More than 300 participants from 24 churches attended the Pacific District Hispanic Convention in Bakersfield, California, the weekend of May 30. Heritage Bible Church hosted the event.
“It felt like a glimpse of the kingdom,” says Maria Salazar, who serves Plaza Iglesia Cristiana in Bakersfield, in an email after the event. “Generations worshiping side by side, pastors praying over one another, young leaders stepping forward and the Holy Spirit reminding us that our roots are deep, and our table is wide.”
Xavier Piña, president of the Hispanic Council, provided vision, clarity and helped attendees see both where they had come from and where God is calling them to go next.
“His leadership framed the entire weekend — grounding us in Christ and lifting our eyes toward the future God is shaping among us,” Salazar says.
God is not done with the Hispanic church
In the first session of the convention, attendees were called back to the roots of Christ, the Word and pioneers of the faith. Session two invited participants to enlarge the table and make room for new generations, new churches and the faces not yet seated at the table.
“All throughout the weekend, you could feel it: God is not done with the Hispanic church,” Salazar says. “He is strengthening the stakes. He is lengthening the cords. He is enlarging the tent. He is uniting us in purpose and sending us out in mission.
“What happened this weekend was more than an event—it was a holy moment, a reaffirmation of who we are and who we are becoming. A family gathering around a bigger table, rooted in Christ and sent into the world.”
Tony Cisneros of Iglesia Sinai led a youth program over the weekend, encouraging young people to live boldly for Christ. Salazar shares that many youth left with renewed conviction and a deeper sense of belonging to this spiritual family. Children from age 4 to 11 enjoyed dynamic lessons, crafts and activities during the convention as well.
Churches in attendance
Churches in attendance included:
- Primera Iglesia Hispana Ebenezer (Portland, Oregon)
- Iglesia Cristo Es la Respuesta (Arleta, California)
- Iglesia Misión Cristiana Fe y Compasión (Arleta, California)
- Iglesia Aposento Alto (Bakersfield, California)
- Iglesia La Senda Antigua de Bakersfield (Bakersfield, California)
- Iglesia Un Nuevo Comienzo (Bakersfield, California)
- Plaza Iglesia Cristiana (Bakersfield, California)
- Iglesia Adonai MB (Fresno, California)
- Iglesia Hermanos Menonitas West Park (Fresno, California)
- Iglesia Centro Cristiano a las Naciones (Fresno, California)
- Iglesia Primitiva (Fresno, California)
- Iglesia La Gran Comisión (Hanford, California)
- Iglesia Agua Viva (Kingsburg, California)
- Iglesia La Senda Antigua Lancaster (Lancaster, California)
- Iglesia Comunidad Cristiana City Terrace (Los Angeles, California)
- Iglesia La Paz MB (Orosi, California)
- Iglesia Restauración La Senda Antigua (Pacoima, California)
- Iglesia Fuente De Vida (Parlier, California)
- Iglesia de La Comunidad (Raisin City, California)
- Iglesia El Faro Community Church (Reedley, California)
- Iglesia Los Hechos (San Jose, California)
- Iglesia Torre Fuerte (Selma, California)
- Iglesia Sinai (Sun Valley, California)
- Iglesia Templo de Oración (Traver, California)
Salazar says the feedback since the convention’s end has been positive, highlighting the following participant comment: “We didn’t realize what a rich history we have as a Hispanic Council of churches.”
“That sentence alone made the entire gathering worthwhile,” Salazar says. “It means the roots were rediscovered. The story was reclaimed. The identity was strengthened.”
With files provided by Maria Salazar
This article has been posted by Christian Leader staff. The Christian Leader is the magazine of U.S. Mennonite Brethren.
