Anybody recognize this song title? Well times have changed in Laredo my friend.
My Leadership Network colleague, Dr. Warren Bird, invited me to tag along on a recent visit to my old stomping grounds – South Texas – Laredo, Texas to be exact. Through a series of network connections, Warren met Dr. Gilbert Velez, senior pastor of Iglesia Cristiana Misericordia, and requested a visit with Dr. Velez on his home turf. So we hopped a plane a couple of weeks ago, in freezing cold Dallas, and an hour and a half later were greeted by balmy temperatures and Dr. Velez on the other end. Ah, Christmas season in South Texas. I remember it fondly – trimming the tree in shorts, T shirts and flip flops – my kind of winter weather!
But back to our visit. Dr. Gilbert Velez wears a couple of interesting hats. He serves as senior pastor at above referenced church and also as Vice President Governmental Affairs for the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference. He is also the lead point person charged with the responsibility of designing the framework for forming a new, national network of Latino churches. Warren and I were very interested in hearing more about this new network of Latino churches. We were pleased when Dr. Velez expressed interest in partnering with Leadership Network as their new church network gets off the ground. Dr. Velez drove us to lunch at one of the local restaurants, with excellent food I might add. I had the chicken enchiladas suizas, one of my personal favorites, accompanied by real 
salsa, the kind that burns all the way down to your toenails as it goes down – mmmm……mmmmm…..mmmmmmmm! I miss South Texas food too. (Please excuse the digression.)
After a short drive, which describes just about every drive in Laredo, we arrived at the church. We were warmly greeted by the staff. Then came a tour of the relatively new facility (2 years old now) with a worship center that seats 3,500. Iglesia Cristiana Misericordia is one of the largest, if not the largest church in Laredo. Dr. Velez told us that the church is located in a high growth area of the city. I believe it since I noticed numerous building projects along our route in various stages of completion. I inquired about what was driving the growth in Laredo these days. Dr. Velez explained that Laredo is located on the Trans-Texas Corridor and is a major point of entry into the U.S from Mexico. The Trans-Texas Corridor is part of the NAFTA Superhighway linking Mexico, the United States and Canada. The import-export business is the central economic driver in this city and the primary reason for its exponential growth these days.
Following the church tour, we accompanied Dr. Velez to his office and settled in for some conversation. Dr. Velez, a native of Puerto Rico, shared with us how difficult it was in the beginning of his ministry career to give up his medical practice which he dearly loved. His wife was also trained as a skilled physician. Both of them gave up their medical careers to answer God’s call to full time ministry. Now they are into a different kind of healing. He told us about his mentor, a very wise San Antonio businessman who was one of the first to recognize God’s call on his life and helped him launch his ministry career. They have maintained a close relationship all these years and still visit each other frequently.
Entering the ministry through a different door, namely from the medical profession to ministry, Dr. Velez shared his thoughts on leadership. He told us that large churches like Iglesia Cristiana Misericordia are similar to corporate businesses in many ways. (Finish reading this before launching into a rant against the corporatization of the local church.) He recognizes the importance of thoughtful strategic planning, management and administration – all of which bring a sense of order to the body. He reminded us that this sense of order is compatible with the Holy Spirit. Reason enough to pursue and to implement within the church. It’s worked quite well for them.
We asked Dr. Velez to tell us why he thinks Iglesia Cristiana Misericordia is experiencing such healthy growth. He shared with us some of the reasons:
• Joyful celebration during every service,
• Teaching of the Word,
• Ministries designed to serve the people’s needs,
• A non-judgmental, safe haven for every individual who walks through their doors.
Simple things, yet so very important to the health and well-being of the body. He told us several stories about people who came and stayed because they felt welcomed and loved in a non-judgmental church environment – something they had never experienced before. Entire families are benefiting, new ministries are being created, and there is a real sense of joy and worship to the Lord in this place.
I could go on but I won’t. I will yield the floor (what’s the blog equivalent to yielding the floor?) to my esteemed colleague, Dr. Warren Bird, so he can tell the rest of the story (yes, I stole this line from Paul Harvey. Please don’t sue me Paul.).
Useless trivia alert! About that song – The Streets of Laredo – here’s the Johnny Cash rendition if you haven’t heard it before, LINK.
Linda Stanley serves as Director of Life Stage Leadership Communities and provides leadership for the Next Generation Pastors Leadership Community groups. The Next Generation Pastors Leadership Community exists to create relational peer networks of senior pastors who share similar ministry challenges and desire connections to other leaders serving in similar ministry situations. Additional information is on our website - www.leadnet.org, linda.stanley@leadnet.org
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