This has been a busy and transitional year for CHM as we have moved toward reestablishing ministries and connections.  We have seen encouraging signs of vibrancy among the Hispanic Friends Churches and in Spanish-speaking ministries more broadly.
     The “Alianza Ministerial Amigos de Norte America” (AMANA – Ministerial Alliance of Friends in North America) sponsored an amazing conference in Chicago, gathering in person for the first time since 2019.  Although we had excellent online conferences during the pandemic restrictions, it was great to get back together and to celebrate the “Relational Church” which was not only our theme for the conference, but also the blessing of our fellowship together.
      Pastors Omar and Arlene Castillo led their church in hosting these representatives from at least 20 different churches from North and Central America.  This was the 26th conference since CHM hosted the first conference in 1997 and it may have been one of the best.  It was also interesting for me to look around the room and to realize how many new people and churches have come in since those early meetings and how many young people – many of whom were not even born when these meetings started – were giving leadership and blessing as the Lord has raised them up and given them gifts to serve others.
      One of the highlights of the conference was the workshop times brought by Pastor Esau Aguilar, who works with an organization called DAI (Development Associates International) and also helps pastor a Friends church in Aguascalientes, Mexico.  He presented sessions on servant leadership that were timely and appropriate given the “Relational Church” theme. 
     After the conference, we began conversations to partner with DAI and Esau in particular to update and expand the ministry of the Instituto ALMA: ALcanzando al Mundo Alrededor to address the leadership needs of the Hispanic Churches today.  You can read more about that conversation here.
      From the keynote messages in the conference, to the meals, to the participation of many young leaders in helping to direct services and ministry, the conference was a success and the Lord worked among us to bring unity and focus.  We thank God for His grace.
     Likewise, in other areas we have seen God’s people gathering for building Hispanic Ministry.  In Ohio, EFC-ER Yearly Meeting sessions included the participation of nearly 200 representatives of the Hispanic Churches as well as good representation of churches made up of other immigrant groups from China, Nepal, and Congo.  What an encouragement that the Church of God can display that the Good News of Jesus is for all peoples!
     With so many things happening in Hispanic Ministry across North America, we are encouraged to be a part of what God is doing.  In the recent Multiplication Conference, Mexican Friends shared their vision to start new churches in order to have churches in each of the 32 states in Mexico.  Jim LeShana mentioned that we need to take on that goal in the U.S.  I pray that we would deliberately start new churches in the U.S. as well and that they would reflect God’s call to the nations.