Learning the language of relationship: ABHMS staff begin Spanish course through Creciendo Juntos

VALLEY FORGE, PA (03/23/2026)—Learning Spanish is a recent step American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) staff are taking toward a more meaningful engagement with Latino ministries.

The conversational Spanish course is part of Creciendo Juntos, a five-year initiative funded by a $1.5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. that seeks to strengthen Latino pastoral leadership and expand ABHMS’ internal capacity to support Latino congregations and communities.

The Spanish course is designed for the ministry context; it focuses on conversational Spanish. Participants will learn simple greetings, common phrases, and vocabulary that can be used in interactions with Spanish-speaking community partners.

Importantly, the program is collaborative. Seven Spanish-speaking staff members will mentor the 24 participants. Cultural activities, such as visits to Latino festivals and informal meetups will help grow deeper relationships between staff.

The course reflects the broader goal of Creciendo Juntos: building the bilingual and intercultural capacity of ABHMS as it constantly strengthens partnerships with Latino leaders and congregations. It is an investment that signals ABHMS’ faithful commitment to Latino communities.

“Creciendo Juntos means ‘growing together,’ and that is exactly what we hope to see: staff and Spanish-speaking congregations growing in partnership,” said Diego Meneses, ABHMS’ program coordinator for Latino Ministries, who facilitates the course.

By Rev. Dr. Anna Piela, senior writer at ABHMS and editor of The Christian Citizen magazine