Over 150 people attended the conference with more than a third coming from outside of California. Anglican leaders including Archbishop Tito Zavala (Southern Cone) and our Anglican Church in North America Archbishop Robert Duncan participated in the conference in addition to Bp. Alberto Morales (Diocese of Quincy) and Canon William Beasley of Greenhouse. Rev. Jonathan Kindberg and Rev. Gabe Garcia (Rancho Hills Church) as the co-facilitators of this initiative were the emcees of the gathering.

The Hosting Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Eric Menees, and the hosting rector Fr. Antonio Castañeda, did a superb job of creating an atmosphere of unity and hospitality. Mrs. Gina Zamora was instrumental in the details, flow, and organization of this special gathering. Every seminar and plenary provided a bi-lingual experience, while the opening Eucharist was a blend of Anglo and Hispanic voices, music, and leadership. It was beautiful and beneficial.

I was blown away by the generosity and hospitality of the congregations of St. James Anglican Church and Nuestra Señora De Guadalupe. Among the many highlights of my time there was sharing breakfast with Rev. Jim Tolle, of Iglesia en el Camino in Los Angeles. Rev. Jim is no stranger to controversy as his desire to show hospitality has placed him front and center of the endeavor to bring a Christian and biblical perspective to the political discussion of immigration. Rev. Jim shared that he was hesitant to start a Hispanic church out of The Church on the Way (Jack Hayford), but from a beginning with a group of 50 to 60 God has blessed the work of Iglesia en el Camino tremendously. He says that God broke his heart and opened his eyes to see the necessity of incarnational ministry. His desire is to be present in the community and culture in meaningful ways. For example, Iglesia en el Camino has a "Blessing of the Children" service monthly which gives the members of the church a real tangible opportunity to invite their friends and family. Many come and stay because they see this church and its people truly have a heart to bless and serve. In the last three years, Iglesia en el Camino has planted 28 congregations with a desire to plant more. Amazing.

I came away deeply refreshed and encouraged. The majesty of the Gospel is that it transcends cultures and nations, ethnic distinctions and national politics. As I sat in a room of nearly 40 Hispanic American teenagers, we were reminded by Vania Garcia-Morrett (Rancho Hills Church) that we are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3.28). Archbishop Bob Duncan reminded us at this conference that our planting efforts and strategies are gearing us towards ministry to every tribe tongue and nation in North America. I wholeheartedly agree with the Archbishop.

I believe a new ministry reality is dawning. To effectively reach the "new number of unchurched" in North America we will need to see churches planted in every socio-economic, ethnic and demographic grouping in North America. Here's why:

God's heart is for the nations, so ours should be as well. One day all the nations will rejoice, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.

The world is at our back door. North America is radically diverse with representatives from every country in the world living in our cities. By reaching the nations in our midst, we can reach the nations of the world.

Different demographics, cultures, and subcultures require different methods and strategies for church planting. We must be intentional in developing these efforts and ministries.

Politics has limited success in bridging cultural divides, but the Gospel truly brings walls down. One Rwandan Bishop once remarked that the effect of seeing Rwandese and British Christians doing ministry together had a significant impact upon the East African Revival. So, we too, demonstrate the exceeding power of the Gospel when Anglos, Hispanics, and all other ethnicities from multiple generations work together in the cause of Christ. This cooperation has immeasurable transformational power in a world full of division from sin and unity in unholy causes.

Anglican 1000 seeks to foster and encourage a greater commitment to planting amongst the "nations" in North America. Our hope is to see effective and healthy ministries reaching every demographic that the Lord has gathered in North America. Caminemos Juntos. was a glorious glimpse of a reality we hope to see grow.

My hat is off to the men and women who are striving to see the Gospel take root and vibrant Christ-centered Anglican congregations among our brothers and sisters with a Latino and Hispanic heritage. May God continue to bless your work. You are an example to us all.

What about you? What nations has God brought to your door? How is he calling you and your church to reach the world living in your city?

"You are worthy to take the scroll And they sang a new song, saying: and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth." (Rev. 5.9-10)

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