What is "Obra Hispana" among Disciples?

The term Obra Hispana corresponds to what is generally known as Hispanic Ministries. It refers to the life and work of Hispanic and Bilingual congregations in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada [CCDC]. Our Church has over 200 Hispanic and Bilingual congregations and missions, plus other groups in the process of being organized.

The Obra Hispana is organized in six Hispanic and Bilingual Conventions:

• Arizona: Groups congregations in Arizona
• Northeast: Groups congregations in Canada, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina & Washington DC.
• Midwest: Groups congregations in Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Ohio, Missouri, South Dakota & Wisconsin.
• Pacific: Groups congregations in Washington, Oregon & California.
• Southeast: Groups congregations in Alabama, Georgia, Florida & South Carolina.
• Southwest: Groups congregations in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Lousiana & Texas.

These Conventions form the National Hispanic and Bilingual Fellowship, which meets every two years in its National Assembly.

The Obra Hispana celebrated its Centennial (1899-1999) officially at the Ninth National and Bilingual Assembly in July 1998, in San Antonio, Texas, where the first Spanish-speaking Disciples congregation was established.

The Central Pastoral Office for Hispanic Ministries (CPOHM) was established in July 1992, through a mandate of the CCDC's General Board. The mission of the CPOHM is to facilitate, promote, support, sustain, and coordinate the pastoral work with people of Hispanic heritage developed by Disciple congregations, Regions, and General Units.

The National Fellowship elects the National Pastor for Hispanic Ministries. This officer is the manager of the CPOHM. The duties of the National Hispanic Pastor are:

• Offer pastoral care to our Hispanic ministers and lay leaders.
• Serve as consultant on Hispanic Ministries to Disciple congregations, Areas, Regions, General Units, and other Disciple-related institutions.
• Advocate for the rights of Hispanic people and institutions before the different organizations that conform the CCDC.
• Manage the CPOHM.
• Represent the Obra Hispana.

The National Pastor for Hispanic Ministries of our church is Rev. Dr. Huberto Pimentel, who serves in this position since April 2006. The Administrative Associate for Hispanic Ministries is Hilda Robles, who serves in this position since January 2005.

The board of directors of the CPOHM is the Pastoral Commission for Hispanic Ministries. This body has 25 members: the moderator and one representative of each convention (12), the executive members elected by the National Fellowship in its Assembly (9), plus 4 members of the CCDC’s General Board (2 of which are Regional Ministers). The Pastoral Commission designs and approves the CPOHM's programs, evaluates the performance of the National Hispanic Pastor, and prepares the CPOHM's budget. The Pastoral Commission responds to the larger Church through the reports that the National Hispanic Pastor presents on its behalf to the Administrative Committee and the General Board of the CCDC.

The Central Pastoral Office raises funds from several sources: Disciples Mission Fund distributions; grants from philanthropic foundations; contributions from Hispanic congregations; donations from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Puerto Rico, and gifts from individuals and other Church groups.

These gifts and donations support the following administrative and programmatic areas: salaries, travel, office administration, publications, grants to new congregations or those with special needs, ministerial scholarships, meetings, and special projects for leadership development.

The aim of the Central Pastoral Office for Hispanic Ministries is to serve Hispanic and Bilingual congregations in a collaborative partnership with Disciple General Units, Regional Offices, Hispanic Conventions, and other ecumenical organizations.

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