Celebrating Faith, Culture, and Connection at the "Entre Nos" Conference
/By: Maribel Vazquez, Senior Pastor at Emmanuel UMC - San Antonio
From September 28 to October 1, five Hispanic female pastors from the Rio Texas Conference traveled to Durham, North Carolina, representing Rio Texas Conference to El Plan Hispano Ministry – “Entre Nos” Conference. This conference offered a place to reflect on what Hispanic/Latine ministry truly means and provide the denomination clarity around protocol, best practices, and contextual reality of many of our communities.
Rio Texas Conference Hispanic Female Pastors in Attendance: Rev. Laura Dorantes (Westlawn – SA), Rev. Maribel Vazquez( Emanuel – SA), Rev. Nohemi Ramirez (La Trinidad – SA), Rev. Raquel Feagins (Emanuel – Austin) and Rev. Veronica Hernandez (El Buen Pastor – San Marcos).
“Entre Nos” began with a spirit-filled Opening Worship at Duke Chapel, led by Dr. Claudio Carvalhaes. Workshops and presentations of agency partners (GCORR- Race and Religion, Discipleship Ministries, Upper Room, Wespath, GBGM, GBCS, GBHEM).
Opening Worship at Duke Chapel. Photo Courtesy of Rev. Veronica Hernandez
Duke Chapel. Photo Courtesy of Rev. Veronica Hernandez
Focus in Fiesta—celebrated as an act of resistance and an expression of FAMILIA (Fellowship, Accept the differences, Motivation, Identities, Loyalty, Inclusive and Affirm) Through this theme, participants were reminded that we are all children of God. A message presented by Dr. Giovanni Arroyo (GCORR).
Rio Texas was represented by five female pastors. Photo Courtesy of Rev. Veronica Hernandez
Entre Nos- presented bilingual Zoom conversations involving clergy, laity, and conference staff across all five jurisdictions with purpose to assess needs, realities, and strategies. Goal: Inform strategies and legislation for General Conference 2028 and help denomination understand Hispanic/Latine realities.
Photo Courtesy of Rev. Veronica Hernandez



