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Image Credit: Jehiely Balabarca

Hispanic Ministries Enriches Washington Families

By Yván Balabarca, October 11, 2024

On Aug. 10, 2024, Federal Way Hispanic Church hosted Growing in the Church and at Home, a special event organized by Washington Conference Hispanic family ministries and led by Victoria Martínez and Yván Balabarca. 

Some of the topics covered included evangelism to teens, becoming receptive churches and teaching Sabbath School. This gathering brought together more than 90 people, including children’s Sabbath School teachers, parents interested in the spiritual development of their homes and ministry leaders from related areas such as Pathfinders.

The invited presenters, Delia Fernández, Central East Peruvian Conference director of women's ministries and children's ministries, and Nilda Carrasco, Peruvian Union University advisor for international students and admissions, traveled from Peru to share their knowledge and strategies. Their main goal was to strengthen children's worship; share evangelistic strategies for women; provide methodologies for teaching children, juniors and youth in Sabbath School; and teach valuable strategies for managing time in family worship. 

The sessions began at 10 a.m. and continued until 5 p.m. in a dynamic and enriching environment. In addition to the invited presenters, the event featured Wagner Cilio, Washington Conference Hispanic ministries coordinator, and Francisco Brito, Washington Conference Hispanic ministries assistant coordinator, who provided support and contributed to the success of the day.

Martínez, Fernández and Carrasco shared practical strategies and valuable teachings that were highly appreciated by the participants. They shared teaching materials specifically designed to meet the needs of multiple age groups.

Growing in the Church and at Home emphasized the importance of spiritual instruction from childhood, reminding everyone of Prov. 22:6: "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it." This principle was the central focus of the teachings shared during the day.

Participants expressed their satisfaction with this event, stating their desire for it to be repeated in the future. They look forward to using the principles learned to strengthen their faith at home and at church.  

Image

Victoria Martinez explains the use of the didactic materials.

Victoria Martínez explica el uso de los materiales didácticos.

Credit
Epitacyo Martins
Image

Victoria Martinez motivates attendees to continue developing as skillful Bible communicators to children.

Victoria Martinez motiva a los asistentes a seguir desarrollándose como hábiles comunicadores de la Biblia para los niños.

Credit
Jehiely Balabarca
Image

Wagner Cilio encourages families to join in family worship.  

Wagner Cilio anima a las familias a unirse en el culto familiar.

 

Credit
Yvanna Balabarca
Image

Delia Fernández explains how to use props during family worship with children. 

Delia Fernández explica cómo usar material durante el culto familiar con los niños.

Credit
Epitacyo Martins

La Iglesia Hispana de Federal Way llevó a cabo un evento especial el 10 de agosto titulado Creciendo en la Iglesia y en la Casa. Este evento fue organizado por el Ministerio de la Familia Hispano de la Conferencia de Washington, dirigidos por Victoria Martínez e Yván Balabarca. 

Los temas programados incluyeron evangelismo para adolescentes, convertirse en iglesias receptivas y enseñanza de la Escuela Sabática. Este encuentro reunió alrededor de 90 personas, incluyendo maestras de las divisiones infantiles de la Escuela Sabática, padres de familia interesados en el desarrollo espiritual de sus hogares, y líderes de ministerios afines como el Club de Conquistadores.

Las maestras invitadas, Delia Fernández, directora del ministerio de la mujer y del ministerio infantil de la Asociación Peruana Centro Este, y Nilda Carrasco, asesora de alumnos internacionales y del área de admisión de la Universidad Peruana Unión, viajaron desde Perú para compartir sus conocimientos y estrategias. Su objetivo principal fue fortalecer la adoración infantil; compartir estrategias evangelísticas para damas; proporcionar metodologías para la Escuela Sabática aplicables a la enseñanza de niños, menores y adolescentes; y enseñar estrategias para el manejo del tiempo en el culto familiar.

Las sesiones comenzaron a las 10 a.m. y se extendieron hasta las 5 p.m. en un ambiente dinámico y enriquecedor. Además de las maestras invitadas, el evento contó con Wagner Cilio, coordinador de ministerios Hispanos de la Conferencia de Washington, y Francisco Brito, coordinador asistente de ministerios Hispanos de la Conferencia de Washington, quienes brindaron su apoyo y contribuyeron al éxito de la jornada.

Martínez, Fernández y Carrasco compartieron estrategias prácticas y enseñanzas valiosas que fueron muy apreciadas por los participantes. Se presentó una serie de materiales didácticos especialmente diseñados para responder a las diferentes necesidades según las edades de los niños.

Creciendo en la Iglesia y en la Casa destacó la importancia de la instrucción espiritual desde la niñez, recordando la promesa de Prov. 22:6: "Instruye al niño en su camino, y aun cuando fuere viejo no se apartará de él." Este principio fue el eje central de las enseñanzas compartidas durante la jornada.

Los participantes expresaron su satisfacción con esta iniciativa y manifestaron su deseo de que se repita en el futuro.  

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Featured in: November/December 2024

Author

Yván Balabarca

Auburn, Kent and Seattle Hispanic district pastor
Section
Washington Conference
Tags
Church

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The Gleaner is a gathering place with news and inspiration for Seventh-day Adventist members and friends throughout the northwestern United States. It is an important communication channel for the North Pacific Union Conference — the regional church support headquarters for Adventist ministry throughout Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. The original printed Gleaner was first published in 1906, and has since expanded to a full magazine with a monthly circulation of more than 40,000. Through its extended online and social media presence, the Gleaner also provides valuable content and connections for interested individuals around the world.

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