By Kristen Thomason

For three days in August, 56 female pastors gathered to worship, learn, reconnect and rest at the Baptist Women in Ministry retreat for pastoras in Puerto Rico. Some of the participants were seminary students just beginning their ministries, some pastors of local churches looking for inspiration, some chaplains serving their communities, and others were retired pastors sharing what they learned from their abundance of experience. 

Rev. Xiomara Reboyras, pastor of Comunidad Cristiano Nuevo Pacto in DeLand, Fla., participated in the retreat. “We shared wonderful experiences only possible when 56 women pastoras come together to embrace their ministerial realities.”

In 2022, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship signed a Missional Relationship Covenant with the Iglesia Bautistas de Puerto Rico (Baptist Churches of Puerto Rico). Leaders like Reboyras in collaboration with CBF Latino Network FAMILIA are working diligently to foster relationships with the organization’s 114 churches, eight schools and 35,000 church members. 

Three Latina pastors from the continental United States, Rev. Yarelis Montes de Oca, Rev. Ruth Cuellar and Pastor Argiolys Roman, accompanied Reboyras on the retreat. “During my participation and presentation, I thanked the ‘pastoras’ of Puerto Rico for receiving my friends and colleagues from the United States in such a loving way, and the response I received literally moved me to tears. They said, ‘If they are your friends and they are from CBF, they are part of our family, and we love them,’” Reboyras said.

While ministers from the mainland attended the retreat with the intention of blessing the Puerto Rican pastoras, they came away blessed by the experience. “Connecting with the pastors of Puerto Rico has been the most beautiful thing that has happened to me ministerially in a long time,” said Pastor Yarelis Montes de Oca of Miami, Fla. “I feel part of something holy, sacred, important and owe valuable thanks to these wonderful women.”

The pastoras reminded Florida chaplain Argiolys Roman that “I didn’t need more knowledge or information for my mind; I needed encouragement for my heart; I needed to laugh and enjoy good times and good company.” Both women agreed that it was the conversations, encouragement and sharing of stories from lives spent in ministry that will continue to inspire and uplift them long after they return home.

“I feel lighter, knowing that we are strong and brave, because we are,” Montes de Oca said. “It’s good to reconnect and enjoy friendship at a ministerial, personal and authentic way.”

Reboyras believes in the importance of women supporting one another in ministry. “I was fortunate enough to have amazing role models, women ministers who walked with me and opened a path for me,” she said. “My one and only pastor until I became a pastor myself was a female, and I was an active part of her ministry and life.”

As a native of Puerto Rico, Reboyras also understands the challenges facing Hispanic pastors. “I learned to pray, preach and process emotions in Spanish and, as if that is not enough, I have an accent! As a Latina, as a professional and as a minister, I’ve accomplished everything I have worked for; but I am aware that I am one of the few and lucky ones, especially in my culture that can truly say, I learned from women and women helped me open the doors.”

Drawing from her own experiences, Reboyras is facilitating a CBF Thriving in Ministry cohort for 16 female pastors in Puerto Rico, all of whom attended the August retreat with support from CBF. Thriving in Ministry is a CBF initiative funded by the Lilly Foundation to assist pastors by connecting them with mentors and peers serving in similar situations. The Thriving in Ministry cohorts provide coaching tailored to ministry context and encourage members in their personal wellbeing.

The pastoras have been meeting together monthly since January 2023, either in person or via Zoom, and will continue their meetings until April 2024. “The connections and resources, as well as the possibility of developing stronger relationships with their peers on the island and in the United States, are providing this group with an opportunity like no other,” Reboyras said.

Pastor Ruth Cuellar of Iglesia Bautista El Buen Pastor in Newnan, Ga., sees the pastoras retreat and Thriving in Ministry cohort as part of CBF’s larger commitment to supporting women in ministry. “CBF is making it possible for Latina women with a call to ministry to have spaces like this to share, listen and walk together, honoring women as Jesus taught us.”

Whether it’s building new relationships on retreat or sustaining them through a Thriving in Ministry cohort, Reboyras is grateful for the chance to create connections among women in ministry. “One of the most beautiful opportunities that life gives us is the possibility of seeing the paths, efforts and ministries of many bear the wonderful fruit of becoming one.”

This article first appeared in the Winter 2023 issue of fellowship! magazine. Check out the issue and subscribe for free at www.cbf.net/fellowship.