Congreso Experience Takes Place at HSU

(ABILENE, Texas)–For more than 50 years, Texas Baptists has been hosting the Congreso Experience. The event brings Hispanic students together for a time of worship, growth and reflection on God. Last Saturday, Hardin-Simmons was honored to organize a local Congreso Experience on campus for the first time.

A Congreso Experience is designed to provide regional students and leaders with an experience similar to the annual statewide Congreso event that started in 1964 as a ministry to Hispanic Baptist students and continues to impact thousands of lives across the state to this day. HSU’s event included a worship rally, workshops, and the opportunity to participate in a mission project or recreational activity.

“This year, we decided to do various local Congresos to let the participants know what to expect when they come to the big annual Congreso held at Baylor University in April, and encourage them to participate,” says Gabriel Cortes, Congreso coordinator.

The mission of this event is to emphasize the importance of education and connect those participating with the Baptist gospel.

“We want to show the youths that getting a younger education is not an impossible thing or a dream someone may have,” says Cortes.

The Congreso Experience is an all-day event, and there are different activities and workshops offered. In the morning, there was a worship rally, followed by a Hispanic panel, campus tour, recreational activities, and a mission project. Later, at Logsdon Chapel, they hosted a prayer. Some of the HSU presenters were Cassie Mattern, along with Grant Greenwood, and Kristina Davis. The Abilene community was present, along with people from the surrounding areas, Dallas, and Fort Worth.

Cortes explained that the primary goal of the Congreso Experience is to share and enjoy the walk with Christ and share the gospel with those present. They also focus on promoting the annual Congreso as well as the college experience.

“Our main audience is Hispanic, Baptist people who come from local Baptists churches. We want to give them a taste of what it is like to be in college and make them consider college as a choice for the future,” Cortes says.