Excitement regarding evangelism in the Mid-America Hispanic churches has been growing dramatically within the last few months. Elder Ernest Castillo, vice president of the North American Division, announced at the NAD Hispanic coordinators’ meeting in January, 2016, in Silver Spring, Maryland, that he desired to begin training one union per year in small group ministries evangelism patterned after the highly successful program of the Arizona Conference and the Pacific Union. The Mid-America Union was the first to be chosen for training.
On Sept. 21-24 all the Hispanic pastors of the Mid-America Union met at union headquarters in Lincoln, Nebraska for training from top specialists: Alejandro Bullon, evangelist emeritus, South American Division; Abimael Escalante, Hispanic coordinator and director, Obra Hispana small group training guides, Arizona Conference; Tony Anobile, vp, Pacific Union; Ruben Merino, associate director, ESPERANZA TV; Elden Ramirez, director, Volunteer Missions, NAD; and Homero Salazar, pastor/musician, Florida Conference.
On Friday evening and Sabbath over 350 elders, evangelism directors and young people from throughout the Mid-America Union joined the training in Woods Auditorium on the campus of Union College. Sabbath morning began with an inspiring challenge by Elder Ernest Castillo. After lunch, conferences met separately for strategic planning and development of over 300 small evangelism groups in homes and churches.
Pastor Michael Shannon of the Rocky Mountain Conference commented, “This is the best training I have ever attended.” Members left inspired and instructed and ready to share the most important good news the world has ever heard. Be looking for significant church growth from Hispanic churches around the Mid-America Union, and thank you for keeping Hispanic evangelism in your thoughts and prayers.
