DALLAS (BP)–Michael Gonzales is joining the Annuity Board’s church marketing staff as the new area director with Hispanics, effective Dec. 6, bringing almost 30 years of ministry experience.
Most recently, Gonzales has worked as an ethnic consultant in the Baptist General Convention of Texas’ evangelism division.
In his new responsibilities, Gonzales will serve as the liaison between the Annuity Board and Hispanic ministers, employees, churches and related organizations within the Southern Baptist Convention. He also will promote the board’s retirement, insurance and financial support planning services and products to all churches in the California, New England and Hawaii Baptist
conventions.
Gonzales’ efforts will build on the ethnic work that was begun by Elias D. Pantoja, the Annuity Board’s former Hispanic director who died in an automobile accident in April of this year.
“I have known, loved and respected Mike Gonzales for many years,” said Annuity Board President O.S. Hawkins. “We are filled with anticipation and expectation at the prospect of serving more and more of our ethnic churches, ministers and employees in years to come under his leadership.
“His servant’s heart and commitment to excellence will have a positive impact on all our work here,” Hawkins continued. “I join all Southern Baptists in saying to Mike, ‘Bienvenido mi hermano! Welcome, my brother.'”
Gonzales, a graduate of Howard Payne University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Texas, brings broad experience to his new position. He ministered for 15 years as a missionary to Spain, as an editorial staff member of La Vision Bautista journal and as pastor in several churches across Texas, including First Mexican Baptist Church in Pleasant Grove and First Mexican Baptist Church in Cameron. He also served on ministerial staffs in Fort Worth, Dallas and Wichita Falls.
Gonzales and his wife, Dalia Marroquin Gonzales, currently reside in Mesquite.
Bridges is a communications projects manager for the Annuity Board.
