Camp Allen | June 13–14.
In a strong sign of growth and community, 286 Hispanic lay leaders from across the Episcopal Diocese of Texas gathered at Camp Allen for the 2025 Hispanic Lay Leadership Conference, Viviendo el Evangelio en Tiempos de Cambio. This year marked a milestone, with the highest attendance in the conference’s history. More than just a series of workshops, the gathering felt like a family reunion—rooted in prayer, fellowship, and a renewed call to live the Gospel in a changing world. Since its restart in July 2012 with 69 attendees, we proudly celebrate 14 years of this vital gathering.
Under the pastoral leadership of Bishop Héctor Monterroso, the conference continues to grow as a vital space for equipping and empowering lay leaders. Two plenary sessions, four hands-on workshops, and shared moments of worship and fellowship encouraged participants to listen deeply, act boldly, and lean into the Spirit. The message echoed clearly: El futuro es ahora (The future is now).
In a warm video greeting, the Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle welcomed participants and shared a powerful reminder of what it means to follow Christ in today’s world:
“We must stop thinking of the church as something that only happens inside a building on Sunday mornings. True evangelism is not waiting for people to come to us but going out to them. The church of the future needs leaders who are adaptable, innovative, and grounded in faith.”
The Rev. Lorenzo Lebrija, Episcopal priest and Executive Director of TryTank, was selected as the keynote speaker for the weekend. Through two inspiring talks and a practical workshop, he reminded the group that the Church began in a home and continues wherever people gather with the intention to love, serve, and pray:
“At the moment we are baptized, we receive the Holy Spirit and become ministers… We prepare the environment and trust that God’s Garden will grow.”
In El Jardín: Plantados con Propósito, participants explored how small, Spirit-led communities rooted in Scripture, hospitality, and discipleship can help reimagine the church beyond the traditional model. In Manos a la Tierra, Lebrija offered practical steps to form gatherings in homes, inviting others into faith through simplicity and intentionality. His reflections also encouraged leaders to pray with people—not just for them—as a way of practicing everyday evangelism and opening space for transformation.
Workshops deepened this sense of calling. Sessions led by Mariely Gutiérrez (Círculos de Fe y Bienestar), Estela López with a team of lay leaders (Espacios Sagrados con tus Talentos), and the Rev. Kattia Corella Cubillo (Superando el Miedo, Abrazando el Cambio) offered tools for evangelism, resilience, and healing in local contexts.
Throughout the weekend, participants spoke of how their sense of belonging grew—not just as individuals, but as a Church. Multicultural and intergenerational voices shaped the conversation, with youth sharing openly and offering to help grow a Church that reflects their hopes. Lay leaders embraced the challenge to meet younger generations where they are, to ask how they want to experience faith, and to build together as one family.
The gathering concluded with a Healing Eucharist led by Bishop Héctor Monterroso, whose closing message lifted the courage and faith of the Hispanic community. Recognitions were given to longtime leaders whose service has planted seeds of faith and love across their communities. Their witness continues to inspire the next generation.
Relive all the special moments from the conference by clicking here.
