Mexican retreat protects Hispanic pastors’ well-being

Familia, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s Latino Network, provided a haven of rest and renewal during a mid-September retreat on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

Thirty CBF Hispanic pastors and leaders from the U.S. mainland and Puerto Rico gathered in Mérida, on the Gulf of Mexico. For about a week, they recuperated from the ravages of ministering through the COVID-19 pandemic, including the loss of loved ones and suppressed church attendance. The retreat offered an oasis for clergy who needed to disconnect from their daily ministerial routines.

“This trip solidifies and establishes a new time in the Familia network,” said Rubén Ortiz, CBF’s Latino field ministries coordinator. "We want to put a lot of emphasis on pastoral and congregational well-being."

“Stop,” “enjoy” and “rest” characterized daily reflections during the retreat. The three words also underpinned the importance of self-care, an essential practice for pastors and leaders to be resilient during uncertain times, Ortiz noted.

"It was demonstrated that the rhythm of rest, the personal disciplines of reflection and the ministerial camaraderie are essential tools for healing in the pastoral ministry of the 21st century," he said.

Retreat participant Anyra Cano, coordinator of Texas Baptist Women in Ministry, agreed with Ortiz’s assessment of the importance of self-care. 

“Sometimes, we have to take risks and step away to work on taking care of our souls and sort out the heaviness in our hearts and minds. To stop, play, rest and marvel at God’s creation,” Cano posted on her Facebook page. 

Participants stressed the need for pastors to enjoy a break from the demands of human interaction. 

"The pastors of Familia are people with a great spiritual and human sensitivity, so it is ... like sharing with a family," said David Deulofeu, pastor of Templo Bautista de South Houston—Baptist Temple of South Houston. "It helped us realize we are not alone.

“It was a different experience … to renew our strength in a year where pastors have gone through different spiritual, personal and congregational difficulties due to the coronavirus.” 

The event also marked the first time CBF Hispanic pastors and leaders from all over the United States met Rosalío Sosa, pastor of Iglesia Bautista Tierra de Oro—Land of Gold Church—in El Paso and a member of Fellowship Southwest’s immigrant relief ministry. 

“It struck me to know that the pastors are very well-prepared, but the more prepared they are, the simpler and more genuine they are, like children,” Sosa said. “Now, I have the desire to contribute to CBF with more enthusiasm, since I found this beautiful family.”