Latino Evangelicals Gather at Record Breaking Board Convention Launch Imago Dei Initiative

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• Latin America - español

SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, the Hispanic Evangelical Association, held its annual board convention in Miami, Florida, to a record-breaking gathering of America's leading Hispanic evangelical leaders. National representatives of the 52 largest denominations, 22 chapter directors, University Presidents, scholars, megachurch pastors, and parachurch CEOs all gathered for the purpose of outlining the priorities for the 40,118 church member organization. 

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Dr. Carlos Campo, President, Regent University, said, "The NHCLC Board convention was a remarkable time of collaborative learning with some of America's most influential Hispanic leaders. In addition, we were able to solidify our ongoing commitment to founding principles and values that reflect the Lamb's Agenda." 

The NHCLC Board convention affirmed the NHCLC's 7 Directives through presentations and dialogue–dissecting and responding to many critical issues relative to the 21^st century Hispanic Evangelical community, including the Barna Group/ABS/NHCLC study on "Hispanic America: Faith, Values & Priorities" and a significant NEXT GEN initiative and panel discussion.

Campo continued, "We stand at the crossroads of change in America, and Christian higher Education must play a key role in recruiting, retaining and graduating the most diverse group of next generation Christian leaders our nation has ever known. With an intentional focus on Christ as the source of all truth, and a commitment to challenge our culture's slide into moral relativism, we can forge a standard of excellence that will inspire tomorrow's students."

Additionally, the Imago Dei Initiative was launched at the annual convention in response to the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference's foundation, which was established to uphold the principles of righteousness (vertical) and justice (horizontal), of the Imago Dei and Missio Dei concepts.

The NHCLC (www.nhclc.org) Board of Directors serve the nation's largest Christian Hispanic organization by unifying, serving and representing millions in the Hispanic Born Again Community via its 40,118 member churches and reconciling the vertical and horizontal of the Christian message through its 7 Directives of Life, Family, Compassionate Evangelism, Stewardship, Justice, Education and Youth.

The two-day convention included an inspiring keynote speech by James Robison, Founder and President of LIFE Outreach International, Co-Host with Betty Robison of LIFEToday. James Robison, said, "Being at the NHCLC Annual Convention has been one of the great honors and blessings of my life. At different times in human history and in our nation's history, God hands the mantle of opportunity to a specific group to inspire an awakening; a return to the rock-solid, unshakable, undeniable, proven principles that our nation's foundation was established upon; and the rebuilding of the walls essential to ensure the preservation of the freedom that was purchased at a great price. It is a matter of the release of "spiritual gravity"—the weight of God—leaving His imprint on every person and every area on this planet. I believe the NHCLC has accepted that divine assignment and can help inspire the absolutely essential next great spiritual awakening—perhaps more than any other single identifiable group."

Sergio De La Mora, Founder and President of Cornerstone Church, San Diego, Calif., Rev. Eleazar Rodriguez, Superintendent of the Texas Louisiana Hispanic District of the Assemblies of God, Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman, Liberty Counsel, and Jeremiah Torres, Pastor of Pentecostal Christian Church, Hartford, Conn., also delivered moving speeches to the prestigious NHCLC Board of Directors during the annual convention.

The 2013 NHCLC Annual Board Convention also featured a time of celebration and reflection and honored several of its board members for their work: Dr. Albert Reyes received the 2013 NHCLC Compassionate Evangelism Award, Pastor Magda Hermida received the 2013 NHCLC Life Award, Carlos Duran received the 2013 NHCLC Healthy Families Award, and Dr. Gus Reyes received the 2013 NHCLC Education Award. Dr. Alberto Delgado was honored with The Ricardo Tanon Award, Hispanic Pastor of The Year Award, at the convention's closing ceremony at Alpha and Omega Church where he serves as the Senior Pastor.

TO BOOK an INTERVIEW or SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT with REV. SAMUEL RODRIGUEZ
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SOURCE National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference