Rocky Mountain Conference Marks 100 Years of Hispanic Ministry in Loveland, Colorado

The North American Division and the Rocky Mountain Conference marked 100 years of Hispanic ministry in Colorado on September 13, 2025. More than 1,500 people gathered at Campion Academy in Loveland for a day of worship, fellowship and gratitude for how God has led the work through the decades.

Welcoming remarks came from David VandeVere, president of the Rocky Mountain Conference, and Hubert Morel, executive secretary of the Mid-America Union Conference. VandeVere said, “We are also here to celebrate what He will do in the future.” Roberto Correa, multilingual director for the Mid-America Union, and Hugo Guillén, associate ministerial director and lead for Multicultural Ministries for the Rocky Mountain Conference, served as hosts. Correa said, “To celebrate 100 years does not mean to stop, but to renew our mission.”

Leaders from across the division attended, including the North American Division Hispanic Advisory Committee, which had held its annual meetings earlier that week in Fort Collins. Minervino Labrador, North American Division vice president for Multilingual Ministries, said the Mid-America Union had invited the committee to the Denver-area anniversary, and that union vice presidents had voted the previous year to attend together. Hispanic coordinators from every territory also addressed the gathering.

Labrador reviewed the history of Hispanic ministry in Colorado, saying the beginnings were humble and that the growth had been led by God. He acknowledged Marcial Serna, whom he identified as the first Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist pastor in North America, and noted the challenges early pioneers faced when most of the Hispanic community was Catholic. The program also recognized pioneers within local congregations and showcased Hispanic churches across the state. Labrador said, “Every bit in our territory adds up to massive blessings in the North American Division.”

The event included several evangelistic resources. Esperanza TV led worship and introduced its new mobile app for streaming faith-based content. Elvis Diaz, director of Sales and Marketing for El Centinela and Spanish-language books, encouraged members to continue spreading the gospel through literature evangelism. Campion Academy’s select choir, Koinonia, provided music at several points. International evangelist and pastor Alejandro Bullón gave the main message on how God equips His people to do significant work for His kingdom. Tomas DeGyves, director of Multilingual Ministries for the Central States Conference, joined Guillén in acknowledging the leaders and congregations, a moment Guillén described as showing unity between the two conferences in ministering to Colorado’s Hispanic community.

The celebration closed with 13 baptisms, officiated by Rocky Mountain Conference pastors Santo Valdez, Daniel Escalante, Daniele Fantoni, Leonardo Jimenez and Guillén. A concert by Felipe Garibo, described as an internationally renowned music evangelist, followed. Guillén said the 100-year milestone reflected growth that “shows in baptisms,” and he said he hoped to see a congregation established in Wyoming.

Asked about his hope for Multilingual Ministries, and for Hispanic ministry in this context, Labrador said it is “for our [migrant communities] to continue to share the gospel through their small group Bible studies, to work together to build up the Kingdom of God, and continue their growth, which has been exceptional in our division.”

Source: Read the original report