S.C. Hispanic pastors connect for training, fellowship

The biannual Hispanic Pastors’ Conference was held June 28-29 at the South Carolina Baptist Convention building in Columbia. Conference speakers included Jose Delgado, Samuel Hernandez, and church-planting catalyst Samuel Rodriguez, who shared resources and encouragement with the 80 pastors, church planters and prospective church planters in attendance.

Rodriguez said the conference started six years ago with about 30 churches, and now almost 60 Hispanic churches participate. “The greatest need we have is to train, equip and connect with South Carolina Baptist Convention resources, so this conference helps to connect these pastors with people in different areas of the convention,” Rodriquez said. “We equip them with church-planting and discipleship tools, and they can network, pray together, encourage one another, and share successes and struggles.”

At the conference, Jim Austin, SCBC executive director-treasurer, greeted the pastors and shared how they can connect with key ministries through the state office. Rodriguez said holding the conference in Columbia provided the opportunity to overcome language barriers and ensure that the pastors know that convention staff are ready to serve them in their work.

A pastor’s struggle to balance family and ministry time is universal, and Rodriguez said that was an important issue addressed during the conference, along with how to better connect with local missions. “There is always a need to help connect them with their director of missions and Anglo pastors in their area. We always encourage Hispanic churches to connect with the local association and with other ethnic churches to work together for the kingdom. We are on the same team, part of the same body as believers and with the South Carolina Baptist Convention,” Rodriguez said.

Pastor Jerry Zapata has been in South Carolina for about five years and serves as pastor of Iglesia Bautista Hispana of Greenville, is a church planter for Ministerio Bautista de Restauracion (Baptist Ministry of Restoration), and is involved with a Hispanic Christian television station in the Carolinas. He attended the conference to build relationships with other pastors and church leaders and work alongside them for the kingdom.

“My dream is to reach the goal of one great united church, where we all praise the Lord together with the only language that counts for the Lord, one church worshiping in spirit and in truth and without the walls of language, race or nationality,” Zapata said.

“Meetings like this help rally and resource the frontline servants, as our state convention president Ralph Carter is also highlighting that we are ‘better together,’ ” said Daryl Price, director of the church-planting group at the South Carolina Baptist Convention. “South Carolina Baptist Hispanic pastors, churches and church plants are vital to reaching the diverse population of our state. This conference adds fuel through encouragement and strategy to their passion to help bring the hope of Jesus.”

Conference attendees learned more about the national outreach emphasis, My Hope with Billy Graham, which will take place in November to coincide with the evangelist’s 95th birthday. Tony Hancock is the pastor of Nueva Esperanza Church in Ehrhardt, which is poised to also reach neighboring Allendale, Hampton, Barnwell, Bamberg and Colleton counties. In his role as director of Hispanic ministries for three associations, Hancock is the point person for outreach to farm workers and assists Anglo churches in reaching Hispanics. Hancock said he is excited about the outreach opportunity that can introduce the gospel to friends and neighbors in a nonthreatening way.

“This emphasis has a special significance for me because my father, who was a missionary in Peru, came to know the Lord at a Billy Graham crusade,” Hancock said. “I am pleased that My Hope is providing materials in Spanish so that Spanish-speaking churches can participate. I look forward to putting this training to use over the next few months.”

Also during the conference, pastors Mario Vargas and Ruben Navarrete were honored for having completed more than 50 years in ministry. The next Hispanic Pastors’ Conference is slated for Dec. 6-7 at White Oak Conference Center.

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