Nearly 1,350 members and guests gathered May 30 at Alverno College in Milwaukee to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist ministry in Wisconsin.
The anniversary brought together Hispanic congregations from the Wisconsin Conference and Lake Region Conference for a day of worship, fellowship and gratitude. The event, held in Pitman Auditorium, also served as the annual Hispanic Brotherhood Day and marked the conclusion of a statewide evangelistic caravan.
Additional seating was brought in to accommodate the crowd, which exceeded organizers’ expectations.
The celebration centered on the theme “Don’t Give Up, There Is Still Hope” and featured international evangelist Alejandro Bullón and Christian recording artist Felipe Garibo. Bullón presented biblical messages throughout the caravan while Garibo shared concerts focused on hope and spiritual renewal.
The caravan began May 22 and 23 at Madison East Seventh-day Adventist Church before continuing May 24 and 25 at the Sheboygan Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church. Meetings were held May 26 and 27 in Eau Claire before the final gathering in Milwaukee.
By the end of the evangelistic initiative, 65 people had publicly committed their lives to Christ through baptism.
The statewide effort was supported by months of preparation in local churches. Evangelists from Wisconsin Hispanic Adventist Youth, known as JAHWI, participated alongside guest speakers and 14 theology students from Peruvian Union University. Local campaigns helped prepare individuals for the meetings and the decisions that followed.
The Milwaukee program also recognized the people who helped establish and strengthen Hispanic ministry across Wisconsin during the past five decades.
Carmelo Mercado, general vice president of the Lake Union Conference, was honored for 50 years of pastoral ministry and for his longstanding support of Hispanic congregations in Wisconsin. He attended the celebration with his wife, Rosanne.
Wisconsin Conference President Titus Naftanaila and his wife, Rozina, also attended the anniversary program.
Evelio Miranda, Hispanic ministries coordinator for the Wisconsin Conference, described the celebration as evidence of God’s continued guidance and blessing.
Drawing from 1 Samuel 7:12, he summarized the anniversary with the words, “Thus far, the Lord has helped us.”
Evelio Miranda with Herald staff