Posted: 4/16/04
Dine on the sweet bread of life, speakers urge at Congreso
By John Hall
Texas Baptist Communications
SAN ANTONIO–Speakers challenged more than 3,700 young people to dine on the “pan dulce” of Jesus–the sweet bread of life–at the Texas Baptist Hispanic Youth and Singles Congreso.
Gregg Matte, founder of Breakaway Ministries in College Station and pastor-elect of First Baptist Church in Houston, encouraged the young people to act on the principles of their faith. God wants to work in amazing ways if Christians will follow him whole-heartedly, he said.
| Daniel "Tiny" Dominguez, youth minister at Iglesia Bautista Getsemani in Fort Worth, called on young people at the 40th annual Congreso to see God's blessings and accept his direction for their lives. |
God not only will work through believers, but also will shower blessings on them, Matte added.
“It's walking with Jesus,” he said. “It's dining on the sweet bread. It's saying, 'Jesus, I want you to do something through me.' That's living the fabulous life.”
Walking in faith may be “fabulous,” but it often goes unnoticed, he said.
Many times believers will not be recognized for their personal Bible studies, worship or moral stands.
Christians must persevere, Matte urged. Small actions strengthen a believer's spiritual life. A strong spiritual life leads Christians to reach out to non-believers. Those actions are noticed and sometimes lead to opportunities to share the gospel.
Matte reminded the crowd of Baruch, a scribe mentioned in the Old Testament book of Jeremiah. Baruch wrote the words God gave Jeremiah, playing the simple role of a scribe without much fanfare, but he held an integral role in delivering God's message, Matte said. The same small but important roles are lived out by Christians today.
“God calls specific people to strategic locations for significant reasons,” he said. “It's not an accident you live where you live.”
| See Related Article: Time a matter of perspective, minister says |
Because their faith often goes unnoticed, some Christians tend to see only bad circumstances around them, overlooking God's blessings, said Daniel “Tiny” Dominguez, youth minister at Iglesia Bautista Getsemani in Fort Worth.
“It's funny how we look at our lives and never see the blessing of God,” Dominguez said during the event, sponsored by the BGCT Center for Strategic Evangelism. He encouraged the audience to examine their lives and faith. He called them to love God and follow his desires.
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| Greg Matte leads a time of prayer and commitment during the Texas Baptist Hispanic Youth and Singles Congreso in San Antonio. More than 180 people made professions of faith in Christ. |
Young people flocked to the altar and filled aisles to commit their lives to Christ following the messages. More than 180 people declared faith in Christ for the first time. More than 200 rededicated themselves to following God. About 135 said they feel called to vocational ministry for the first time.
More than 900 people participated in mission projects throughout San Antonio. Most groups distributed Christian material in neighborhoods. Some led backyard Bible studies. One team painted portions of a church.
Fabian Ramirez, president of the 40th annual Congreso, said the meeting met the needs of the participants. The messages, projects and seminars provided information that the young people can use in their churches.
“Youth are responding to the messages,” Ramirez said. “People are worshipping like they're hungry, and they're being fed.”
The crowd also gave more than $2,200 for college scholarships to assist Hispanic Baptist students.
Scholarship recipients are: Travis Cuellar of Primera Iglesia Bautista in San Antonio; Mariam Haro of Templo Bautista Emmanuel in Fort Worth; Steve Gonzales of La Promesa Baptist Church in San Antonio; Jose Alvarenga of Mission Bautista West End in Houston; Ruth Alonzo of Segunda Iglesia Bautista in San Marcos; Maribel Santamaria of Nueva Esperanza in Houston; Nereida Ceniceros of Mission Nueva Vida in Brownwood.
Also receiving the scholarship are Crystal Amaya of Primera Iglesia Bautista in Weatherford; Amanda Nino of Antioquia Baptist Church; Albert Ruiz of El Pueblo de Dios in Dallas; Jacqueline Sotelo of La Promesa Baptist Church in San Antonio; Angelica Ramos of Iglesia Bautista Grace in Houston; Andy Arango of Iglesia Bautista Getsemani in McAllen.
Others earning scholarships are Yvette Mata of La Promesa Baptist Church of San Antonio; Angel Rodriguez of La Promesa Baptist Church; Shawn Gamiochipi of Iglesia Bautista Hispana Unida in Houston; Anita Molina of Sunny Slope Baptist Church in San Antonio; Amaris Castellon of University Baptist Church in Huntsville; Clara Herrera of Primera Iglesia Bautista in Eldorado; Victor Morales of Iglesia Bautista Ebenezer in Dallas.
Scholarships also were awarded to Brook Burelsmith of Morning Star Baptist Church in Abilene; Rosalinda Vara of Iglesia Bautista Grace in Houston; Maria Torres of Nueva Vida in Greenville; Matthew Gonzales of Primera Iglesia Bautista in Edinburg; John Cantu of Primera Iglesia Bautista in New Braunfels; Maria Hernandez of Iglesia Bautista Nueva Esperanza in Pasadena.
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