April 24, 2024
AUGUSTA, Ga. - The Hispanic Preaching Conference for the 200th Anniversary of the Georgia Baptist Convention, titled “Forward, we are not done yet” and based on Philippians 3:14, will be held on Monday, Nov. 14, from 8am to 4pm at Warren Baptist Church, 3203 Washington Road, Augusta, Georgia, 30907.
Rev. Rafael Valter, Second Vice President of the GBC and pastor at Iglesia Bautista Agape in Stone Mountain, tells that, “Ricky Thrasher (who leads Associational Missions and Convention Planning for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board) put me in contact with Pastor Lane Lowery, executive pastor at Warren Baptist Church. Pastors Santander, Mendoza, Cardoza, Texmaye, and I headed to Augusta late in June to meet him. Pastor Lane treated us to lunch and then proceeded to take us on a tour of his church. The church is massive and wants for nothing, but what really amazed me was the humility and heart of pastors Lane and David McKinley; the church was vibrant, full of brothers, sisters, and pastors from all over the area on a Monday nonetheless! This church is the center of life in this city, and we immediately fell in love with it, we are thankful to the Lord for bringing us together for this event.”
There will be a $10 charge that includes a 3-course lunch, the conference, and breakout sessions.
Our Master of Ceremonies will be Rev. Daniel Santander pastor of La Iglesia at Johnson Ferry in Marietta, Ga.
The worship will be led by the Worship Team of Iglesia Bautista Nueva Vida en Cristo, Conyers, pastored by Rev. Adrián Zaragoza
Featured speakers will include:
Traveling from the Dominican Republic, Rev. Otto Sánchez M.A., President of the Dominican Baptist Theological Seminary and Pastor of Iglesia Bautista Ozama for more than 25 years
Traveling from Oklahoma, Dr. Julio Crespo, NAMB champion for the Southeast of the U.S and Pastor of Iglesia Bautista Central in Oklahoma City, Ok.
And of course, the locals:
Rev. Rafael Valter M.A., Second Vice President of the Georgia Baptist Convention and Pastor of Iglesia Bautista Ágape in Stone Mountain, Ga.
Dr. Alex Cosio, Vice President of the GBC 2021 and Member of the GBC Executive Committee, Lead Pastor of Iglesia Bautista Nuevo Horizonte in Woodstock, Ga.
And last but not least, Dr. Rubén Torres, who will be nominated to the Vice Presidency of the GBC 2023 and Pastor of Iglesia Bautista Victoria en Cristo in Riverdale, Ga.
The Hispanic GBMB representatives for all regions will be present: Rev. Ovidio Cabrera representing the South regions, Rev. David Cardoza representing the Central regions and Rev. Daniel Santander representing the Northern regions.
There will be representation from all the Georgia Hispanic Baptist ministries including the Woman’s Missionary Union (UFM in Spanish), and GBMB Hispanic Pastor’s Wives. Many pastors of the Hispanic churches of Georgia and surrounding states have committed to participate in the event.
Finally, there will also be five simultaneous breakouts of 30-40 minutes featuring Dr. Ricardo Sánchez, Director of Hispanic Ministries at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary; Rev. Oscar Pozo, dean at Berea School of Ministry; Rev. Ariel Irizarry, Director of Marketing at Lifeway; Rev. Rafael Canadá of Connect Global; and a breakout featuring a representative from the Bible Training Center for Pastors.
Rev. Erick Delgado pastor at Comunidad Bautista La Cosecha, points out that, “Once again, we are given the opportunity to praise together and to be prepared for the work of ministry with the Word of God thru to the GBC Hispanic Preaching Conference 2022. Once again, we are summoned as one church, one body, in unity, and one objective in Jesus Christ. The best way to thank God for this blessing is to go with a heart set on walking in the plans that God has set forth for His Church. It will be an excellent time of Spiritual enrichment and a challenge to strain toward what is ahead.”
“Wow, our GBC 200th anniversary!” adds Rev. Jorge Rodriguez pastor of La Primera Iglesia Bautista de Marietta. “What a wonderful opportunity to share with our brothers and sisters from all cities in Georgia and other states! To be held in our birthplace, Augusta Georgia, I sure hope to see everyone there!”
“We are thankful to God for all the support we have received from associations, churches and pastors but especially from director Dr. Thomas Hammond and all of the staff at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, we love them and truly appreciate all of the work they do,” said Rev. Rafael Valter.
