By Dr. A. D. Beacham, Jr. Presiding Officer
It was a joy to be with the 98 delegates and over 100 visitors who attended the Northwest Latin Quadrennial Conference in Sunnyside, Washington on April 14, 2018. Eastern Washington is noted for its agriculture. Driving across the beautiful landscape one views miles of orchards beginning to bloom. When it’s clear, Mount Rainer is visible to the west.
There was excitement as the delegates and visitors filled the church auditorium. Many pastors spent time with Rev. Stephen Hanscom who was present representing the IPHC Extension Loan Fund. The conference began on Friday evening with a stirring sermon by Bishop Eleuterio Prieto. The church was full that night with over three hundred people present.
View of the delegates and visitors at NW Latin Conference
The Saturday morning session began with a devotional message by former conference superintendent and current council member Rev. Trinidad Gutierrez. Following his message, Presiding Bishop Beacham was introduced and called the business session to order. It was an honor to recognize the following who were present in the meeting: Rev. Enrique Guillen (former conference superintendent), Rev. Trinidad Gutierrez (former conference superintendent), Mrs. Maria Rivera (former conference Church Education Ministries director and member of the CEM Board). The following reports were read and approved: Decorum and Credentials.
Bishop Beacham introduced Conference Superintendent Prieto for the State of the Conference Report. It was inspiring to hear that Northwest Latin now has six congregations in Seattle, Washington. There are 35 congregations in 15 counties in 4 states (Washington, Oregon, Utah, and Idaho). Initial efforts have begun to plant new congregations in Spokane, Washington, and another congregation in Oregon.
The Resolutions Report was read and the portion dealing with the structure of the conference was adopted. Elections began for the Conference Executive Committee and the results are as follows:
Bishop Eleuterio Prieto re-elected Conference Superintendent
Rev. Trinidad Gutierrez was elected Assistant Superintendent
Rev. Jose Luis Marquez re-elected as Secretary/Treasurer
Rev. Jesus Arrendondo re-elected as Council Member
NW Latin Conference Executive Committee, 2018-2022 Left-Right: Luis Ruiz (Council Member), Trinidad Gutierrez (Assistant Superintendent), Eleuterio Prieto (Conference Superintendent), Luis Marquez (Secretary/Treasurer), Jesus Arredando (Council Member).
Rev. Luis Ruiz elected as Council Member
Following the election of the Conference Council, Bishop Beacham installed the newly elected board, reminding them of their fidelity to God, the teachings of the Bible, the IPHC Manual, and the vision, mission, core values, and goals of the IPHC.
The conference adjourned for lunch and reconvened at 2 p.m.
The following were elected to serve as directors of various conference ministries:
Evangelism, Rodolfo Mesa; World Missions, Jorge Estrada; Discipleship, Juan Arteaga; Intercessory Prayer, Arnulfo Estrada; Men’s Ministries, Jose Moreno; and Women’s Ministries, Norma Gutierrez.
Following the business, Bishop Beacham presented the 2018 core value video and theme, “We Prayerfully Value All Generations,” the promotional video of the July Hispanic Conference in Oklahoma City, and the Arise 2033 video. Connecting Generations with Arise 2033, Beacham presented the Arise 2033 goals with special focus on the territory of NW Latin.
This year there were no candidates to be licensed or ordained, as the candidates are still in their preparatory phases. The conference concluded with prayer for growth throughout the Northwestern USA.
