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LEWISVILLE—If there was a word to summarize Apoderados—the Spanish session of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention’s annual Empower Conference—it would be “more.”
With just over 500 attendees representing 66 churches, Apoderados drew more attendees than ever, indicating an increasing number of Hispanic SBTC churches are eager to be equipped to fulfill the Great Commission.
Likewise, 150 couples—more than any other year—attended the dinner for pastors and wives that kicks off the annual event.
And throughout the event, held Feb. 21-22 at Lakeland Baptist Church, attendees were challenged with reaching more people for Jesus Christ.
“Not all of us have the gift of evangelism, but we are all witnesses,” said Gilberto Corredera, pastor of Prestonwood En Español, who preached at Apoderados. “The plan of salvation is still in motion and God is still seeking the sinner. That is why we must continue to proclaim the gospel.”
In addition to the main preaching sessions, Apoderados offered a session for youth and workshops for adults covering a wide range of topics—from identifying sound doctrine and developing evangelists to engaging multiple cultures with the gospel and building ministries within the church such as those for children, discipleship, assimilation, and follow-up. Other sessions focused on using social media as an evangelistic tool and reaching the next generation.
One of the workshop speakers, Jose Arzate—pastor of Northlake Church Español—said Generation Alpha will become one of the most ethnically diverse generations in history. Ninety percent will graduate from high school, he said, and 65% of them will hold jobs that currently do not exist. That’s why he believes the most effective way to disciple the next generation will be through developing relationships.
The kickoff dinner on Feb. 21 featured Esteban Vázquez, teaching pastor and residence director for Send Network planters at Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston. He was joined by his wife, Karina, who serves in the church’s women’s ministry and in the wives’ planting program. The couple shared some of the mistakes they’ve made in marriage and ministry, hoping to give the audience tools for success in their own lives and ministries.
They also talked about sharing the responsibilities of the home and caring for one another. Additionally, Pastor Vázquez emphasized to the pastors in the room the importance of ensuring that writing sermons each week and doing ministry work does not replace their personal intimacy with God.
When the conference resumed on Saturday, Feb. 22, Julio Arriola, director of Send Network SBTC—the convention’s church planting partnership with the North American Mission Board—reminded attendees that God is raising up more workers to plant and lead churches in Texas. Even so, he challenged churches to continue to send planters into the mission field, as much need still exists. Arriola also introduced Arlene Sanabria, a new member to the SBTC en Español team, who will lead the Hispanic part of the convention’s women’s ministry.
After a time of worship led by Diego Manosalva and the group La Peska, Corredera shared a message from Luke 19:1-10 titled, “Reasons to seek the lost.” He offered three reasons from the passage:
- Because God’s plan of salvation is still in progress;
- Because the power of Christ is still transforming lives; and
- Because Christ’s coming requires His believers to work.
Later, Annel Robayna, Hispanic director of the International Mission Board, preached from Acts 8:26-39, challenging God’s people to fulfill His mission. Robayna said God’s call is specific in terms of the place, the message, and the people He is calling believers to reach. “Lord,” Robayna later prayed, “help us to be present in the specific place where you want to use us for your mission.”
Molina honored
The final session of the conference was an emotional one, as Bruno Molina—who has served the SBTC for 16 years—was acknowledged on his last day of service to the convention. He will now serve full-time as executive director of the National Hispanic Baptist Network.
In his new role, Molina will continue to work with the SBTC and other conventions to connect churches and provide resources to reach the nations. Jesse Contreras, who serves in the SBTC’s en Español ministry, shared kind words about Molina and thanked him for his years of service to the SBTC.
“It has been a joy and a lifelong privilege to have served fruitfully with the SBTC team for the past 16 years,” Molina said. “I ask for your prayers and partnership as I now lead the National Hispanic Baptist Network to reach and disciple the estimated 61 million lost Hispanics in the U.S. and, through them, multiply disciple-making movements in the U.S. and around the world. The SBTC will always have my sincere gratitude, prayers, and support.”
