Social Justice and Convención

So how do you connect the topic of Social Justice and La Convención Bautista Hispana de Texas? It is actually pretty simple. I have asked friends and colleagues to write on the topic of social justice over the last two weeks. We had some awesome blogs related to the topic of social justice and what it meant to each of the writers. These writers also wrote to encourage you to focus on social justice and how it might intersect with your life. Topics included poverty, immigration, economics, personal relationships, stewardship, educational access and opportunity, the Middle East, adoption, human trafficking, loving neighbors as ourselves, and the history of social justice as found in Buckner’s history. These have been phenomenal, personal, and inspiring blogs with practical application and an invitation to engage your heart, soul, and mind in the things that matter to Jesus.

La Convención, approaching its 99th annual meeting has developed a place for Spanish-language and Hispanic culture churches and missions to gather for fellowship, inspiration, and encouragement but it has also focused on issues of social justice that concern the Hispanic community in the United States and in other countries. Several years ago the La Convención passed a resolution affirming ministry to the undocumented community in Texas and the USA. The same year, the BGCT also passed a resolution affirming the same concerns and encouraging churches to meet the needs of the undocumented in our communities. These resolutions prompted Buckner and the BGCT to establish the ISAAC program, a collaborative effort between the BGCT and Buckner to equip local congregations for accreditation with the Immigration Service to properly serve undocumented immigrants that qualify for legal residence and citizenship. While the ISAAC program is not limited to serving the Hispanic community, ISAAC provides services in Texas to support the needs of undocumented Hispanics throughout the state and country. Are the undocumented our neighbors too? What would social justice mean to those who are here without proper documentation that come to this country seeking the same opportunities we have? How do we balance the rule of law with biblical justice and righteousness?

This year the Buckner will co-host an Education Banquet at the annual meeting of the HBCT focusing on developing programs that support the completion of high school for Hispanic youth. Dr. Gus Reyes, Consultant for Hispanic Education with the BGCT began a new assignment to improve the Hispanic high school completion rate among Hispanic Baptist youth this year. The HBCT will celebrate this effort and affirm support for this program that is designed to reverse the trend of a 50% drop out rate among Hispanic youth. Felipe Garza, Buckner Vice President for National Operations, served as Chair of the Hispanic Education Study Committee from 2005 through 2008 that brought forth the recommendation to hire a full time consultant to address the issue of educational success rates among Hispanic youth. We were ahead of the curve on this issue back in 2005 and continue to support this effort to make life better for Hispanic youth who face a life of minimum wages without a high school diploma or a college degree.

Dr. Karen Bullock, in her article on this blog dated June 1, 2009, helped us see that R.C. Buckner was way ahead of his time. He addressed social issues and concerns as a Baptist pastor before the movement was born. In a very deliberate way, R.C. Buckner went about pursuing the things that mattered to Jesus, like justice and righteousness for children and families 130 years ago. Buckner and La Convención are focused on these issues, seeking first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness.

Comments

[gus reyes]

SEVEN scholarships will be given away at the Hispanic Baptist Convention to students graduating in 2009 and other college students.
The application and requirements can be found at
http://www.bgct.org/texasbaptists/Document.Doc?id=6946

OR you can go to the Hispanic Baptist Convention page at the BGCT.ORG website. We are excited to partner with First Command Foundation to provide training and the scholarships. Please help us share the word to students.
This is one of many steps to help us encourage students to finish high school. Pray for us as we move forward. I hope to see you at the Hispanic Baptist Convention
Gus

[Albert Reyes]

Gus,thanks for this information. This is real time action in an effort to reverse the trend of Hispanic drop out rates in Texas. Thanks for your efforts.