Tales from the Convention Series, Part Six: Convention Wrap-Up

Welcome to our final update on the Convention series. This week we're looking at a recap of the convention and some of the advances it brought both for the pastors and delegates who attended, as well as the Mexican Lutheran Church body as a whole.

I recently spoke with Pastor Juan Jose Olvera, who serves a congregation in Torreon, about the convention. I'm interspersing our conversation and some final pictures below. Enjoy!


Rachel: What are some of the personal blessings you received from the convention?

Pastor Olvera: It was a good chance for me to listen to what some of the other pastors are doing and apply some of their ideas to my own field. I talked to Pastor Jorge Briones, who is currently doing door-to-door evangelism in the mission he's serving; I had come to the convention with big ideas of what I wanted to do in my own area of Torreon. Pastor Briones inspired me to return to the basics: I've started visiting people one-on-one near my church, and am giving a simple Bible study for another group.

What about blessings for the pastors?

Usually as pastors we're up in front, preaching and sharing God's message with others. At the convention, we got a chance to sit and listen to God's Word, sit in on Bible Studies, and absorb it.

I also saw that many of our new pastors are now taking on leadership roles and sharing their ideas - this shows a step forward for all of us, that others are stepping up and helping lead the church.


What blessings for the Mexican Lutheran Church did you see?

At this convention, there were more lay leaders who attended. Not only that, but they also spoke up, shared their ideas, and are helping out with projects. This again is a step forward for the church, to see more participating and leading on.


When is the next convention planned?

In the summer of 2012, we're having a convention in Mexico City.


Thanks to all who participated in this year's meetings in Monterrey. This wraps up our series on the 2011 Mexican Lutheran Church Convention. We're looking forward to seeing what blessings God brings the church during the coming year.