The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference Announces the Appointments of Dr. Samuel Pagan and Dr. Alberto M. Delgado to the NHCLC Board

SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (www.nhclc.org), also known as the Hispanic Evangelical Association, the nation's largest Christian Hispanic organization, has announced that Dr. Samuel Pagan and Dr. Alberto M. Delgado have been appointed to the NHCLC Board of Directors.

Dr. Samuel Pagan, a leading Evangelical scholar and Professor of Hebrew Bible at Dar al-Kalima College in Bethlehem, has been appointed to the NHCLC Board of Directors. A Puerto Rican born Bible translator and theologian, Samuel Pagan is an ordained minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), commissioned by the General Board of Common Ministries in the USA, to serve in Israel and Palestine. A prolific writer, he has published over 35 books on theological, biblical and pastoral themes, and has edited five study editions of the Bible, two Bible encyclopedias and a Bible dictionary. He has been academic dean and president of graduate theological institutions in Puerto Rico and the USA, and has been the director of the Bible translation department of the United Bible Societies in the Americas.

Dr. Samuel Pagan has lectured and taught in universities, seminaries and academic centers in Latin America, Europe, the Far East, and the Middle East. Dr. Pagan has the following academic degrees: Bachelor in Science in Chemical Engineering, Master in Divinity, Master in Theology, Doctorate in Hebrew Literature and Doctorate in Sacred Theology. Dr. Pagan and his wife, Dr. Nohemi Pagan, live in Jerusalem where they serve as professors at Dar al-Kalima College.

"It is with a great honor that we welcome Dr. Samuel Pagan as a member of the NHCLC. Dr. Pagan is one of the greatest theologians of this generation," said Rev. Gilberto Velez, M.D., M.P.H., NHCLC Chairman of the Board. "His work has been a great blessing to the Christian community at large, not only in the United States, but all around the world. His love for the gospel has taken him through different levels in which he has succeeded, planting the seed of knowledge for generations to come. I personally consider myself blessed and honored to have him and his wife, Dr. Nohemi Pagan, as my dearest friends."

"After serving the Hispanic community for many years in different scholarly programs and projects, and also after seeing the serious commitment of the NHCLC toward the Hispanic community, I am glad to be part of this organization that is in the cutting edge of service and support of our USA communities," said Dr. Pagan. "I am looking forward to making a contribution toward the mission and vision of NHCLC, especially in their theological and scholarly programs. I am indeed honored with this opportunity."

Dr. Alberto M. Delgado, Senior Pastor of Alpha & Omega Church in Miami, Fla. (www.alpha-omega.org), one of America's largest churches, was also appointed to the NHCLC Board of Directors. Dr. Delgado came to the United States from Cuba at the age of 15 through "The Peter Pan Program" which brought over 14,000 minors in a mass exodus from the island without their parents. There were many difficult years for the young Alberto but at the age of 27 he had a powerful, personal encounter with the love of Jesus Christ. Graduating from the RHEMA Bible Training Center in 1979, he began his life as a missionary in South America.

In 1985, Pastor Alberto Delgado settled in Miami, Fla. with the strong desire to establish a church in which the word of God and the message of faith would be preached--with only 20 members, the first "Alpha and Omega" tent was set up in South Miami where his life in America had begun years before. Today, 20 years later, God has enlarged this great labor of Pastor A. Delgado, his wife Mariam Delgado and two children, to a church of more than 5000 members and a sanctuary that opens its doors to about 2000 people per service. Pastor A. Delgado completed a Master's Degree in Arts with a specialization in Christian Counseling in Jacksonville, Fla. Dr. Delgado has a Doctorate Degree in Theology from Logos Christian College.

Tony Calatayud, NHCLC Board Member, National Director of Salem Radio Espanol and Chairman of Conservadores commented on Dr. Delgado's appointment and said, "Alberto Delgado is truly one of the preeminent ministers in America today. His message of love and hope in preaching the gospel has touched many around the world. He is a man of vision and courage. Having known Pastor Delgado for years, I can attest he will be a valuable addition to the NHCLC Board. His entry will only strengthen the NHCLC mission of partnering with the most influential leaders across America and pressing on to bring our great nation to the foundational judeo-Christian values that were its initial cornerstone."

Dr. Alberto M. Delgado, said, "It is a great honor to join the Board of Directors of the NHCLC as the Christian church faces an important and challenging time in the United States. With the persecution that many of our Hispanic brothers are enduring, the many unfulfilled promises that have been made to the Hispanic community and the families who are being divided as a result–it is important for us to join together and raise our voices in order for justice to be done so that the division does not continue.  A Christian organization such as the NHCLC which has strength and depth in its membership is what we need in order to stand resolute in the face of growing opposition to our Christian heritage and to our beliefs as united we raise our voices to the mountain tops.  I look forward to working with our President Samuel Rodriguez, with the board, and the leadership in the coming year." 

President of the NHCLC, Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, said, "This is an exciting time in the history of the NHCLC -- to have such a high caliber of Christian scholars and pastors engaging in ministries effecting the Hispanic community and in the work of the NHCLC. We are very grateful."

The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference is the Hispanic National Association of Evangelicals unifying, serving and representing the Hispanic Born Again Community via 34,200 member churches and 20 million constituents by reconciling the vertical and horizontal of the Christian message through the 7 Directives of Life, Family, Great Commission, Stewardship, Justice, Education and Youth.

SOURCE National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference