The meeting, which attracted more than 250 Hispanic church leaders in its sixth year, is now named the Send North America National Hispanic Evangelism and Mobilization Conference in conjunction with NAMB's unfolding church-planting initiative.
Conference organizer Joshua Del Risco, national coordinator for NAMB's church mobilization team, said pastors and other convention leaders were enthusiastic participants.
"Numerically the conference was a success," Del Risco said. "We surpassed our goal for participation; we surpassed our goal for Send North America registration; but more than that, we saw connections and networking among pastors and convention staff from across the continent."
Conference presentations, sessions and discussions focused on reaching the 50.5 million-plus Hispanics in the United States and the 400,000 Hispanics in Canada -- in particular, reaching the second and third generations.
In addition to NAMB, the International Mission Board and LifeWay Christian Resources also participated in the conference.
The opening session began with a special viewing of the Spanish-language edition of the "Courageous" film. Following the film, attendees participated in a time of commitment and prayer.
Several pastors and convention leaders were among the conference speakers, including Rudy Gonzalez, dean of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary's William R. Marshall Center for Theological Studies, and Gus Reyes, director of the Hispanic education initiative/affinity ministries for the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
"During the meeting we identified 34 Hispanic church planting centers across the convention and initiated a Hispanic church planting center network," Del Risco said. "It is evident that Hispanic leaders are eager to continue to impact lostness in North America."
Reported by the communications staff of the North American Mission Board.
Copyright (c) 2012 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press www.BPNews.net
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