{"id":23963,"date":"2024-07-05T04:34:43","date_gmt":"2024-07-05T04:34:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/?p=23963"},"modified":"2024-07-05T04:35:09","modified_gmt":"2024-07-05T04:35:09","slug":"lideres-hermanos-de-habla-hispana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2024\/lideres-hermanos-de-habla-hispana\/","title":{"rendered":"Almuerzo de L\u00edderes Hermanos de Habla Hispana: Spanish Speaking Brethren Leaders Luncheon"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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By Frank Ramirez<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The attendees at the Almuerzo de L\u00edderes Hermanos de Habla Hispana (Spanish Speaking Brethren Leaders Luncheon) spoke Spanish, English, and Haitian Creole, sometimes but not always translated from one tongue to another. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But as one person said, quoting moderator Madalyn Metzger\u2019s opening sermon, speaking in Spanish, \u201cWe\u2019re all yearning for community,\u201d adding, \u201cWe have many differences but we have much more in common. We are one body in Christ.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following music by the Bittersweet Gospel Band, Metzger shared greetings in Spanish, adding, \u201cI apologize for my poor Spanish.\u201d She reflected on her own bi-cultural upbringing, hearing English and Vietnamese growing up, and affirmed, \u201cSpeaking Spanish is very important to me.\u201d Reading from her tablet, Metzger shared a blessing for the meal in Spanish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

David Steele, general secretary of the Church of the Brethren, noted, \u201cIt is good to be here with you. We in the church greatly appreciate the work of our Spanish speaking ministers\u2026. We have been working to realign our priorities. Where we see growth and enthusiasm in our life together is in our Spanish-speaking and Haitian congregations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Chris Brumbaugh-Cayford<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

As a result, Steele said, \u201cWhat we have been doing is looking at the translation of our resources\u2026into Spanish and Haitian Creole.\u201d Recent projects include translation of the Polity Manual<\/em> and For All Who Minister<\/em>, the Church of the Brethren minister\u2019s manual published by Brethren Press. \u201cYou are important to the Church of the Brethren. You are an important part of the body of Christ. God bless you all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Bittersweet Gospel Band performs. Photo by Chris Brumbaugh-Cayford<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Nate Polzin, executive director of Discipleship and Leadership Formation, shared his excitement working with Spanish- and Creole-speaking congregations, as did Founa Augustin Badet, director of Intercultural Ministries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Badet invited anyone and everyone at the meal to share concerns, setbacks, joys, and successes. During this time of general sharing, one pastor assured the group, \u201cThe Lord hears you when you pray to God. He will give you what you desire\u2026. We are not alone. We are on a team.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another listed the several Spanish-speaking enclaves in Central America, the Caribbean, South America, and Europe where \u201cwe have one testimony, one witness. It is a beautiful thing.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Still another said, \u201cWe are becoming a new people.\u201d He talked about a vision of the church being an open door with the ministers becoming \u201cpastor of the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have a new way of understanding the Bible,\u201d one shared. \u201cIt is important that you believe, and that you speak words of faith. It will end in good.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prayer requests were offered on behalf of the countries of Haiti and Venezuela, as well as other concerns. It was reported that just knowing that people were listening made a great difference to Brethren in both places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the luncheon closed, Badet gathered the group together in a circle so prayers might be offered up simultaneously by all present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#cobac2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

———-<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find more Church of the Brethren news:<\/p>\n\n\n