Sowing into Our Future
The Office of Hispanic Relations has established a scholarship to honor the legacy of Jesse Miranda and Nino Gonzalez.
The Office of Hispanic Relations recently launched the Sowing into Our Future scholarship to honor the legacy of Jesse Miranda and Nino Gonzalez.
The announcement came during the Hispanic Relations Dinner, held Aug. 2, 2023, during the 60th General Council of the Assemblies of God in Columbus, Ohio. One of the most attended special functions during the event, the more than 350 pastors and leaders present, were a representation of the growing number of Hispanics within the Assemblies of God in the United States. The focus of the event was the launch of the Jesse Miranda and Nino Gonzalez Legacy Hispanic Scholarship Fund.
According to Dennis Rivera, director of the Office of Hispanic Relations, the Sowing into our Future scholarship is the vision and initiative of the 14 Hispanic Districts. He says the goal is “to create a scholarship fund that will provide help to Hispanic pastors who desire to earn a masters or doctoral degree in theology or practical ministry. The vision behind this scholarship is to prepare Hispanic pastors for ministry leadership in a changing world.”
Rivera added that the growing Hispanic community needs equipped pastors and leaders, but the cost of higher education is an obstacle that many pastors cannot overcome.
The scholarship is named after two influential leaders in the AG Hispanic story. Jesse Miranda was a pioneer leader who served as a pastor, district superintendent, educator, mentor, and was the first Hispanic nonresident elected to the Executive Presbytery, serving 22 years.
Nino Gonzalez has also been a very influential pastor, ministry leader, mentor, and district superintendent of both Puerto Rico, and the Florida Multicultural District. He also served as the first East Spanish language area executive presbyter, representing the East Region of Hispanic churches. Gonzalez has always been a proponent of higher education.
“Pastors of small churches who generally live on a shoestring budget will have an opportunity to attend one of the Assemblies of God colleges or universities,” Rivera said. “This scholarship means that more pastors will be better prepared to serve in leadership roles in their own districts or even at national levels of ministry.”
The financial goal is to raise one million dollars over a five-year period. Attendants gave more than $150,000 in cash and pledges during the Hispanic Relations Reception in Columbus.
Application for scholarship opens in January 2024, with first awards being applied in fall, 2024. Beneficiaries of this scholarship will be pastors who have at least five consecutive years of ministry in local churches. The Office of Hispanic Relations in conjunction with a committee of various ministry leaders who will receive and evaluate all applicants.
Donations will be held in the Hispanic Scholarship Trust Fund with the Assemblies of God. Individuals, local churches, and ministry organizations can donate to this fund through AG Giving: and search for Miranda Gonzalez Legacy Hispanic Scholarship in the “Your gift” box.
The announcement came during the Hispanic Relations Dinner, held Aug. 2, 2023, during the 60th General Council of the Assemblies of God in Columbus, Ohio. One of the most attended special functions during the event, the more than 350 pastors and leaders present, were a representation of the growing number of Hispanics within the Assemblies of God in the United States. The focus of the event was the launch of the Jesse Miranda and Nino Gonzalez Legacy Hispanic Scholarship Fund.
According to Dennis Rivera, director of the Office of Hispanic Relations, the Sowing into our Future scholarship is the vision and initiative of the 14 Hispanic Districts. He says the goal is “to create a scholarship fund that will provide help to Hispanic pastors who desire to earn a masters or doctoral degree in theology or practical ministry. The vision behind this scholarship is to prepare Hispanic pastors for ministry leadership in a changing world.”
Rivera added that the growing Hispanic community needs equipped pastors and leaders, but the cost of higher education is an obstacle that many pastors cannot overcome.
The scholarship is named after two influential leaders in the AG Hispanic story. Jesse Miranda was a pioneer leader who served as a pastor, district superintendent, educator, mentor, and was the first Hispanic nonresident elected to the Executive Presbytery, serving 22 years.
Nino Gonzalez has also been a very influential pastor, ministry leader, mentor, and district superintendent of both Puerto Rico, and the Florida Multicultural District. He also served as the first East Spanish language area executive presbyter, representing the East Region of Hispanic churches. Gonzalez has always been a proponent of higher education.
“Pastors of small churches who generally live on a shoestring budget will have an opportunity to attend one of the Assemblies of God colleges or universities,” Rivera said. “This scholarship means that more pastors will be better prepared to serve in leadership roles in their own districts or even at national levels of ministry.”
The financial goal is to raise one million dollars over a five-year period. Attendants gave more than $150,000 in cash and pledges during the Hispanic Relations Reception in Columbus.
Application for scholarship opens in January 2024, with first awards being applied in fall, 2024. Beneficiaries of this scholarship will be pastors who have at least five consecutive years of ministry in local churches. The Office of Hispanic Relations in conjunction with a committee of various ministry leaders who will receive and evaluate all applicants.
Donations will be held in the Hispanic Scholarship Trust Fund with the Assemblies of God. Individuals, local churches, and ministry organizations can donate to this fund through AG Giving: and search for Miranda Gonzalez Legacy Hispanic Scholarship in the “Your gift” box.
