Iglesias Abundantes

Convención Bautista Hispana de Texas (Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas) has received a grant of $999,839 from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help establish the Iglesias Abundantes program.

​

The program is funded through Lilly Endowment’s Thriving Congregations Initiative. The aim of the national initiative is to strengthen Christian congregations so they can help people deepen their relationships with God, build strong relationships with each other and contribute to the flourishing of local communities and the world. 

​

Lilly Endowment is making nearly $93 million in grants through the initiative. The grants will support organizations as they work directly with congregations and help them gain clarity about their values and missions, explore and understand better the communities in which they serve, and draw upon their theological traditions as they adapt ministries to meet changing needs.

​

Iglesias Abundantes will help Hispanic Baptist congregations engage the unique set of challenges that they face in ministry: varying immigrant generations, diverse language usage, and rapidly changing cultural needs. 

​

Over a period of five years, up to 50 congregations will have the opportunity to participate in a congregational learning experience that will explore the challenges, solutions, resources, and practices that will help them address the unique demands of their ministry setting. Congregations will create individualized Abundante Plans and will have the opportunity to receive up to $9,000 financial resourcing to implement their plan. 
 
Jesse Rincones, Executive Director of Convención, said, “We appreciate the interest that Lilly Endowment has in our congregations and the confidence in Convención to award this grant. Hispanic Baptist churches will have the opportunity to engage their unique ministry challenges and develop thriving congregations that will bless their ministries, communities and the Kingdom.” 

​

Convención Bautista Hispana de Texas is one of 92 organizations taking part in the initiative. They represent and serve churches in a broad spectrum of Christian traditions, including Anabaptist, Baptist, Episcopal, evangelical, Lutheran, Methodist, Mennonite, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Reformed, Restoration, Roman Catholic and Orthodox, as well as congregations that describe themselves as nondenominational. Several organizations serve congregations in Black, Hispanic and Asian-American traditions.

“In the midst of a rapidly changing world, Christian congregations are grappling with how they can best carry forward their ministries,” said Christopher Coble, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for religion. “These grants will help congregations assess their ministries and draw on practices in their theological traditions to address new challenges and better nurture the spiritual vitality of the people they serve.”  

Lilly Endowment launched the Thriving Congregations Initiative in 2019 as part of its commitment to support efforts that enhance the vitality of Christian congregations.

​

ABOUT LILLY ENDOWMENT INC.

 

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly & Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment exists to support the causes of religion, education and community development. The Endowment funds significant programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion. However, it maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis and home state, Indiana. The principal aim of the Endowment’s grantmaking in religion is to deepen and enrich the lives of Christians in the United States, primarily by seeking out and supporting efforts that enhance the vitality of congregations and strengthen their pastoral and lay leadership.