January 6, 2003
Hispanic Evangelism Conference moves to its own date in San Antonio
___By John Hall
___Texas Baptist Communications
___DALLAS--Armed with an expanded schedule and distinct time and locale, the Hispanic Evangelism Conference is set to have an "eternal impact" on the Texas Hispanic population.
___The meeting, scheduled for Feb. 2-4 at Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio, is no longer merged with the Texas Evangelism Conference, set for Jan. 27-28 at First Baptist Church in Arlington. However, both events will continue to be sponsored by the Baptist General Convention of Texas Center for Strategic Evangelism.
___The move allows BGCT staff to better serve churches around the state and in Mexico who are seeking help with reaching and discipling Hispanics, said Gus Reyes, ethnic evangelism consultant for the BGCT.
___Reyes also believes the move will allow the largest Hispanic evangelism event in Texas to continue to grow beyond the 2,500 people who attended it last year.
___"Just like in Sunday School, separation allows for the growth of both units," he said. "It is exciting to know that the Hispanic Evangelism Conference is the largest training event for Hispanics in Texas today. However, my prayer and dream is that this event will grow to 5,000 in the next few years.
"Spanish-speaking Hispanics will be able to attend an event that is entirely planned for them."
___"Texas is lost. The Hispanic Evangelism Conference is a strategic training event that will help pastors and lay leaders reach lost Hispanics."
___The meeting will have complete Spanish and English tracks to serve all churches that are interested. The English track will focus on reaching third- and fourth-generation Hispanics who live across the state in increasing numbers and will occur simultaneously with Spanish meetings. Translation will be provided for Spanish sermons if desired.
___"Spanish-speaking Hispanics will be able to attend an event that is entirely planned for them," Reyes said. "They won't have to worry about using a translation system. We are also providing a specialized English track for those wanting to learn how best to reach English-speaking Hispanics."
___About 25 workshops are scheduled that cover a variety of evangelistic and discipleship topics. There also will be youth and singles rallies.
___Also featured will be Nicky Cruz, a vocational evangelist whose early years were portrayed in the movie "The Cross and the Switchblade." Cruz will lead an evangelistic worship service Feb. 2 and will preach on discipleship Feb. 3.
___At the request of many past attendees, organizers have added a ministry application to the event. Participants will travel around San Antonio putting their recently acquired knowledge to use by helping area churches reach out to Hispanic residents through evangelistic projects.
___"We want to leave a lasting impact on this city," Reyes said. "Many will come to know Christ. Many Hispanic churches will be left with contact information for new believers or those requesting prayer and Bible study.
___"We are calling 'time out' in order to bless the city with evangelistic efforts such as prayer walking, gospel presentations, praying for the lost in apartment buildings and in local church ministry areas. This is an exciting element of the event."
___Housing will be provided for Mexicans nationals who attend the event.
___For more information about the Hispanic Evangelism Conference, contact Reyes at (214) 828-5118.
___
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