A Brief History of the Hispanic Bapist Convention

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A Brief History of theHispanic BapistConvention

• Prepared for ABCOSH by the Rev. José Menéndez,
  2008

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ORIGIN OF THE HISPANIC BAPTIST CONVENTION
ABC - USA
ABCPSW -1901- 51 Hispanic Churches

• ABCLA
• (LBCMS)
• -1904-
• 60 Hispanic
• Churches

Baptist Mexican Conventión is organized 1923-24,
as a Fraternity group of both Regions
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PURPOSES OF THE CONVENTION

• Meeting to organize the Hispanic Mexican
  Convention in 1920s

In 1922 The Hispanic Mexican Convention is
formed as a Fraternity of Hispanic Churches
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PURPOSES OF THE CONVENTION

• Was organized by Baptist pastors.
• Under Baptist principles.
• Even though not recognized officially by
  ABCUSA, it was considered a part of it.
• The Convention worked in common agreement with
  both Regions.
• The Conventions ministry did not replace the
  ministry of both Regions.
• However, ABCUSA and the Regions recognized only
  the Hispanic Caucus.

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PURPOSES OF THE CONVENTION

• The Convention had the privilege of selecting a
  representative to the Hispanic Caucus.
• They formed in common agreement a Pastoral
  Relations Committee to help in the ordination
  process and other pastoral issues.
• Their president was part of the leadership in
  MANY Regional committees.
• They formed Ministers Councils in different
  areas of both Regions.
• They established the Baptist Social Center, which
  was supported by ABCUSA, and NM.
• They formed a Pastors and Wives fellowship.
• The American Baptist Theological Center was
  created, with funds from ABCLA, NM, ABCPSW and
  was administered by the Convention.

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Major Division Of The Convention
In 1989 they wanted to create 'The Strategy' in
both Regions

• ABCLA
• -1904-
• 60 Hispanic Churches

ABCPSW -1901- 51 Hispanic Churches

The Convention proposed to eliminate Area
Ministers from both Regions , have their own
Executive Minister, and be recognized by ABCUSA
David Luna
Enrique Torres
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DIVISION IN THE HISPANIC BAPTIST CONVENTION

• This intent divided the Hispanic Convention in
  
• BOTH Regions and the Hispanic Area Ministers,
  
• Dr. David Luna (ABCPSW) and Dr. Enrique Torres
  
• (ABCLA) .
• The Area Ministers supported this purpose but
  the proposal failed ultimately because the
  intention
  was to ELIMINATE the Hispanic Area
  Ministers.
• The Hispanic Convention suffered a big division
• among Hispanic Churches who supported the
• Regions.
• The Leadership continued with tensions.
• A decision was made to separate in August,
  2007.

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CONSEQUENCES OF THE DIVISION

• The Convention now accepts TM Churches, but they
  accept only Congregational Churches.
• Churches have to pay a fee to joint the
  Convention and a 0.5 of the net income of
  churches.
• The fund to help students at ABTC ( 532,000
  given by ABCUSA Ministries) is unsupervised.
• Laity participation from Churches will be less
  among youth, men, and women.
• The unity of more than 85 years is divided.
• Only 23 churches five from TM, 6 from ABCOSH and
  12 from ABCLA have joined the Hispanic
  Convention.
• There is now no Pastoral Relations committee.
• There is now no participation in the ordination
  process.

more . . .
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Consequences of the Division

• There is now no representaton to the Hispanic
  Caucus from the Convention.
• They cannot now participate with delegates or
  leaders in Regional affairs.
• Their Ministers Councils will not cover ABCLA
  ABCOSH churches and pastors.
• The Social Service Center has lost support from
  ABC churches.
• The Pastors Wives Fellowship is only for churches
  from the Convention.
• The Region has had to start ministries with men,
  women, youth in the other Hispanic Churches.

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Sources of information

• History of ABCPSW.
• History of ABCLA.
• History of Hispanic Mexican Convention.
• Libro de Diamantes Hispanic History.
• Files of ABTC.
• Files of Hispanic Convention in ABCLA.
• Files of Hispanic Convention.
• Minutes from Hispanic Convention.
• El Centinela magazine Hispanic Convention News.
• History of Hispanic Baptist Churches un USA.
• National Ministries Hispanic/Latino Heritage.

Note This presentation is for information only,
and is based on research b y Dr. Menendez.. Dr.
Menendez is a Regional Resource Minister for
ABCLA and is also assigned to work with Hispanic
churches in ABCOSH.