Latinos from across the United States gathered in Dallas on Sunday to celebrate their culture and their growing presence within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC).
The First Baptist Church in Dallas hosted an event called Celebración Hispana, designed specifically for Spanish speakers to share their faith and to deepen their understanding of the gospel.
This gathering was part of the annual Southern Baptist Convention that commenced on Sunday at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. The event is anticipated to draw between 18,000 to 20,000 attendees and will continue through Wednesday.
Throughout the convention, Southern Baptist pastors are set to engage in multiple activities including training sessions, celebrations, and workshops. On Tuesday and Wednesday, voting delegates, known as messengers, will cast their votes to influence the future leadership of the convention and its position on various social issues.
On Sunday, the Omni Dallas Hotel also hosted a Women’s Expo, showcasing booths from exhibitors that promoted various service and ministry opportunities for Southern Baptist women.
Similarly, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, the SBC’s public policy arm, planned to host an evening event titled “Southern Baptists in the Public Square,” featuring several elected officials.
As families arrived at First Baptist in downtown Dallas, they were welcomed by banners reading “Bienvenidos,” guiding them through an aisle filled with informative booths. These booths highlighted opportunities for missionary trips, biblical programs for children and teenagers, and initiatives such as “Mejor hombre,” or “Better Man,” focused on men’s roles in the church and society.
Salvador Estrada, a participant from Rockwall, expressed the day as a moment of celebration. “To share with fellow brothers and sisters our love for Jesus Christ and to be proud of our culture,” he said.
Estrada, who hails from Michoacan, Mexico, came with his wife and two teenage children. He finds these gatherings a valuable opportunity to further explore his faith, teaching Sunday biblical school at Nueva Esperanza Baptist Church in Royse City.
“The language of heaven is Spanish,” remarked Jeff Iorg, president and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, during the gospel service.
The service highlighted the growth of the Latino community within the church, where church leaders from Texas and beyond addressed the importance of engaging young individuals in the National Hispanic Baptist Network, or Red Nacional Bautista Hispana. Created to unite and support Latinos within the SBC, this network is crucial for the future of the faith.
Bruno Molina, executive director of the National Hispanic Baptist Network, reported a significant rise in the number of Hispanic Baptists both nationwide and in Texas. He noted that approximately half of the new churches planted last year by the local Southern Baptists of Texas Convention were Hispanic.
According to Baptist Press, Hispanic-majority congregations represent roughly 20% of the 5,302 churches associated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, translating to about 135,000 individuals affiliated with these Latino Baptist churches.
“Los jovenes Latinos son el futuro de nuestra fe y nuestro país,” Molina emphasized, adding, “Toda la honra a Dios, ser un Hispano Bautista del Sur es un llamado de Dios.” This translates to, “Latino youth are the future of our faith and our country. All credit to God, being a Hispanic Southern Baptist is a calling from God.”
Humberto Gonzalez, lead minister of the En Español Ministry at First Baptist Dallas, opened the gospel service. He stated that the diversity among Latinos enriches the ministry, with their shared love for Christ as a unifying factor.
The En Español Ministry, established in 2023, offers seven Spanish Sunday school classes and a Spanish-language Sunday service attended by about 200 individuals weekly. Additionally, the ministry provides evening classes in theology, ESL, and business and finance several times throughout the year.
Dania Borunda, who traveled from Oklahoma with her daughter, Alexa Borunda, emphasized the importance of community. She wanted her daughter to be surrounded by peers who share her faith.
For 16-year-old Alexa, being a religious teenager can be challenging, as friends sometimes question her beliefs. She expressed excitement about the convention, seeing it as an opportunity to connect with other young Latinas who embrace their faith and culture.
Josiah Espinoza from California noted the growing recognition of Latinos’ roles within the church and the significance of supporting them in leadership positions for the future. He expressed hope that the church will continue to foster Latino participation and advancement.
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