Hispanic clergy seek ideas, inspiration on trip to Texas

A group of Hispanic clergy from the Western North Carolina Conference witnessed how grassroots ministries reach people with the love of Christ.

The three-day trip to San Antonio, part of an initiative called Mirando Hacia el Futuro con Esperanza (Looking Toward the Future with Hope), brought home ideas to strengthen WNCC Hispanic congregations – and spark fresh expressions in Spanish-speaking communities. A grant from the Foundation’s Reynolds Ministry Fund served as a catalyst.

Demographics illustrate why this work is so important. From 2010 to 2020, North Carolina’s Hispanic population grew by 40 percent to 1.1 million people. The number is expected to reach 2 million by 2050, or 14 percent of the total population.

For the Connection to fully reflect the Kingdom of God, we must engage these communities. Now is a pivotal moment: Many of our Hispanic pastors are nearing retirement age, and God is calling a new generation of leaders. Our call is to equip them with resources and imagination.

South Texas is a good place to find both. First on the itinerary was Emanuel Iglesia Metodista Unida, a congregation known for creative forms of outreach. The church hosts a thriving, lay-led group called WINGS (Women in God’s Spirit) for women overcoming addiction, abuse and loneliness.

It was powerful to see strangers join hands as friends and allies, said Rev. Sonia Baca-Zuniga, pastor of Marvin/Comunidad de Gracia UMC in Winston-Salem.

“They have experienced much suffering,” Sonia wrote in a reflection. “(But) they accompany each other and care for one another as sisters, and as daughters of God.”

Reflecting the Kingdom of God

The visit to South Texas grew out of conversations led by Luke Edwards, Associate Director of Church Development for the Conference. Last fall, Luke helped launch Expresiones de Amor, an initiative that brought together 55 participants from 12 churches for a weekend of worship, dreaming and training. Since then, the group has experimented with fresh expressions specific to Hispanic contexts.

The Alamo provided a backdrop to consider parallels between past struggles for independence and today’s ongoing quest for justice, particularly in the context of borders and displacement, said Andrés Pérez González, Student Associate Minister at Guilford College UMC in Greensboro. Clergy left the site, he said, feeling a renewed desire to serve those who face exclusion.

At San Fernando Cathedral, often called the “soul of San Antonio,” the group saw an emblem of the city’s long history of cultural fusion and resilience, Andrés said. It represented the idea of creating room for all at God’s table, a cornerstone of United Methodist theology.

Please join us in praying for and supporting these clergy as they go about the holy work of fulfilling God’s vision.