Hispanic celebration of ethnicity is sign of good things to come

By Kirk Noonan

More than 1,300 attended the Hispanic Celebration of
Ethnicity held at the Adam’s Mark Hotel Friday afternoon.
The event is a reflection of the rise of Latino ministry
in the AG.

More than 1,300 people attended the Hispanic Celebration of Ethnicity on Friday afternoon at the Adam Mark Hotel’s Plaza ballroom. The gathering was punctuated by intense times of praise and worship, looking back on the heritage of Hispanics in the Assemblies of God, celebrating the present, and looking toward the future.

The theme of the meeting was fittingly: Remembering the past and forging for the future. If the past is any indication, the future for the Hispanic movement in the AG looks very bright.

According to a recent report, 65.6 percent of overall growth in the AG was Hispanic. “The growth is about the kingdom of God,” Thomas E. Trask, general superintendent of the AG, told those gathered before challenging them to continue to evangelize. “If you ever lose the awareness of the lost we’re in trouble. I plead with you – the segment of the Fellowship that is growing exponentially – to maintain your passion for the lost.”

Trask went on to implore the crowd to continue to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit for those who have yet to experience the infilling as it, he believes, will be crucial to continued growth.

The first celebration of Hispanic ethnicity was held at the 2,000 Celebration five years ago. Efraim Espinoza, General Council coordinator for the event, said the gathering was an encouragement to Hispanics in the Fellowship.

“We are a growing entity in the General Council,” he said, noting that all eight Hispanic districts were represented at the meeting. “This gives us a little visibility and shows Hispanics that the General Council is opening doors for us to continue to develop.”

Rich, powerful songs of praise and worship filled the Adam’s
Mark Hotel Plaza ballroom as the Hispanic Celebration of
Ethnicity got underway Friday.

Jesse Miranda, director of the Hispanic Ethnic Celebration, called the service a “historical Pentecostal moment.” Indeed.

At one point a video was shown that documented the rise of Latino ministry in the AG. Viewers saw the pioneering ministers who laid the groundwork for the explosion of growth that is taking place today.

Ruben Guajardo, a minister from Albuquerque, New Mexico, preached a rousing message. “There are more than 50 million people in the AG worldwide,” he said. “We can’t imagine how big it is going to get if the Lord tarries.”

Guajardo’s message ended with a standing ovation for God.

As it well should have as God is and continues to bless the Hispanic church in the AG.