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FORT WORTH—Apoderados, the Spanish-language evangelism event organized by the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention and held in conjunction with the annual Empower Conference, brought together Hispanic leaders from across the state with a clear message: Evangelism is not optional—it is the very essence of the church.
Approximately 175 pastors and their wives gathered for a special dinner on Friday night, Feb. 20, followed by 520 attendees on Saturday for general sessions and practical workshops. Worship during the conference was led by the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Cántico Nuevo praise team.
On Friday, SBTC En Español Director Luis González shared a strategic vision related to the upcoming FIFA World Cup soccer championships, which is estimated to attract millions of visitors to the state. González said he sees the event not simply as a sporting celebration, but as an unprecedented mission field. To this end, the SBTC will be offering training for churches.
The evening was hosted by González and Bruno Molina, executive director of the National Hispanic Baptist Network. SBTC Associate Executive Director Joe Lightner was also present, thanking Hispanic leadership and highlighting how the conference reflects the heart of the convention.
“Here you will experience resources, connection, and the advancement of the mission together,” Lightner said. “All of this mobilization is possible thanks to the generosity of our churches through the Cooperative Program. Thank you for giving so that we can mobilize churches and have an impact throughout Texas and beyond.”
Send Network SBTC Hispanic catalyst Eddie Lopez addressed the church planting teams present, reminding them that Texas continues to have the highest number of church plants in the country. He encouraged leaders to continue developing sending churches.
What sustains ministry
Friday’s main message was presented by pastor and church planter Adrián Amézquita, who spoke about Mark 1:35–39 under the theme, “What sustains ministry.”
“Ministry can drain us when everyone thinks we are full,” he said.
Amézquita warned about the danger of activism without God’s presence. In an environment marked by urgency and constant demand, Jesus modeled something different: setting aside time to pray. “Public power is born of private presence,” Amézquita said.
Amézquita reminded attendees that ministerial pressure can sometimes cause leaders to feel indispensable. “When we believe we are the savior, we stop seeking the Savior,” he said. Many leaders, he explained, fail not because of a lack of talent, but because of spiritual exhaustion.
His final call was clear: before we “do,” we must “be” with the Lord. Before we are shepherds, we are sheep, he said.
Evangelism in the present day
On Saturday, a lunchtime panel composed of several pastors, speakers, and SBTC staff members addressed the topic, “Exercising evangelism and mission in today’s world.” The conversation highlighted contemporary challenges facing the church, including moral relativism, growing technological dependence, cultural skepticism, and generational change in the way faith is processed.
The panelists agreed that although culture changes, God’s message does not. The gospel remains the power of God for salvation. However, the church must communicate it with clarity, conviction, and cultural sensitivity. It was emphasized that evangelism cannot be limited to special events, but a call for every believer to share their faith.
Defending faith in a skeptical culture
On Saturday morning, apologist Jorge Gil presented teachings under the theme, “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist,” inspired by the book of the same name.
Gil addressed fundamental questions about truth, the existence of God, and the historical reliability of Jesus’ resurrection. During a time when younger generations turn to artificial intelligence to resolve spiritual doubts, Gil emphasized the need for an informed and well-founded faith.
During his second session, “The Resurrection of Jesus: Christianity Case Solved,” Gil stressed that Christianity does not rest on feelings, but on verifiable historical facts. The church, he said, must be prepared not only to proclaim the gospel, but to defend it with gentleness and clarity.
Equipped to move forward
Apoderados workshops offered practical tools for mission. Humberto González, Hispanic pastor of First Baptist Dallas, spoke about biblical models of discipleship and evangelistic growth for the church.
“If a church wants to grow, it must make more disciples, and for that, Sunday school continues to be the model to follow,” he said.
José and Natalie Arzate shared strategies for reaching generations Z and Alpha. The work does not end with simply reaching those generations, but instead, continue in a process of making disciples.
“If discipleship does not result in a transformed life, it is not biblical discipleship,” Arzate said.
Clara Molina addressed cultural lies that affect women and how they can defend biblical truth with love and respect. “In order to defend something, we first need to know God’s truth,” she said.
Apoderados concluded with a powerful reminder: Evangelism is not a passing strategy, but the identity of the church sent by Christ. In the face of historic opportunities and cultural challenges, the call is clear—depend on the Lord, proclaim the gospel, and move forward with faithfulness.
