About NHCLC
Who We Are
For twenty-five years, the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC) has connected and equipped Hispanic Christian leaders, pastors, and communities across the United States and around the world—strengthening the Church and advancing biblical values in society.
Recognized by media outlets such as CNN, Fox News, The New York Times, Univision, Telemundo, and NBC, and by scholars and publications including the bestselling book Latino Land, the NHCLC is widely regarded as the largest Latino Christian organization in America.
Our Mission
We exist to serve, unite and provide leadership to the Hispanic Christian community by focusing on ministerial health, prophetic activism and biblical unity.
Our Vision
To see a thriving Hispanic Church that is spiritually vibrant, socially engaged, and equipped to influence culture with biblical conviction and compassionate leadership.
Learn more about our journey
Our History
The roots of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC) trace back to the early 1990s, when Hispanic evangelical leaders began organizing nationally to strengthen the voice and influence of the Hispanic Church in the United States.
In 1992, Dr. Jesse Miranda founded the National Evangelical Ministerial Alliance (A.M.E.N.), the first national network of Hispanic evangelical ministers. This initiative created an important platform for collaboration, leadership development, and unity among Hispanic pastors across the country.
In 1995, Rev. Samuel Rodríguez joined a group of emerging next generation Hispanic leaders—including Rev. Nick Garza, Rev. Charlie Rivera, and others—to strategically coordinate the development of a Next Generation Hispanic Evangelical Movement through the National Hispanic Youth Congress.
Working in collaboration with denominational conventions, and through mobilization conferences that drew nearly 10,000 attendees in the Texas region, Rev. Rodríguez helped build momentum toward a broader national movement of Hispanic evangelical leadership.
As the new century began, Dr. Miranda passed the leadership mantle to Rev. Samuel Rodríguez. The Hispanic Congress and its initiatives were integrated with A.M.E.N., helping establish a unified national platform to serve and connect Hispanic evangelical churches and leaders across the United States.
The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC) was subsequently founded by Rev. Samuel Rodríguez together with Gilberto Vélez, Nick Garza, Israel Bermúdez, and Eliezer Bonilla. Since its founding, the NHCLC has worked to serve, unite, and equip Hispanic Christian leaders while strengthening the Church and advancing biblical values in society.
At a conference at Yale University, Rev. Samuel Rodríguez articulated the vision that continues to guide the NHCLC today:
“We are committed to reconciling the vertical and horizontal elements of the Christian Cross—a Cross that represents both covenant and community, salvation and transformation, righteousness and justice. John 3:16 and Matthew 25. Billy Graham and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Together we can uphold biblical truth, build a wall of righteousness and justice in this generation, while preparing the way for a new spiritual awakening in the name of Christ.”
Today, the NHCLC continues to strengthen pastors, unite leaders, and influence culture with biblical conviction while serving Hispanic communities across the United States and beyond.
Centers
We execute our directives, fulfilling our mission and vision through three delivery mechanisms designated as “Centers”.
Center for Ministerial Health
The Center for Ministerial Health focuses on the spiritual, physical, mental, financial and relational well-being of our spiritual leaders, providing them with the necessary support and resources to thrive in their calling. Our goal is to ensure that pastors and ministry leaders are equipped, both spiritually and practically, to lead their congregations effectively, fostering communities grounded in biblical principles.
Center for Public Policy
The Center for Public Policy works tirelessly to influence legislation and public discourse, advancing life, religious liberty, and biblical justice; advocating for policies that reflect our values and promote the common good. By engaging with lawmakers and mobilizing our communities, we aim to be a voice of moral clarity and compassion in the public square.
Center for Kingdom Collaboration
The Center for Kingdom Collaboration serves as a bridge, bringing together diverse Christian leaders and organizations to work towards common goals. By fostering unity and cooperation, actively pursuing to fulfill John 17:21, we can amplify our impact and more effectively address the spiritual and social challenges of our time.
Leadership
The leadership of the NHCLC is composed of pastors, ministry leaders, educators, and professionals committed to strengthening the Hispanic Church and serving communities with faith, integrity, and compassion.
Together they guide the mission of the NHCLC through spiritual leadership, strategic collaboration, and a shared commitment to advancing biblical values and empowering the next generation of leaders.