Mission bytes
ABHMS’ Latino Ministries holds Zoom meeting about ministering to immigrants
Twenty-eight American Baptists from Puerto Rico and across the United States—including Indiana, Florida, Puerto Rico, Wisconsin and Illinois—participated recently in the “Desafíos de una pastoral para el inmigrante/Challenges of Pastoral Care for the Immigrant” meeting via Zoom, sponsored by American Baptist Home Mission Societies’ (ABHMS) Latino Ministries.
Participant Jessica Torres said she is seeking support to start an organization that supports immigrants in Indianapolis.
“We know there is a great need for this in this state, as the Latino population is growing,” Torres said. “We want to serve our people in the best possible way.”
Another participant commented that it became apparent that participants are not alone in their projects to minister to immigrants:
“We must have allies from other denominations and organizations. It is key to identify within organizations who is the ideal person to lead.”
Positive consequences continue from bridgebuilders training
When instructors provide training events to groups of people, they can only hope that their message will be heard and implemented and that positive effects will continue long after the event has ended. That’s just what happened when American Baptist Home Mission Societies’ Latino Ministries provided Latino-Anglo Bridgebuilders training to leaders from American Baptist Churches of Indiana and Kentucky.
Two trainings of 25 individuals were held in 2019, and the positive consequences are continuing into 2020. The events sought to foster reconciliation, while shedding light on obstacles that prevent intercultural relationships. The topic of racism was explored.
On a recent Sunday, bridgebuilding continued, as members of Logansport (Ind.) Baptist Church collected and delivered food to La Esperanza Baptist Church, Louisville, Ky.
Writes the Rev. Soozi Whitten Ford, executive minister of American Baptist Churches of Indiana and Kentucky: “To God be the glory!”
Youth voices heard at East Coast Asian Pastors Retreat
Forty individuals attended the East Coast Asian Pastors Retreat co-sponsored by American Baptist Home Mission Societies’ (ABHMS) Asian Ministries and the Asian Alliance Jan. 17 and 18 at Stelton Baptist Church, Edison, N.J.
“The Vision 2020 theme was very helpful, especially with [ABHMS’] Rev. Florence Li’s presentation on Asian-American population growth and the challenge of ministry toward the multigenerational churches,” said Mang Yang, youth pastor at Calvary Baptist Church, Lowell, Mass. “The young adult panelists were inspirational and helped us to focus more on how to listen to and work with them.”
