Delegates affirm four recommendations, enjoy praise service
By Connie Faber
Approximately 55 delegates representing seven of the nine Latin America MB (LAMB) District Conference churches attended the annual district business meeting held January 30 at Jesus es mi Paz in Pharr, Texas. LAMB congregations gather annually for a two-part conference. That evening the second portion, the Praise and Worship Conference, drew about 120 people.
The delegates affirmed four recommendations. They passed a district budget of $10,000 and voted to provide funding for the work of two church plants—Iglesia de la Gracia Hermanos Menonitas, a church plant of Mission MB Church at Mile 7 in Mission, and of Grace Point Church @ McAllen, a church plant of Grace Point Church @ Grulla. The ministry of both fledgling congregations would be reviewed in a year. Both church plants are planted in partnership with Misison USA, the USMB church planting and renewal ministry.
Delegates discussed a recommendation about how a gift from MB Foundation, the stewardship ministry of U.S. Mennonite Brethren, should be used. In December 2014, MB Foundation gave each of the five USMB district conferences a one-time gift of $17,000. The recommendation was to give each LAMB congregation $1,000 with the remaining money going to the Strengthening Fund. After discussion, the recommendation passed.
The business conference opened with a time of prayer led by moderator Moises Tagle. Delegates also accepted the statistician’s report. Videos of the two church plants were shown to break up the business sessions. Board members and pastors were recognized at the close of the convention and a prayer of blessing for the pastors and leaders concluded the conference.
Juan Ramon Sanchez (left), preaching pastor and elder at High Pointe Baptist Church in Austin, Texas, was the conference speaker. Sanchez was invited to address the LAMB delegates because of his involvement in the “Nine Marks of a Healthy Church” program. LAMB is using this church health program with conference leaders.
Sanchez also preached at the evening Praise and Worship Conference, the held at the Holiday Inn Express in McAllen, Texas, to accommodate as many people as possible. A team of musicians led by Dennis Hernandez, of Grace Point @ Grulla who had also led a time of worship that afternoon, led congregational singing and worship. Videos from the Mission and McAllen church plants were shown. Aaron Hernandez, pastor of Grace Point, led the communion service.
PHOTOS provided by Moises Tagle
Photo 1: The 2015 LAMB Business Conference began with a time of prayer.
Photo 2: Juan Ramon Sanchez (left), preaching pastor and elder at High Pointe Baptist Church in Austin, Texas, was invited to address the LAMB delegates because of his involvement in the “Nine Marks of a Healthy Church” program.
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