Anabaptist Theological Education Empowers Hispanic Leaders in Faithful Ministry

Marco Güete highlights how Anabaptist-rooted theological education pathways equip Hispanic and Latino leaders for faithful, contextual ministry without leaving their congregations.

As director of Hispanic Ministries with Mennonite Church USA, Güete collaborates with Anabaptist theological education initiatives and is committed to equipping leaders for faithful, contextual ministry. He reflects on conversations with pastors who felt called and faithful to their congregations yet unsure where to turn for theological formation that honored their language and context. These leaders were already serving their communities, preaching weekly, and navigating cultural transitions, while carrying a quiet question: How do they grow as leaders without stepping away from the people they serve?

Across Mennonite Church USA, this question resonates with many Hispanic and Latino leaders. It is not driven by ambition but by a deep sense of faithfulness. Güete has observed how accessible, Anabaptist-rooted theological formation can transform individual leaders and entire congregations.

The journey often begins with the Instituto Bíblico Anabautista (IBA). Created with the conviction that leaders should not have to choose between serving their congregations and receiving theological education, IBA offers a space where leaders, often attending virtually after long workdays, open Scripture together. They discover that theology is not distant or abstract but speaks directly to preaching, pastoral care, conflict, and community life. Many students gain confidence as they articulate their faith through an Anabaptist lens shaped by discipleship, peace, and communal discernment.

As their calling deepens, many leaders seek further formation. This is where the Seminario Bíblico Anabautista Hispano (SeBAH) becomes a natural next step. SeBAH offers certificate-level theological education in Spanish, combining academic depth with pastoral wisdom. What makes SeBAH distinctive is not only what is taught but how learning is shaped by community. Students wrestle with Scripture, theology, and ethics while remaining rooted in their congregational realities.

IBA students in Uspantán, Guatemala, part of the minis

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