Houston-area Latino association broadens its vision

(Photo / Sarath Kuchi / CC BY-SA 2.0)

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The AsociaciĆ³n Bautista Latino Americana knows its efforts now can prepare Houston-area churches for better outcomes later.

With expectations Hispanics will make up 60 percent of Houstonā€™s population in 2050, the association met recently at Baptist University of the AmĆ©ricas in San Antonio to cast a vision for the future.

Since Hispanics already make up a large portion of Houstonā€™s diverse population, the 52 Hispanic Baptist churches that are part of ABLA need to do more, said Bulmaro Luna, elected this year as the associationā€™s executive director.

ABLA officially was organized as an independent association distinct from Union Baptist Association in 2003. The association has its own board of directors and budget, and it creates its own resources, Luna explained.

Many churches in the association already have developed networks to serve the community, but ABLA must do more to facilitate collaboration, he insisted.

Focus on discipleship and church starting

The association plans to focus on two areasā€”making disciples and planting churches, he said.

Pastor Johnnie Musquiz teaches a Christian ethics class at the Baptist Bible Institute at Iglesia Bautista Houston. (Photo / Isa Torres)

ā€œThe motto of ABLA is ā€˜to make disciples,ā€™ and with more disciples, we should also plant more new churches,ā€ Luna said.

Through theological institutes in Houstonā€”like the ones he and pastor Johnnie Musquiz leadā€”the association can prepare more people for Christian service, with a particular focus on discipleship and starting churches, Luna said.

The association also wants to respond to pastorsā€™ emotional, physical and financial needs, he noted. A new ministry for pastoral care ABLA plans to implement this year will offer resources for pastors to find health insurance through networks like GuideStone, and also will coach ministers to budget for emergencies, retirement and other savings, he said.


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Modeled after Texas Baptists, ABLA has created a network of ministry departments that range from missions and evangelism to pastoral counseling and the regional UniĆ³n Femenil Misionera, he said.

ā€œThe association is essential for Houston, a very big city where there are a lot of Hispanics,ā€ Luna said. ā€œIf the purpose of the association is to work together, then we must come together as churches, as an association.ā€

Catalyst for collaboration

To broaden the associationā€™s vision, Luna scheduled its most recent board meeting in San Antonio, so members could learn more about BUA, the Hispanic Baptist Convention and UniĆ³n Femenil Misionera.

ā€œHispanic churches like to collaborate together, but sometimes someone needs to start the process,ā€ Luna said. ā€œThis is what we must do to be able to do the work we have been called to do.ā€

As executive director of ABLA, Luna believes it is his responsibility to enhance communication and establish connections between available resources and Houston area churches involved in a variety of effective ministries.

ā€œWe do have to start from the relationship we have with God and from the vision God has given us,ā€ Luna said. ā€œEverything begins there, and if we seek to have a good relationship with God, then we will also seek to have a good relationship with others.ā€


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