Hispanics in the U.S. and Canada

A few years ago, members of the USA/Canada Hispanic Strategy Committee adopted a theme for the new millennium that is still valid today: A new day.

Since then, every year has been a new day for Hispanic ministries in the U.S. and Canada. A good example is the Hispanic presence at M7. The Hispanic leadership expected an attendance of 50-75 people, but more than 100 Hispanics traveled to this great event.

In addition to the many English-speaking workshops, four Spanish workshops are being offered by four pastors from the U.S. and Canada. Tuesday morning, Pedro Julio Fernandez, a pastor from Toronto, dictated the workshop “Come and See,” where he described the discipleship method he is using in his church and other Hispanic churches in Toronto. Obed Jauregui similarly presented a workshop entitled “Morir para Fructificar,” meaning the seed must first die in order to produce fruit – a compelling description of his ministry in the Miami area.

On Wednesday, there will be two additional pastors sharing the secrets of their successful ministries: Hugo Melvin Aldana, pastor of Grace Hispanic Church in Lynwood, Los Angeles, and Leonel de Leon, pastor of the First Hispanic Church of Kansas City.

Hispanics attending M7 reflect the “new day” for the Church of the Nazarene in the U.S. and Canada. Additional meetings are being held regarding ministerial education, church growth, and communications with an emphasis in literature for the specific need of the growing Hispanic constituency in more than 400 USA/Canada congregations.