Collection I/06/006 - Hispanic Mennonite Convention Records

The Hispanic Mennonite Convention was a national denominational organization that represented the interests and concerns of Hispanic Mennonites in the (Old) Mennonite Church. 

Before the late 1960s, Hispanic Mennonite congregations had no particular representation or organization within the govenance of the Mennonite Church.  Two organizations under the Mennonite Board of Missions, the Urban / Racial Council (1968) and the Minority Ministries Council (1969-1973), were created to represent Mennonites of color.

In 1974, the Office of Latin Concerns was established as an official governing body of the Mennonite Church.  In 1975, the organization was renamed the Concilio Nacional de Iglesias Menonitas Hispanas.  Around 1990, the organization was again renamed as the Hispanic Mennonite Convention.

Leaders of the Hispanic Mennonite Convention were Jose Ortiz (1974-1981), Samuel Hernandez (1981-1991) and Samuel Lopez (1991-2001).

The Hispanic Mennonite Convention was dissolved under the 2002 merger of the Mennonite Church and the General Conference Mennonite Church.  Within the Mennonite Church USA, Hispanic interests are represented by the Iglesia Menonite Hispana.