Archive for June 11th, 2009

This year as the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas will meet at Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, it will be electing a new president.  The election of officers will launch a year of preparation for Convención’s centennial anniversary to be celebrated in San Antonio.

            Hispanic Baptist work in Texas has come a long way in 100 years!  From that small group of faithful and committed Mexican-origin Baptists, we have become a diverse people.  Our congregations include first-generation immigrants, as well as second, third and fourth generation Hispanics.  Our countries of origin include Mexico, Central American countries, South American countries and countries in the Caribbean.  Our ranks include the working class, school teachers, business owners, community leaders, doctors and lawyers.  Our presence is felt in rural areas, small towns, inner-cities and the suburbs.  Our congregations vary in size, worship style and language preference.  At such a time like this, Convención needs a leader who understands and represents the wide diversity of our Hispanic Baptist work in Texas.

            I am nominating pastor Victor Rodriguez of  South San Filadelfia Baptist Church in San Antonio as president of Convención because he represents the best of leadership in our midst.  He is a product of our Hispanic Baptist work in Texas.  The son of a Texas Hispanic Baptist pastor, Manuel Rodriguez, (who also has served as Convención president), Bro. Victor was a leader among our youth as president of the jóvenes in San Antonio, president of youth camp and president of our state singles camp.  He was educated in Baptist institutions, namely Hardin Simmons University and Wayland Baptist University.  He is bilingual.  He relates to first –generation Hispanics, as well as to second and third generation Hispanics.  Pastor Rodriguez has worked well with Anglos and is well-respected in the San Antonio Baptist Association as well as the Asociación Hispana in San Antonio.  He has worked in harmony with BGCT personnel.  He ministers in the barrio and his vision includes reaching all Hispanics with the whole gospel, including salvation, education, family care and economic improvement.  Victor Rodriguez represents the best of what Convención has been about for 100 years.  He is the profile of a Texas Baptist Hispanic leader.   He is one of ours!  As such he can be an inclusive and understanding leader for our Convención, leading us into the next century of Hispanic Baptist work of collaboration with all those who are committed to the advancement of the gospel in Texas and beyond.

            Bro. Victor has demonstrated skill, passion and ability to lead in his 24 years of ministry as a Texas Hispanic Baptist pastor.  He has been a church planter and the church  which he now pastors has grown from 25 members to over 900 under his leadership.  The church has community ministries that impact 1,300 people on a weekly basis and in the last five years has baptized an average of 100 people annually.  Pastor Rodriguez is supported by his wife Olga and his three sons, Victor, Fernando and Manuel.  His vision is to see Convención impacting all Hispanics in Texas in the spiritual, education, family care, ministerial development and church ministries.