Bishop Sally Dyck delivered a message to more than 25 Hispanic/Latinx and Brazilian church planters from across the country at their first-time gathering in Northbrook on May 3. 

Dyck, who also serves as the President of the National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry, encouraged the planters to continue working on building up their churches by focusing on what the community needs and what would bring joy. She thanked the planters for all they're doing in their communities, in the United Methodist Church, and for the glory of God.

The Rev. Martin Lee, NIC Director of Congregational Development and Redevelopment, helped organize the two-day national gathering in conjunction with the National Plan and Discipleship Ministries Path 1 New Church Starts at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Lee said he invited five church planters from each jurisdiction to learn and share their successes, opportunities, and challenges with each other.

The goal is to develop a curriculum for Hispanic/Latino planters and a writing team was formed at the gathering to take the next steps.