ABHMS, Judson Press sponsor free men’s event

Absentee fathers. Young men lacking direction. Boys without male role models. These challenges to today's families are the focus of"Hombres de Gran Valor" ("Men of Great Valor") to be held 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at Second Baptist Hispanic Church of Philadelphia. Males of all ages and all walks of life are encouraged to attend this ecumenical event, which was created by a partnership of Hispanic churches in Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware and is presented free of charge through the generosity of American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS), Judson Press and
other organizations.

Based on Judges 6:12 ("And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, ‘The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valor'"), the day will focus on the various roles of men in society and the importance of men's contributions to the church.

"We need to reaffirm the role of the male in the family—it doesn't mean that men are there to be the masters, but we're there to be with the family. We see in society that the male has lost the role to teach and keep the family in a Christian model," says Riqui Sepulveda, Judson Press customer service supervisor/inventory manager, who is providing publicity for the event as a member of the event's
host church.

"There's nobody there to help to bring them in," says Sepulveda, referring to the absence of male role models in church and, hence, the absence of youth.

Event speakers are the Rev. Eddie Cruz, ABHMS associate executive director of Mission Interpretation and Development; Angel Pagan, ABHMS investment accountant; Rev. Jose Munoz of Iglesia Internacional Cristiana Arbol de Vida and Iglesia Arca de Salvacion Siloam, both in Philadelphia; and Rev. Gerardo Castellon of Iglesia Pentecostal Genesaret II, Woodbury, N.J.

The day will include an altar call and anointing with oil for those who choose.

The Rev. Ernest Flores, pastor at Second Baptist Church, Germantown, Pa., will be on hand to sign copies of his book "Tempted to Leave the Cross: Renewing the Call to Discipleship."  In addition,
other Judson Press books will be for sale at a table managed by Tammy Tull, Judson Press customer service representative, who is volunteering her time. Proceeds from the sale of Judson Press
books will be donated toward next year's event, and the event committee hopes that the event will continue annually.

In addition to Second Baptist Hispanic Church, Iglesia Internacional Cristiana Arbol de Vida and Iglesia Pentecostal Genesaret II, other churches involved in organizing the event are Iglesia Casa de Bendiciones and Iglesia Mision Misionera Macedonia, both of Philadelphia. Each is donating time, services and supplies.

All workshop materials, breakfast and lunch are free of charge. Members of the Congress of Latin Women, a national organization, will prepare the food, which was donated by the event's main sponsors, Victor and Ada Vidal, who are members of Iglesia Internacional Cristiana Arbol de Vida and owners of"Tree of Life" Behavioral Services, a Christian rehabilitation center and clinic in Philadelphia. In addition, Ada is president of the Congress of Latin Women.

Those planning to attend are encouraged to register so that event planners can provide appropriate quantities of food and materials. To register, please call Janet Rosas at 215-533-5433 by
Thursday, Oct. 18.

< < Back