The Latin America Mennonite Brethren Conference (LAMB) held its convention and worship during two days in January and February.
LAMB gathered for the business portion of its convention Jan. 19, 2019, at Mission (Texas) MB Church. Seventy-two people representing nine churches gathered for the event.
Delegates voted unanimously to amend the conference constitution’s policy regarding the buying and selling of church property. The change requires churches to receive approval from the conference executive board before buying or selling church property to ensure compliance with federal regulations.
Moises Tagle gave a TUMI report, and delegates heard success stories from students of the program. The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI) is the national training arm of World Impact, and the LAMB satellite, hosted by Mission MB Church, is among the more than 250 satellite locations in 17 countries. TUMI’s Capstone Curriculum is a 16-module training program, taught at a seminary level and specifically designed to provide essential knowledge and skills necessary for effective ministry and church leadership.
In other business, delegates passed a budget of $9,500, including funding for TUMI, funding for a two-night retreat for pastors and their wives in October, funding for conference representatives and funding for life insurance for pastors.
Delegates elected Lucila Mireles as MCC representative, and Melissa Gutierrez as Tabor board representative.
The Mission MB youth group led worship at the event.
“Here at the LAMB conference, we’re excited,” says conference chair Joaquin Gutierrez. “We had a good year, working with the pastors so we can unite together and work together for his kingdom. Pray for us as we continue the process of uniting pastors and churches. May God guide us in everything that we do.”
LAMB gathered a second time for a worship conference Feb. 1 at La Joya (Texas) MB Church, where the La Joya worship team led attendees in singing.
Joaquin Gutierrez welcomed attendees and praised God for the opportunity to have fellowship together. Vice-chair Logee Salazar prayed and led the offering.
Josue Contreras, pastor at La Joya, was the speaker. His message, “You can help to build the church,” was based on Eph. 4:13-16. He emphasized the importance of everyone using their gifts in the church.
Jesse Hernandez, pastor of Iglesia Nueva Vida in Palmview, Texas, served communion.
Pastor Rafael Nunez of Mission MB prayed for members of the LAMB governing board, and refreshments were served after the conference.
Janae Rempel Shafer is the Christian Leader associate editor. She joined the CL staff in September 2017 with six years of experience as a professional journalist. Shafer is an award-winning writer, having received three 2016 Kansas Press Association Awards of Excellence and an Evangelical Press Association Higher Goals award in 2022. Shafer graduated from Tabor College in 2010 with a bachelor of arts in Communications/Journalism and Biblical/Religious Studies. She and her husband, Austin, attend Ridgepoint Church in Wichita, Kansas.
