This program is designed to connect worship leaders of Latin American descent living and working in the United States with worship leaders from across Latin America for a time of shared learning, relationship-building, and inspiration. The faculty will present fully bilingually (Spanish & English) and will represent scholars and practitioners from across Latin America and the United States.
We are pleased to announce our official partnership with Red Crearte, a Latin American organization made up of people interested in supporting a work space in the field of music and liturgical art from an ecumenical and Latin American perspective.
We hope to accomplish two main things through this trip and future programs:
> Building/fostering a network of Latin American worship leaders who can cultivate ecumenical and musical growth and education by working together across national border.
> Helping Latinx worship leaders in the U.S., who often feel disconnected to their Latin American heritage, to find inspiration, education, and connection to the broader Latin American worshipping community.
To apply as a participant or as a sponsoring institution, email ccs@thehymnsociety.org with the subject line “Latinx Leadership Connection Program”.
Dates: January 25-30, 2024 (1 day travel + 4 full days + 1 day travel)
Location: Barranquilla, Colombia at the Universidad Reformada
Programming: Fully Bi-Lingual Programming (Spanish/English)
Registration Fee: $1700 USD for US-Based Participants
> Registration Includes: Roundtrip Airfare from major US Airport, All Programming, Food & Lodging
More Details:
> This program is an ecumenical gathering, so participants will be expected to have the ability to respect and converse with those whose expression of Christianity differs from their own
> All programming will be offered by bilingual teachers, so Spanish skills are not required, though they will be helpful
> Programming will be held at Universidad Reformada as well as local churches and places of interest
> Travel will be booked by The Hymn Society from each participant’s nearest major US airport
> Travel Days are Thursday, January 25th and Tuesday, January 30th, 2024
> Hotel accommodations will be at Howard Johnson by Wyndham Barranquilla Versalles Carrera 48 70 188, Barranquilla, Colombia
> Each participant is responsible for acquiring their passports prior to the trip
> US Citizens do not require a visa to travel to Colombia
> Registration must be paid in full by September 1st, 2023
> Participants travel at their own risk – traveler insurance is recommended
> Latin American heritage is not required for participants, but the program is designed for that demographic. Participants must show a vested interest in building Latin American church music relationships and knowledge before being accepted
> Prior to September 1st, 2023 refunds will be available minus a $100 fee
> After September 1st, 2023 refunds will be considered on a case-by-case basis
Rev. Gerardo Oberman (Argentina, Reformed) – Teacher & Facilitator (bio here)
Dr. Amós López (Cuba, Baptist) – Teacher (bio here)
Dr. Louis Marcelo (Brazil, Lutheran) – Teacher (bio here)
Dr. Soraya Eberle (Brazil, Lutheran) – Teacher (bio here)
Horacio Vivares (Argentina, Guitar & Orchestra) – Teacher (bio here)
Dr. Marcell Silva Steuernagel (Brazil/US, Lutheran) – Teacher (bio here)
Rev. Dr. Mikie Roberts (World Council of Churches/Moravian) – Teacher (bio here)
Brian Hehn (US) – Facilitator (bio here)
Additional Faculty TBD…
We are grateful to our host institution Corporación Universitaria Reformada (Barranquilla, Colombia), our international ecumenical sponsor Qonakuy (Platform of Protestant and Evangelical Universities of Latin America), faculty sponsor Perkins School of Theology, and participant sponsor the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship.
