Hispanic Ministry
Experience the transformative power of Holy Discomfort as you embark on a spiritual journey. Join us for an inspiring event that invites you to explore the depths of your spirituality and confront the profound questions that shape our existence. We'll delve into personal growth, surrender, crisis, and paradox through four in-depth sessions. We want to consider how we move closer to God in community and with each other, knowing that we will be called upon to lean on each other at discomfort points. We will ask ourselves, what does it mean to embrace holy discomfort? We want to encourage ourselves to imagine this discomfort for the ministry and community.
COMMUNITY SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12
10:00 - 11:00 a.m. | “Embracing the Shadows: Finding the Light in Difficult Times” | Jonathan Hanegan
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | “Rising Above: Letting Go of Our Self-Importance” | Ladislao Robinson
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. | “Navigating Spiritual Crisis: Finding Meaning in Dark Times” | Omar Palafox
3:00 - 3:30 p.m. | Prayer Time | Alejandro Ezquerra
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. | “Finding Meaning in Discomfort: Accepting the Paradoxes of Life” | Nora Kviatkovski
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13
8:45 - 10:45 a.m. | Cafecito and Time of Sharing (Ministries, Services, Schools, etc.)
FACILITATORS
kIM hARDIN
ALEJANDRO EZQUERRA
Alejandro Ezquerra is a Mexican-American Church of Christ minister who serves as the bilingual minister at the University Church of Christ in Abilene. Prior to coming to Abilene, he served for 15 years at Bammel Church of Christ in Houston, Texas. Alejandro holds degrees in theology, journalism, and Spanish, as well as an M.Div. from Abilene Christian University and teaches as an adjunct professor on campus. He is currently working toward his D.Min. from ACU. Alejandro, who is fluent in both English and Spanish, is a recurrent speaker at conferences in the United States, Central America, and South America. He loves music and especially The Beatles. He loves to ride his Harley, read, play the guitar, and pet his cat, Calico. Alejandro and his wife, Paulina, raised three girls and are now grandparents to an amazing baby boy.
David Kneip
OMAR PALAFOX
Omar Palafox, originally from Mexico, is a missionary and a professor of intercultural studies within the Department of Bible, Missions and Ministry at ACU. His educational background includes prestigious institutions such as SIBI, LCU, ACU, and Fuller Theological Seminary, where he received a doctorate in intercultural studies. With a wealth of pastoral experience, he has successfully established churches, guided believers in their spiritual growth, and provided mentoring through coaching. Driven by his passion for research, Dr. Palafox explores the convergence of theological education and spiritual development in missiology. He actively collaborates with others, engaging in collective efforts to advance theological education.
session information
In addition to opportunities for reflection, prayer, sharing, and fellowship led by Alejandro Ezquerra and Omar Palafox, the Hispanic ministry community can look forward to the following sessions:
speakers
JONATHAN HANEGAN
Missionary and Coordinator, Taller Teológico Latinoamericano (Buenos Aires, AR)
Session 1: “Embracing the Shadows: Finding the Light in Difficult Times”
LADISLAO ROBINSON
Staff Chaplain, Ben Taub Hospital (Houston, TX); Pastor, Iglesia Bautista Lindale (Lindale, TX)
Session 2: “Rising Above: Letting Go of Our Self-Importance”
OMAR PALAFOX
Professor, Department of Bible, Missions, and Ministry and Graduate School of Theology (ACU)
Session 3 “Navigating Spiritual Crisis: Finding Meaning in Dark Times”
NORA KVIATKOVSKI
Religious of Jesus-Maria and Professor, Catholic University of Córdoba (Buenos Aires, AR)
Session 4: “Finding Meaning in Discomfort: Accepting the Paradoxes of Life”