Last Saturday, Hispanic churches around the “Windy City” gathered for an event that felt like a breath of fresh air.
Organised by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and its sister ministry Samaritan’s Purse, the Unidos conference strengthened these believers in evangelism, discipleship, and defending their faith.
Spanish-speaking pastors, ministry leaders, and lay members from different churches and denominations came together to hear Biblical teaching and share ideas for reaching their communities with the Gospel.
Lázaro Saldaña, one of the attendees, explained some of the challenges facing the Hispanic church in Chicago. “Many people from various countries are arriving here—people that have never been in the US before—and the churches are the ones taking on their shoulders the work of welcoming them and helping them adapt to the [American] culture.”
Throughout the conference, speakers emphasised that the church must preach the Biblical Gospel, not a watered-down version of Christianity. They also urged attendees to reflect God’s love in their daily lives and to disciple younger generations.
Donald Franz, a pastor and church planter who has ministered in the United States and in several Latin American countries, taught about the need to mentor new believers.
“Discipleship means shaping people in the image of Christ and helping them live out their divine purpose,” he said.
In his message, Franz explained that many congregations are welcoming new people to their pews but failing to help them grow in the faith. As a result, “we have created spiritual consumers instead of disciples.”
“The spiritual consumer goes to church expecting the service to be for him, to be for her… ‘I hope the [musician] that I like will be there. I hope he plays the songs I like.’ The disciple’s attitude says: ‘Lord, show me whom to bless today during the service. Show me whom to pray for. Give me a word that can bless my brothers and sisters.’”
Centred on the Word
It was reading God’s Word that led Lázaro Saldaña to become a believer years ago, and he is passionate about encouraging others to study Scripture. He has long hoped that evangelical churches in Chicago would be reminded of the importance of preaching the Bible—and this event, he said, pointed listeners back to that foundation.
He shared that “it’s not common to find events like these that bring churches together and call on them to unite around a common purpose, around the Bible and evangelism.”
Saldaña said that he wants to spend the rest of his life investing in ways that would help others get to know Jesus. At the event, he felt led to commit his future entirely in God’s hands. “Here I told God, ‘I have no plans. What are your plans for my life?’ Jesus transformed my life, and I want to tell others about Him.”
Saldaña left the conference feeling renewed and strengthened in his ministry. “I hope this event isn’t limited to today, but rather that it kicks off a process that awakens us, so that many people may come to know Jesus.”
‘A Wake-up Call’
Edgar Infante is originally from Mexico City, but he has been living in the Chicago area for 30 years. He began attending a Christian church just four years ago, but even in this short time, he has noticed that many local church members seem stuck in a rut.
“I feel like [many] people are stuck in a monotonous cycle of going to and from church, but I don’t see them motivated,” he explained.
But the conference, he said, “had a very positive impact. The speakers… I believe they were chosen by God. They are people who truly believe what they are preaching. The love and charisma they bring are a reflection of how the Gospel is woven into their way of life.”
“This is like a wake-up call,” he continued. “It’s good to say, ‘Wake up—it’s time to get moving and get back to basics.’”
Infante spoke of his hope that the lessons from Unidos, especially about teaching the Biblical Gospel and consistently showing Christ’s love, will grow throughout the church community. “The first thing we’ll do is share what we’ve learned,” he said. “Then that seed will be planted, and I think the word will spread.”
Infante said the conference reminded everyone that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is what can truly set people free. “And that’s what we want to share with others.”
Will you pray that God will work in many more lives during the next Unidos conference Sept. 26, in Houston, Tex.?
