Hispanic pastors invited to ‘co-labor for Christ’ at Southwestern Seminary

Editor’s Note: A Spanish-language version of this article is available here. 

The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary hosted 60 pastors and church leaders from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex for the Hispanic Pastors and Leaders Conference, Nov. 7. In addition to a time of fellowship with other leaders, the conference provided an opportunity for them to hear about how Southwestern Seminary aims to better serve them in their current and future ministries.

Efrain Salcedo, director of the Hispanic Initiative Office at Southwestern Seminary, says there is a growing need for Hispanic pastors to be trained for ministry in the North Texas area, and that Southwestern Seminary is in a unique position to equip Hispanic Christians.

“This event is key because Southwestern Seminary is making it a point to connect to the Hispanic Baptists in the area,” Salcedo says. “As the Hispanic population grows in the DFW area, we want to situate ourselves to be able to equip and help our Hispanic pastors so that they may effectively reach their communities.”

Seminary faculty and staff involved with the conference all expressed a desire to communicate with pastors that the institution exists to partner with them and serve them, and that Southwestern Seminary is “their seminary.”

“Hispanic pastors are looking to see where they feel welcomed,” Salcedo says. “We want to position ourselves in such a way where they are valued, and that is shown through our actions as a welcoming seminary but also through what we offer (our programs and services).”

“We do not want Hispanic Christians to sense we are above them, because the opposite is true,” Salcedo adds. “We desire to come alongside them and help them in their ministry as co-laborers for Christ.”

During the conference, pastors participated in instructional workshops on expository preaching, church planting, and discipleship. Attendees also had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with some of the programs and services available to them at Southwestern Seminary, including the Spanish-language Master of Theological Studies degree (Maestría de Estudios Teológicos).

Jesse Contreras, Hispanic ministries associate at the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, says the conference gathered leaders who are unified in their desire to reach the nations here in Texas, and that God is calling men and women to prepare for this work.

“The Lord is preparing the hearts of Hispanic leaders to confront the challenge of fulfilling the Great Commission and make disciples of all nations,” Contreras says. “Many people within our Hispanic contingency are not aware of the tremendous resource we have with Southwestern Seminary. I have been blessed to work with several professors and students who have used their gifts in leadership and teaching at several of our conferences.”

Oliver Martínez, senior pastor of Iglesia Bautista Getsemaní in Fort Worth, says the conference afforded pastors like him the opportunity to gather together for fellowship, to worship, and to learn more about what Southwestern Seminary has to offer them.

“I think it’s so important because local pastors and leaders need to know more about all the programs and resources available to equip them for vocational ministry,” Martínezsays. “It benefits pastors and leaders because Southwestern Seminary offers excellent opportunities for them to continue with the theological education at an affordable price.”

Daniel Sanchez, distinguished professor of missions, spoke throughout the conference on the need for theological education and church planting.

“The meeting was a truly fruitful event,” Sanchez says. “The participants had an opportunity to be updated on the continuing growth of the Hispanic population and on the degree programs available at Southwestern Seminary. The highlight of the meeting is that [Southwestern Seminary President] Adam W. Greenway addressed the group and assured them of his commitment to lead Southwestern to train unprecedented numbers of Hispanic students for ministry.”

Conference attendees also heard from Philip Levant, pastor of Iglesia Bautista La Vid in Hurst, Texas, and chairman of the board of trustees at Southwestern Seminary. During the conference lunch, he thanked pastors for their churches’ Cooperative Program giving, encouraged them in the work they are already doing, and expressed his hope that Southwestern Seminary will be their home for theological education.

“My hope for the attendees is that they see Southwestern Seminary as ‘their seminary’ and that we are making efforts and serving all our Southern Baptist churches, which includes Hispanic churches,” Levant says. “This was an important event because it invited Hispanic pastors and leaders into our ‘home.’ Opening one’s home goes a long way at making others feel welcome, and continuing to invite them is how the relationships will continue to grow.”