The Grace Bible Ministries annual conference was held in San Antonio, Texas, on Friday and Saturday, July 19 – 20. This is one of three IPHC conferences within the bounds of the second-largest land area state in the USA: Grace Bible Ministries (formerly the Texas Conference), Texas Latin Conference, and Great Plains Conference.
All the sessions of the conference were held at The Harvest Center PHC in San Antonio. This church is led by Pastor Alonzo Hurt and his wife Diann. Brother Hurt is a member of the conference executive council, and his wife is the conference WIN director. They have an anointed ministry in San Antonio and effectively reach the homeless and those in great need.
The conference began Friday morning with teaching from Dr. Luis Avila, IPHC director of Intercultural Ministries. Originally from Costa Rica, Dr. Avila provides excellent leadership and teaching for the growing diversity of IPHC members in the USA.
Many people are not aware that in the 29 IPHC conferences in the USA, the following are led by Hispanic superintendents and are either predominantly Hispanic or have a large number of Hispanic congregations:
Grace Bible Ministries (Texas) – Bishop David Salazar
Red de Ministerio Sonshine (Florida) – Bishop Blas Ramirez
West Coast Hispanic (Southern California) – Bishop Adam Villarreal
Mid-Atlantic Conference (Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, Washington, D.C.) – Bishop Abel Palomo
Texas Latin (Texas) – Bishop David Avila
Across Conference (Minnesota, the Dakotas, Iowa, Wisconsin) – Bishop Hector Andrade
Northwest Latin Conference (Washington, Oregon) – Bishop Eleuterio Prieto
We are thankful for the way the Holy Spirit is using our Hispanic brothers and sisters to make a godly impact in the USA.
The business session of the conference was held Friday afternoon. Bishop Scott Hampton from the Great Plains Conference (West Texas) was present and brought a greeting to the delegates. Dr. Luis Avila and Rev. Francisco Olivo were also present. Rev. Olivo is the founder of IPHC El Salvador and continues to serve in that Central American nation.
Three were ordained in the afternoon service: David Salazar, Jr. (son of Bishop and Mrs. Salazar), Abbie Gonzalez, and Andres Dominguez.
Bishop David Salazar reported that there are 19 congregations and two house churches in the conference. These churches are in five districts across Texas: Valley District (South Texas), Capital District (Austin area), Corsicana District, Dallas-Fort Worth District, and the Houston District.
Presiding Bishop Beacham preached the evening service held at The Harvest Center.
Saturday morning was given to intercessory prayer and training.
I was very encouraged about the recent progress in Grace Bible Ministries. It is a diverse conference with people representing the primary ethnic groups of Texas. Bishop Salazar has faithfully led the conference in consistent reporting and tithing. The conference is the strongest it has been in several years. Bishop Salazar promotes Arise 2033 and the ministers and lay leaders are catching the vision of reaching the lost for Jesus Christ.
