From March 28 to 30, the halls of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary came alive with music, prayer, and a renewed sense of mission as about 60 Hispanic/Latinx pastors and lay leaders from the North Central Jurisdiction gathered for the Escuela de Ministerios 2025 (School of Ministries), an event hosted by GETS's Hispanic Center, in close collaboration with some of the NCJ directors of connectional ministries.

The Northern Illinois Conference played a key role in working hand-in-hand with GETS to provide space, vision, and support. Together, we formed a team committed to creating a spiritual and educational refuge for Hispanic leaders in ministry.

Six NCJ conferences were represented: Northern Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, and East and West Ohio. This vibrant gathering marked a holy moment for the Hispanic/Latinx community; a people who, amid the wounds caused by disaffiliations in The United Methodist Church, uncertainty, challenges, and persecution, came together to seek healing, purpose, empowerment, and renewal.

The theme, "Renewing Our Call: Leadership and Ministry in the Wesleyan Spirit,” echoed through every workshop, worship service, and conversation. Workshops focused on renewing their calls to serve as United Methodist leaders and discussing strategies for building resilient leaders and communities of faith.

Bishop Dan Schwerin of the Northern Illinois–Wisconsin Episcopal Area welcomed the participants and preached a powerful sermon at the opening service.

“Every member of the body of Christ is of sacred worth. Every member of the body has gifts to bring, and every member of the body in the way we belong to each other has the power to make Christ known. We must be clear that racism is incompatible with Christian teaching," the bishop said.

He encouraged everyone to take their faith deeper and find their own answers as to why they are here, and that they will meet our potential for ministry with millions of Hispanic-Latinx populations who are under attack and need support and good shepherding.

A group of fourteen NIC pastors attended and committed to continue supporting each other. Pastor Roberto Moreno from The Movement Church in Franklin Park, IL, said, “It is wonderful to have these opportunities as Hispanic/Latinx pastors and leaders to come together to share our experiences and to learn together. This weekend reminded us that we are not alone—God is still calling us, and we still have a place in this larger family.”

This Escuela de Ministerios was more than a conference; it was a prophetic response. In the face of challenges and uncertainty, there is still hope in the Hispanic/Latinx community, which is alive, faithful, resilient, and rising.

Pastor Audrey Rochet from Centennial UMC in Rockford said,  “We may have been wounded, but we are not finished. This weekend reminded me that our call comes from God, and God has not stopped calling.”

Rev. Dr. Javier Viera, GETS president, presided at communion during the closing worship service and sent out the participants to return to their communities not as the forgotten, but as chosen leaders, renewed and empowered to continue to lead and make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. God is clearly not done with the Hispanic/Latinx community!