Cal-Pac Update: Joel Hortiales to serve as Associate Director of Hispanic/Latino Ministries

Joel Hortiales to be Associate Director of Hispanic/Latino Ministries

It is with deep pleasure that I announce the selection of Rev. Joel Hortiales for the position of Associate Director of Hispanic/Latino Ministries for California-Pacific Annual Conference, effective July 1, 2013. Joel was ordained an elder in the Methodist Church of Mexico in 1998, and was elected a member in full connection of the California-Pacific Conference in 2011. He received a Master of Divinity Degree from Claremont School of Theology in 2008. He has served three churches in Cal-Pac Conference since 2000: Maywood UMC, El Buen Pastor in Santa Paula, and Santa Paula First UMC. Joel has a passion for Hispanic/Latino ministries that has come to life in many ways. He served on the Latino Council from 2000 to 2008, and spent six of those years as Council Chair. This was followed by four years as Chair of the Latin American Methodist Advocacy Group (LAMAG). In 2012, Joel was elected Advocacy Chair of Methodists Associated Representing the Cause of Hispanic Americans (MARCHA) for the new quadrennium, and he is currently working with MARCHA West on developing programs for young people throughout the Western Jurisdiction. Program development and planning are two of Joel’s many areas of expertise, as demonstrated by his participation as part of the design team for Spanglish, Cal-Pac’s annual youth event, and by his service on the design team for Cal-Pac’s Comprehensive Plan to Work with Hispanics.

As Associate Director of Hispanic/Latino Ministries, and in partnership with the Executive Director of Connectional Ministries and the Navigation Essential Ministry Team, Joel’s primary responsibilities will be:

to coordinate and mobilize leadership for the implementation of the 10-year strategic plan for the vitalization & multiplication of Hispanic/Latino congregations and ministries.
to be an advocate for Hispanic/Latino ministries in the Conference in cooperation with entities within the Annual Conference, and in connectional relationship with Jurisdictional and General Church offices responsible for Hispanic/Latino ministries.
to assist the Cabinet in identifying potential areas for new ministries with Hispanic/Latino communities.
to work closely with district superintendents and the Executive Director of Connectional Ministries in developing and supporting the District Committees on Hispanic Ministries to envision, coordinate and guide Hispanic/Latino ministries.
to assist clergy and lay leadership in the development of congregational vitalization strategies in consultation with district superintendents.
to provide technical support and training opportunities to congregations and projects that serve Hispanic/Latino people.

I am excited by the enthusiasm and passion Rev. Hortiales brings to the service of Christ Jesus as manifested in his advocacy for Hispanic/Latino ministries in our Conference and throughout the Jurisdiction.

Peace,
Bishop Minerva