Gerson Sanchez
Hispanic Ministries Coordinator
As time has passed in this quinquennium, God has powerfully blessed the work done through the Hispanic Adventist community in our conference. Through the united work of the churches, pastors, Hispanic director Pastor Gerson Sánchez, and the GSC Administration, it has seen fruits in the expansion and growth of the kingdom of God in the Gulf States.
During this five-year period the areas of work were: evangelism, planting new groups, strengthening the family, caring for young people and organizing them for the mission, stewardship, projection, and support to the community through social aid such as food banks, seminars of healthy and family cooking among others.
At the beginning of the quinquennium Hispanic ministry had 6 districts and 6 pastors, today we have 10 districts and 10 pastors serving in the territory.
Pastor Gerson Sánchez has served full-time as the Hispanic coordinator since 2018. Here is a summary of the work carried out from 2016 to 2020.
Evangelism
Evangelism is an important part of our Hispanic churches, so each church and district participate in permanent evangelism. Each year is divided into 4 periods of 4 months each. In each period we have evangelism through small groups, youth, pastors, children, and women. In the past 5 years in Hispanic ministry, we had more than 250 evangelistic campaigns, including several missionary projects with young theology students from the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and also pastors from Central America and Mexico, as well as evangelism projects with theology students from OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY. In this period the churches have actively participated in sharing thousands of Bible studies through missionary couples and small groups. Evangelistic projects have been carried out with pastors from the southern union, pastors from the North America division. The Holy Spirit has worked through its church and 1,437 new members have been added through baptisms and profession of faith.
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New Groups and Churches
At the beginning of these five years, we had 25 churches, including companies and groups. At the end of this five-year period, we are now a total of 42. We had the greatest number of status changes in 2020. We all know this year as the difficult year due to the pandemic, however, in 2020 we organized 8 churches and 9 companies, leaving 10 organized groups that will soon be making their change of status. PRAISE THE LORD!
Stewardship
In 2015 the tithe of the Hispanic Churches closed at 1,121,303.28. Five years later at the close of 2020, the tithe of the Hispanic churches closed at 1,683,824.28. this represents a growth of 50.16%. In the year 2020, God blessed us since at the end of the year there was an increase of 18.49% compared to 2019.
Also, as Hispanic Ministry, we have created a series of videos called “treasures in heaven” that contains real testimonies from members of the GSC that are a blessing for those who watch it.
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Church Buildings and Land Acquisitions
Given the growth of Hispanic churches in the territory, the need for places to congregate is evident. In these five years in Hispanic ministry, at the same time that we grew in numbers, temples or lands were bought. Montgomery, Elmore, Fort Walton, Foley, Biloxi, Gulfport, Pascagoula, Waynesboro, Jackson, Forest, are some of those who now meet in their own temples or have a construction project on a lot.
FEJA and Master Guides
The Adventist Youth Federation is an important element in the annual Hispanic ministry planning. We have held events for our youth such as: retreats, camps, sports, evangelism, small groups, and community projects. Between 250 and 300 young people are cared for in each prepared retreat. Also in Hispanic Ministry together with the Youth department, we’ve given a special emphasis to our Youth over 16 years of age, creating 10 clubs of Master Guides who are trained to exercise effective leadership in favor of our churches and it’s children.
Lay Training
Elders, deacons, department leaders, are prepared each year through trainings on how to do a better job for God in the church. We train around 550 leaders each year, in all areas or ministries of the church. In addition, we created ILA (Institute of Adventist Leaders) ILA is our institute through which in two years we will train our brothers who want to be part of the leadership of our churches and consolidate the one we already have. Every two months two classes are received online or in person. They are trained in: church administration, worship, doctrine, preaching, and more.
Women’s Ministry
Each year about 250 women come to receive instruction at our retreats. Topics such as: emotional health, women's health, how to educate children, among others, are presented to the women attending. Women's Ministry also plays an important role in the preaching of the gospel since through them many women come to the feet of the Lord doing evangelism.
Marriage Retreat
We believe in Hispanic ministry that the family is one of the enemy's attack centers at this time. Therefore, consolidating the family was a strategic axis in the five-year period that is ending. Around 150 couples attend a marriage retreat each year together with pastoral families.
Hispanic Camp Meeting
Our Hispanic camp has become a party every year. Since 2019, together with our administration, we decided to make BASS the home of our Hispanic family camps. Children, youth and adults come to our camp to enjoy a program prepared for each one. Around 2000 attendees of all ages come each year.
Future Goals
Among the projections we have for the next five years is:
1. Expansion in unreached territories
2. Retention
3. Retain and work for the second generation
4. Stewardship
5. Creation of own materials to be used in our churches
6. Expand treasures in heaven.
We thank God first of all for giving us the privilege of serving him, our Administration for all the support and support to Hispanic ministry, our pastors who work and tirelessly travel each territory, our laity committed to the work that after working hard for the day, prepare to expand and grow the work. Together we head towards heaven. God continue to bless our churches.