Nearly 350 Spanish-speaking members assembled on Dec. 3, 2005, in the Puget Sound Adventist Academy gymnasium for an outreach training session with speaker Jose Angel Fuentes.

The annual Spanish Lay Congress session, sponsored by the Washington Conference, is designed to give additional outreach tools to the fastest-growing segment of the conference.

“We want all members to continue to grow in their ability to reach people for Christ in the coming year,” said Jim Leon, pastor and congress organizer.

Fuentes challenged his audience to actively participate in outreach. Looking to Jesus Christ, he said, provides the motivation for outreach.

Before the meetings began, Julio Maldeneda shared his expectations. “I expect to receive spiritual motivation to continue to work for the Lord,” he said.

As the day ended, that was certainly what happened. The Spanish-speaking members of the Washington Conference are looking forward to a great year of soul winning in 2006.