In more than 20 years of pastoral ministry within the Seventh-day Adventist Church I’ve arrived at a point where my life and ministry have become somewhat mechanical. To describe it in another way I would say that I know what to do to “get the job done” in ministry. As a Hispanic pastor I know the sub-cultural expectations, our “rules”, duties, and the “dos” and “don’ts” within my context. I know too that that is no way to do ministry! What I long for is a renewed sense of the deep, Spirit-filled, bold, faith that I know should drive my ministry. My Sabbatical experience would take me to the birthplace of Martin Luther in Lutherstad Eisleven, Germany for three weeks. I would spend the time visiting the places where Martin Luther’s faith was nurtured. The next part of my Sabbatical would take me to the simple yet profound experience of a Mennonite/Amish community in Berlin, Ohio for one week. On our return from Ohio I plan to stop in Houston, TX to worship at Lakewood Church during the Spanish service lead by Marcos Witt. The final two weeks of the Sabbatical will be spent in the beauty of the backcountry of Utah camping, and hiking with my wife and son.

I’m trusting that as a minister saturated in a renewed faith that my influence can spread to my wife and son. I believe this same renewed faith can also deeply impact Nueva Esperanza the community of believers that I have led for the past eight years.