More than 600 people attended the third annual Hispanic Evangelism Conference at White Oak Conference Center, Winnsboro, SC, April 25-26. This year’s theme “Testigos Por Toda la Tierra” translated means testify to the whole world, and sums up the event’s purpose.
Ali Velasquez, SCBC associate church starting strategist, along with Tommy Ferrell, director of Evangelism and Missions team, SCBC, organized and promoted the event to Hispanic churches in South Carolina and other states.
“This event allows us to fellowship with and edify the Hispanics who are now the largest minority in the United States,” Velasquez said.
B. Carlisle Driggers, SCBC executive director-treasurer presented the conference’s focus on the Biblical call to do missions and spread the Gospel. Bobby Sena, Hispanic Unit manager at the North American Mission Board, was the keynote speaker for the two-day conference. James Orr, Pee Dee Association director of missions, presented a new mini-conference only in English for English speaking attendees to learn more about working with Hispanics in a Southern Baptist culture.
According to Velasquez, one of the main objectives was to show the Hispanic population that the conference set goals and achieved them, and to provide resources for pastors and leaders. The mini-conference themes were for pastors, church planters, and missionaries. There were also sessions about Vacation Bible School, Woman’s Missionary Union, and the Cooperative Program.
Velasquez and Ferrell created a holistic approach to the conference, careful to not over look details. For example, some foods served during lunch and dinner were burritos, fajitas, Spanish rice, and guacamole. The décor also boasted a Hispanic flavor.
Because approximately 50 in attendance were Portuguese, the conference included three mini-conferences presented in Portuguese. Also, two volunteers translated Drigger’s message to Portuguese as well as Spanish.
The featured praise and worship band, Nueva Vision, from Iglesia Hispana Bautista, Goose Creek, SC led worship both days, and gave a concert for Hispanic youth attending with their parents.
“A notable characteristic this time was the presence of entire families,” Velasquez said. “Most leaders and pastors came with their wives and children.”
Next year’s conference will be Friday and Saturday, April 23 and 24. For more information contact the Church Multiplication Group, SCBC, at (800)723-7242, ext. 5800.
