Hispanic Baptists focus on discipleship at Convencion

MCALLEN—At their annual meeting in McAllen, messengers and guests at the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas focused on becoming passionate disciples of Jesus.

Rolando Rodriguez uses a soccer ball as an illustration in addressing the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas annual meeting in McAllen. (BGCT PHOTOS)The event drew 1,374 registered participants, with 490 serving as messengers from Hispanic Texas Baptist churches. The three-day family event included activities for children and a special track for youth and college students.

“During Convencion, we were challenged to be passionate disciples, taking the Great Commission personally and be faithful to God’s calling in our life,” said Rolando Rodriguez, director of Hispanic ministries for the Baptist General Convention of Texas. “The attendance surpassed our expectation. Without a doubt, God was glorified through this event.”

Newly elected officers of the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas are (left to right) Joel Ake, secretary; Ray Zamora, second vice president; Rolando Aguirre, first vice president; and Bea Mesquias, president.Messengers approved a $65,000 budget for 2015 and re-elected Bea Mesquias from United Baptist Church in Harlingen to a second term as president. Other officers are first vice president, Rolando Aguirre from Calvary Baptist Church in McAllen; second vice president, Ray Zamora from Primera Iglesia Bautista in Donna; and secretary, Joel Ake from Primera Iglesia Bautista in Dallas.

Throughout the event, speakers emphasized the crisis along the Texas/Mexico border, where about 50,000 unaccompanied immigrant children have entered the United States so far this year.

“We were blessed with the wonderful support from the churches in the Rio Grande Valley,” said Jesse Rincones, executive director of the Hispanic Baptist Convention. “We were able to use the occasion of our annual meeting to bring attention, prayer and support for the humanitarian crisis of unaccompanied children that are flooding the valley region.”

Jesse Rincones, executive director of the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas, led the annual meeting in McAllen to focus attention on the humanitarian crisis caused by tens of thousands of unaccompanied immigrant children entering the United States from Central America.During a bilingual session, Albert Reyes, president of Buckner International, spoke on what it means to be a passionate disciple. Drawing from Deuteronomy 6 and Leviticus 9, he emphasized disciples should love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. He encouraged Hispanic Texas Baptists to give reverence, commitment and obedience to Jesus Christ as Creator and Redeemer.

“God took his creative hand, and he made you with a purpose,” Reyes said. “You will never be at your happiest until you know what that is.”

Luis Gabriel Cesar Isunza, pastor of Iglesia Bautista de Ciudad Satelite in Santa Ana Jilotzingo, Mexico, emphasized the non-negotiable attributes of following Jesus.

“God wants to be first above all relationships,” Isunza said, drawing from Luke 14:25-33. “Before you make your plans, you need to take them to the Lord.”