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By Anna E. Portillo Originally published by the Hispanic Leadership Initiative on October 1, 2024. Republished by Shechem House Publishing with light editorial revisions. What does the story of a seemingly obscure 16th century Spanish priest of the order of San Jerónimo have to do with Reformed faith among Hispanic-Americans and Spanish-speaking Christians today? Many will scratch their heads. Perhaps, asking a similar question, you might have a different answer: what does th

Pastoreando como paletero in communities on the move By Anna E. Portillo Originally published by the Hispanic Leadership Initiative on April 9, 2024. Republished by Shechem House Publishing with light editorial revisions. Anyone who has spent much time in Latin America—or in a community with a large Hispanic immigrant presence—knows los paleteros. Especially on hot days, paleteros push their carts down streets and through neighborhoods, their campanitas ringing as they offer

Ciudadanos de una patria mejor By Anna E. Portillo Originally published by the Hispanic Leadership Initiative on July 2, 2024. Republished by Shechem House Publishing with editorial revisions and updated demographic information. “¿De dónde eres?” “Where are you from?” Often, it is a harmless question. It can invite conversation and communicate genuine interest. But depending on the person asking and the setting in which it is asked, it may also be emotionally charged. It can

El reto de los idiomas By Anna E. Portillo Originally published by the Hispanic Leadership Initiative. Republished by Shechem House Publishing with light editorial revisions. It is Sunday morning. In a small town in North Texas, the García family are sneaking into the back of a worship service that has already begun. Juan Miguel and his wife Carmen immediately engage in the Spanish worship – the sounds and lyrics resonating deep within hearts. But their children, Luisa and