In a display of teamwork and commitment to the mission, eight churches in northern Oregon carried out an evangelistic series that ended with the celebration of 68 baptisms!

Together, the eight churches put their passion for Jesus to work. Several involved leaders spent days praying and fasting, leading small group planting campaigns, and hosted a series of several short presentations at each church, culminating in a joint celebration event at the Holden Convention Center. Pastor Gerizim de Peña, Oregon Conference Hispanic Ministries evangelist, presented a series of messages entitled “Free in Jesus” at the meetings, which took place October 25-28. His Christ-centered presentations impacted the audience, causing attendance to increase each night until the last Saturday of the meeting was celebrated with approximately 600 attendees!

In addition to the biblical message, the team of Hispanic ministry leaders and district pastors also worked to create an environment of worship and praise with a group of young people from the McMinnville Spanish Church as well as a collective group from various churches who volunteered to warmly welcome everyone coming into the auditorium. At the end of the event, everyone joined together for the baptisms as 68 beautiful souls, along with their pastors, walked into the baptismal waters and proclaimed their love for Jesus and joined our spiritual family.

David Paczka, Oregon Conference Hispanic Ministries director said, "I am grateful to the Lord for allowing us to be part of a movement that strives and lives to fulfill the mission of making disciples. I thank every brother and sister, every leader and pastor of the churches of Vancouver, Kelso, Hood River, Gresham, Portland, University Park, Milwaukie, and Tualatin for taking a step of faith and unity to make this event possible."

The Hispanic ministry advances together in a united vision, showing through every event and new relationship that it really is all about Jesus, and striving together to continue its missional growth in this region.