Three Hispanic evangelism conferences draw 3,400 participants

SAN ANTONIO—Evangelist Herman Rios urged people to give their lives to Christ. And that’s what they did at a Hispanic Evangelism Conference at South San Filadelfia Baptist Church in San Antonio.

Event organizers recorded more than 250 decisions for Christ—including 147 professions of faith and 11 who felt called to vocational ministry—during Texas Baptists’ three Hispanic Evangelism Conferences, one each in Houston, El Paso and San Antonio during February.

“God’s still at work,” said Johnnie Musquiz, pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista in Houston. “It’s a thrill for a church to see.”

The Hispanic Evangelism Conference, sponsored by the Baptist General Convention of Texas, has expanded in recent years from a single event in Houston. Organizers added a second conference in San Antonio three years ago. This year marked the first Hispanic Evangelism Conference in El Paso.

“There’s inspiration and training brought to their backyard,” said Hispanic Evangelism Director Frank Palos. “Economic constraints have made it difficult for people to get out of where they are. So, we’re coming to them, bringing much-needed evangelism training.”

Despite having to cancel one day of the Houston event due to bad weather, about 3,400 people attended the three events. Conference participants also gave $3,145 to missions through local ministries and the Texas Baptist Cooperative Program.

BGCT President Victor Rodriguez, pastor of South San Filadelfia Baptist Church, noted the conference in San Antonio reminded him of one- and two-week-long church revivals that took place when he was a child. Volunteers from South San Filadelfia Baptist Church, San Antonio Baptist Association and the BGCT eagerly prepared, excited to see how God would work. Volunteers were prepared to begin follow up with those who made spiritual decisions.

“Evangelism is still alive and well. That’s the core. That’s what’s going to move our churches, our convention,” he said.