Southeast Hispanic Region Celebrates 50 Years
Last weekend, the Southeast Hispanic Region of the Church of God held a massive celebration to observe more than 50 years of ministry among Hispanic churches in Florida and Georgia.
While the region initially encompassed North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi, as well as Florida and Georgia, the growth of Hispanic churches in the area required that the region be divided. Today, more than 400 churches are associated with the Southeast Hispanic Region, under the leadership of Administrative Bishop Angel Marcial.
The 50th Anniversary celebration kicked off with a massive banquet, hosted in the Faith Center at First Baptist Church of Orlando. In his welcoming remarks at the banquet, Bishop Marcial noted that 97% of the pastors in the region were participating in the celebration and that all the churches in the region were committed to the FINISH Commitment – seeing the Great Commission fulfilled through soulwinning and church planting. When the banquet concluded, the participants moved to the worship service in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church where more than 4,000 attendees participated in the worship experience.
“I was overwhelmed by the presence of the Holy Spirit in the celebration service,” noted Dr. Tim Hill, General Overseer of the Church of God. “While the service was slated as a time to celebrate more than fifty years of service to the southeastern states, it turned into a powerful time of worship. We celebrated but the celebration was based upon the power and the presence of God in our midst. Based upon the spirit I felt in that service, the future of the Southeastern Hispanic Region is going to be even brighter than the past. Great things are in store for what God is going to do in this region – and among the Hispanic churches in our movement.”
Hill led the Friday night worship service with a message on “God’s Manna” and concluded by asking those under 40 years of age to come forward to be anointed to carry the torch forward to the Hispanic community across the southeastern states for generations to come. Hundreds of people responded to his invitation, overflowing the altar area in the massive sanctuary.
Earlier in the service, the Friday night crowd warmly welcomed the Honorable Rick Scott, Governor of the State of Florida. Gov. Scott, a personal friend of Dr. Marcial, received a rousing ovation when he greeted the crowd in Spanish.
Univision and Telemundo, along with several local television stations, carried portions of the celebration live and also interviewed many, including Marcial, Hill, and Gov. Scott.
The 50th Year Celebration was attended by many denomination leaders from the United States, as well as from Latin and South America. First Assistant General Overseer, Dr. Raymond F. Culpepper, addressed the gathering on Saturday morning, while Dr. J. David Stephens, Second Assistant General Overseer, and Dr. John D. Childers, offered greetings on Friday night.
Singing and music was led by talented young leaders and enjoyed throughout the celebration. In addition, hundreds of volunteers served as greeters, ushers, and in other areas of ministry to make the two day celebration a success.
General Overseer Hill concluded, “I commend Dr. Marcial and all the leaders, both now and in the past, who have served in the Southeast Hispanic Region. The Church of God is fortunate to have such a vibrant group of churches. I believe that the Southeast Hispanic Region’s greatest days are still come. To God be the glory.”
