Congreso draws more than 6,000 students to Baylor campus

WACO—About 900 students stepped away from their chairs and walked down aisles to the front of Baylor University's Ferrell Center to make a commitment to Christ during Congreso, the Hispanic youth conference. The walk forward was more than a change of location; it was a change of life.

"We continue seeing kids moved by the Spirit," said Frank Palos, director of Hispanic evangelism efforts for the Baptist General Convention of Texas. "That's what it's all about."

Of the 900 decisions for Christ recorded at the event, about 300 were young people embracing the hope of Christ for the first time, and 90 people felt called to vocational ministry. More than 6,000 students attended the conference.

At the front of the arena, students prayed with youth group leaders. Tears flowed down the faces of some of those whose lives were changing, as well as those who had spiritually nurtured them. Youth circled their friends who made spiritual decisions, to pray over them.

This scene is why God brought students to Congreso, said Tiny Dominguez, pastor of Community Heights Baptist Church in Lubbock. God is calling people to have a relationship with him, he said.

"It was God's plan for you to be here because his desire is for you to know he loves you," Dominguez said during a worship session. "I don't care what you look like. I don't care how the world treats you. I don't care what sins you brought to this place. Jesus loves you. And his love will never fail."

Juan Contreras, youth director at Primera Iglesia Bautista in McAllen, said by turning to Jesus, teenagers can find the answer to three basic questions they are asking: Who am I? Where am I going? Where do I belong?

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Seeking answers for those questions led Contreras initially down a life of alcohol abuse late in his teen years and into his 20s. He got into fights, and he indulged sexually. He committed never to let anyone hurt him.

"I served my flesh, my desires, my lust," he said.

Then he embraced Christ as Lord. "That decision ultimately changed my life—not only the outside, but the inside too," he said.

Contreras urged young people to commit their lives to God and follow him exclusively. He of-fered an invitation, and young people flooded forward, filling the stage and spilling onto the arena floor.

"Life in (Christ) is the best life," Contreras said.

The scene of multitudes of young people deciding to follow Christ thrilled Christina Gaona, Baylor event manager who previously had attended Congreso as a student.

"It's exciting," she said. "It's a good opportunity to have lots of students on our campus. It's a good ministry and partnership with the Baptist General Convention of Texas."

Hispanic young people join in prayer and worship at Congreso, held on the Baylor University campus. (PHOTOS/John Hall/BGCT)

Julio Guarneri, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in McAllen, said his congregation brought a group of 30 students. During Congreso, one made a profession of faith, several volunteered for leadership positions within the youth group and several more asked to be baptized.

"I think Congreso has the potential of igniting a flame in a generation of young people who can really make a difference in our state and around the world," Guarneri said. "It can turn into a movement of students who are on mission."

Among the first places students took their faith was to 10 Waco mission projects, where they shared the hope of Christ.

Students also gave more than $10,000 through an offering taken during Congreso—about $7,000 for college scholarships and more than $3,800 for a Congreso summer missions team.

"Congreso is not an event," Palos said. "It's an experience. What happens at Congreso doesn't stay at Congreso. It's my heart prayer that Congreso impacts the local church—whether it's by encouraging a pastor who sees students serving the Lord, students who serve in their local church or a student who shares the gospel with their friends at school."