March 3, 2003
CBF developing partnership with Texas Hispanics
___ATLANTA--Hispanic Baptist Theological School and the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas will partner with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship to start 400 Hispanic churches in the United States and train 400 Hispanic Baptist church leaders.
___The two Texas Hispanic entities have given preliminary approval to a partnership agreement with the CBF, based in Atlanta. The agreement was ratified by the CBF Coordinating Council Feb. 22. Final votes on the matter are scheduled for the CBF generalassembly and the Hispanic Baptist Convention annual meeting, both in June.
Antonio Estrada
___"This partnership is about the future," said Antonio Estrada, president of the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas. "The Hispanic population in this country continues to grow, and I don't want to offend you, but studies show that our Anglo Baptist brothers are aging. That's why this is so important. We have a future together."
___Estrada led a delegation of Texans at the CBF Coordinating Council meeting. Micaela and Rudy Comacho of Fort Worth and Javier Elizondo of San Antonio joined him in addressing the group.
___"Our students need to know the kind of Baptist that CBF is, and CBF needs to know our students," said Elizondo, academic dean for the seminary. "I see it as a justice issue. You believe in justice. Hispanics deserve the best in theological education. I look forward to reaching that goal together."
___Through the partnership, HBTS will provide training and leadership development for Hispanic pastors and churches as well as continuing educational opportunities for those already serving. The seminary also will lead conferences on how to reach Hispanics.
___The Fellowship already maintains a network of Hispanic churches and has partnered on several projects among Hispanic Baptists. This agreement represents a formalizing of long-standing relationships, said Bill Bruster, CBF coordinator of networks and partnerships.
___"A partnership has to be good for everybody, or isn't good for anybody," he added. "This partnership can be a win-win for everybody."
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