In Atlanta, Georgia, a joyous and spirit-filled celebration marked a major milestone for Hispanic Latina women in the Presbyterian Church (USA).

From October 10 to 12, the Mujeres Hispanas Latinas Presbiterianas (MHLP) gathered for Encuentro XI, an event that not only celebrated the 30th anniversary of their first national gathering but also issued a prophetic call to action under the theme, “Influencers del Reino De Dios, Somos y Hacemos” (Influencers of the Kingdom of God, We Are and We Do).

To understand the significance of this Encuentro is to understand a history of resilience and faith.

A Legacy Forged in Struggle

The MHLP organization was built on a foundation laid by women in presbyteries and synods who yearned for a space to connect, worship, and lead in their own language and cultural context. In the early 1990s, two pioneering lay women, Ruling Elder Yolanda S. Hernández from the Northeast and Ruling Elder Angie Garza Ábrego from the Southwest, “fought tooth and nail” to make this dream a reality.

They faced significant “opposition of nationally prominent Hispanic male leaders” but persevered, weaving together relationships that in 1995 became the first national gathering, Encuentro I. It was there that the MHLP organization was born.

Florence Vargas, a founding member from Puerto Rico who has been part of the journey from the beginning, recalls the first gathering. “We did that first one from scratch,” she shares. “We had nothing to go on. We had over 200 women coming together.”

What brought them — and still brings them — together? “The language,” Vargas states unequivocally. Being able to gather in one’s own language and one’s own culture, when most of the rest of life is lived as a ‘second language’ is fundamental. “And the worship — being able to worship in our own language — it is marvelous,” she said. “We say that Spanish is the language of angels and I can pray in English if I have to… but really, it is much easier to pray in Spanish.”

While MHLP is an integral part of Presbyterian Women (PW) and affirms its purpose, the organization holds its own distinct Mission Statement: “To affirm our culture and language, To discover and nurture the gifts and talents of all leaders, and To empower MHLPs with the necessary training and resources in Spanish and Portuguese.”

The Encuentro, held every three years, is the central event, conceived and birthed by the women themselves. It is held in Spanish, with interpretation in Portuguese and English, creating a space where, as Yolanda S. Hernández used to say, Hispanic women “feel completely welcome and can be themselves.”

A Prophetic Call for Kingdom Influencers

This year’s theme, “Influencers of the Kingdom of God,” resonated deeply against the backdrop of current social and political challenges.

“At a moment when immigrants of color are being targeted by the government and congregations are still hesitant to extend full hospitality to their new neighbors, it’s imperative that Hispanic/Latiné (a gender neutral way to refer to those of Latin American heritage) women gather to celebrate their identity, lift up their voices and renew their commitment to build a more just and inclusive society,” said Rev. Magdalena Garcia, another founding member.

This call to be influencers outside the church walls was a central message. Keynote speaker Dr. Agustina Luvis Nuñez, professor of Systematic Theology at the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico, challenged the attendees directly. “In order to be influencers in the Kingdom of God we have to leave other kingdoms,” she said, adding, “Sometimes we must even migrate from the churches to follow the project of God’s reign.”

Rev. Carmen Rosario, a third founding member who preached at the event, echoed this prophetic call in a powerful sermon. She asked the women: “What are you constructing? Walls or bridges? What are you sowing? Hope or fear?”

“God is calling us in this hour,” Rosario proclaimed. “To leave the four walls and to abandon the normal routine, in order to influence the world.” In a world that teaches us to compete, el reino de dios (the kingdom of God) shows us a different way to live. “God is looking for collaborators – the rein doesn’t come with arms. It is cultivated with resistance.”

Building a Legacy of Leadership

For MHLP, influencing the kingdom goes hand in hand with leadership development. “One of the things I wanted to point out is the leadership development,” said Florence Vargas, gesturing to the new generation of leaders. “When you see Jennifer and Keren and Leticia, these young women, we worked to get them there. We are really proud of that we have that continuity of women through the different ages and places.”

This commitment to training is the reason MHLP established the Adelante Fund at the Presbyterian Foundation in 2005. Honoring pioneers Idalisa Fernández and Yolanda S. Hernández, this fund provides scholarships for leadership development, ensuring that the legacy of these trailblazing women continues.

The impact of this focus is clear. “In our Hispanic culture women are often pushed aside, but we are not women who have let anyone push us aside,” Vargas stated. “We are not ‘token.’ We are here and we are a voice.”

Reflecting on the Encuentro, Rev. Rosario captured the spirit of the gathering. “This sacred space brought together sisters in faith from diverse regions, all committed to transforming our churches and communities,” she said. “It was a privilege to proclaim the Word among courageous, wise, and prophetic women who continue weaving networks of justice, healing, and leadership.”

As the women of MHLP return to their synods and presbyteries, they will teach locally what they learned at the Encuentro, offering a multitude of “mini Encuentros” across the country for those women who could not attend the gathering. In so doing they are living out the answer to their theme: they are influencers of God’s kingdom, and they do the work of building it, one bridge of hope at a time.

To support the Adelante Fund or the work of MHLP, visit www.mhlp.info/donations.