News / Education
LifeWay Español resources growing empowered believers, healthy churches
Resources help Spanish-speaking congregations with ministry
Good news like this was shared at the May 11-12 International Seminar of Hispanic Consultants in Miami. The conference was sponsored by LifeWay Español and attracted 43 participants representing Spain, Venezuela, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and the United States.
The conference theme, Correr la Carrera con Paciencia (Run the Race with Patience), based on Hebrews 12:1, seemed especially relevant when conversation turned to VBS in Mexico.
“We’ve been promoting VBS in Mexico for five years,” said Cesar Badillo, LifeWay Español’s resident consultant in Mexico. “In the beginning we had to do all the leg work, but now LifeWay Español’s VBS has become so well known that many of our churches buy the material before they ever attend a training event.”
Churches don’t just buy the resources, Badillo continued, but are committed to VBS training. “We have planned VBS training events expecting 40 people to show up, and more than 120 come,” he said.
The tremendous growth in LifeWay’s VBS material is exciting enough to stand on its own, but there is an added benefit, according to Badillo.
“This success with VBS materials in Mexico is making all of LifeWay Español’s resources better known,” resulting in increased sales of other LifeWay discipleship materials, leading to healthier churches and empowered believers.
LifeWay Español director Luís López said LifeWay Español resources are making a difference in churches throughout the Spanish-speaking world.
Jorge Figueroa, pastor and volunteer consultant for the western region of the United States, said the small group ministry in his church will soon introduce the Spanish language version of Master Life. “They have begun with some basic discipleship and have come to me asking for a more in-depth discipleship study,” he says.
This year several new LifeWay resources in Spanish were unveiled at the conference including: Peregrinando (Stepping Up by Beth Moore), Discernamos la Voz de Dios (Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer), 3:16 Los Números de la Esperanza (3:16 The Church Experience by Max Lucado), Cautivado por la Grandeza de Dios (Gripped by the Greatness of God by James MacDonald) and Escuela Bíblica de Vacaciones Isla Canoa (VBS Outrigger Island).
“We want to help Hispanic churches fulfill the Great Commission by providing culturally relevant resources that will transform individuals into Great Commission Christians,” López said. “Our strategy is simple yet challenging: to know churches, to help churches and to help people through churches.”
For up-to-date news and information regarding LifeWay Christian Resources, visit www.lifeway.com/news.
