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EULESS—They sang it and they prayed it: “Put in me the same mind that was in Christ … make me a servant for your glory.”
That was the heart cry of the more than 400 people who attended Apoderados Feb. 23-24 at Cross City Church. Apoderados, a conference held each year in conjunction with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention’s Empower Conference, seeks to encourage, equip, and inspire Hispanic believers to evangelize their communities.
This year’s conference emphasized world missions and how followers of Jesus can fulfill the Great Commission locally, nationally, and globally.
Apoderados kicked off with a dinner for pastors and their wives Feb. 23. Charles Grant, the Southern Baptist Convention’s associate vice president for convention advancement and relations, thanked those in attendance for their support through Cooperative Program giving and encouraged Hispanic churches to continue to advance the gospel mission.
“It is not all up to us,” Grant said, “because we have the help and power of the Holy Spirit.”
Chuy Avila, interim pastor of Cross City en Español and an SBTC church planting associate and catalyst, also spoke at the dinner and encouraged the attendees. Referencing 1 Corinthians 12:6, Avila reminded the pastors and their wives that Christians celebrate and suffer together as members of the body of Christ. Avila also led a time of prayer for pastoral families that have been going through delicate health problems.
Additionally, Julio Arriola, director of Send Network SBTC—a church planting partnership between the North American Mission Board (NAMB) and the SBTC—shared statistics of how God is moving in Texas through that effort.
“About two years ago, this alliance between the SBTC and Send Network began, and in that time, about 90 churches have been planted, with the majority of the planters being Hispanic,” Arriola said. He emphasized that all of this has been possible because of the willingness of churches to invest in the kingdom, both through CP giving and as sending churches.
Eloy Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Baptist Network and pastor of Idlewild Hispanic Church in Tampa, Fla., brought an encouraging and challenging message based on Hebrews 12:1-3. He reminded pastors and their wives that life is like a marathon that requires attention to personal health, vigorous training, and a focus on the finish line. He also warned the audience of the importance of staying in their own lane as they run to the finish line, encouraging them to look ahead and not to the sides so they don’t lose focus.
Annel Robayna, Hispanic church mobilization strategist for the International Mission Board, spoke during the Apoderados’ general session on Feb. 24. Referencing the invitation of Psalm 117, he said, “All nations need to know that God has increased His mercy so that all nations will praise Him.” He concluded by inviting attendees to continue giving to cooperative efforts such as the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, as it funds 3,600 missionaries around the world—including 65 who are Hispanic.
“Hispanics can do more,” he said. “God is calling us.”
Martin Gonzalez, a missionary who has served in Mexico and Nepal and who serves as an SBTC People Groups strategist in the Houston area, echoed those sentiments during a breakout session later in the day, saying, “It is more comfortable for us to reach people who speak the same language, but God has called us to reach the nations, and they are reaching us.”
A lunch panel on the final day of the conference focused on opportunities churches have to practice the Great Commission. Regardless of whether churches work toward that mission on a short or longterm basis, Bruno Molina—SBTC’s language and interfaith evangelism associate—said it is a responsibility of all believers.
“We are all missionaries and we must live as sent ones,” he said. “The SBTC can provide many opportunities to do so: helping, praying, and giving.”
