church awaking to the multi-culturalism of their communities. Three churches--Siloam Baptist, Mt. Moriah Baptist and Mt. Airy Baptist—have partnered to plant Igelsia la Roca.

 

In fact, two new employees specifically assigned to assist the growing Hispanic culture, will begin work in the Church Multiplication group over the next few months. Marcos Elizondo and Samuel Rodriguez will be supporting existing Hispanic churches and working to plant more Spanish-speaking churches.

 

With increasing ministry efforts and opportunities for the Hispanic cultures, the Evangelism conference stands only to grow in coming years. The 2008 Hispanic Evangelism Conference is schedule for April 25 – 26 at East Cooper Baptist Church in Charleston.