Talbot continued its longstanding efforts to equip and build relationships within the Hispanic Community this fall, as the Center for the Study of the Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit Today, in partnership with Talbot en Español and other campus departments, organized the 44th annual Biola Hispanic Conference on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. Close to 800 guests, consisting of 200 pastors, leaders, practitioners, and church congregants gathered to explore this year’s theme, “New Wineskins, New Wine: Renewing the Church, the Mind, and Hope in the Midst of a Divided and Broken World.” These themes typify the new wine, the new water and the new bread of life that we need to acquire as we live in a world of both internal and external complex crises. There is a deep hunger for answers in the biblical, practical and scientific spheres — but, most importantly, there is an insatiable thirst for the Holy Spirit to revitalize our hearts to face the challenges of the present. We believe that the church, ministry, education and the intentionality of our lives are the new wineskins of the God who restores everything.

Among many experts serving at the conference in the fields of psychology, pastoral care and leadership were multigenerational pastor Andrés Spyker and renowned historian and theologian Dr. Justo González. His words were offered with great humility and a depth of wisdom so striking, it would have been difficult to leave the room uninspired and unchanged. The week leading up to the event was robust with activity as Drs. Justo and Catherine González led chapel, attended a faculty and staff luncheon, enjoyed a meet and greet, and spent time with students at Fiesta Latina. We are eternally grateful for all of these servants of the Lord and their willingness to speak life into the Body of Christ. This year’s conference concluded with a lasting sense of wonder, expectation, and a deep knowing that the Spirit of God is with us.