Girien Salazar serves as deputy director for the Faith and Education Coalition of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, the nation’s largest Hispanic evangelical organization. He has also served as an associate professor at Latin American Bible Institute in San Antonio and has taught English in Mexico. Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas, named Salazar as its 2017 Outstanding Young Alumnus for Vocational Ministry. Influence magazine recently spoke with him.

How are you seeking to bring together faith and education?
We desire to equip individual Latino churches to bring education under the ministry umbrella of their church, ensuring that youth, their parents and the wider Hispanic community within their sphere of influence grasp the vital importance of high school graduation.

We also encourage pastors to engage in discussions on education happening in their state and local community and to advocate for high standards and good tests, which we believe will ensure excellent education opportunities for all students.

A child’s faith should impact the way he approaches education. We believe Christians are called to “love the Lord your God … with all your mind” (Luke 10:27). Students have a wonderful opportunity to worship the Lord through their educational journey and to approach school and learning as fervently as they would if they were ministering in the youth worship band or volunteering for a missions trip.

What can churches do in their communities to invest in the next generation through education?
Practically, first, we encourage our pastors to sign up for Education Sunday and to dedicate the first Sunday in September to ask the Lord for wisdom on how to best equip students in their congregations and communities in answering the call to love the Lord with all their minds.

Participating churches have access to free resources, such as sermon outlines, age-level Bible studies, tips from the College Board and Scholastic, and practical tips for parent-teacher relationship building and supporting students at home.

We have seen churches use Education Sunday to pray over their students and parents, and to challenge them to dedicate the new school year to the Lord. We have seen churches invite area teachers and school administrators to pray over and anoint them for the school year.

Churches can get as creative as they want. We often award two to three scholarships to participating students of churches through social media contests. Anyone can register their church by texting the word “member” to 444-999.

“I am convinced that Christ’s Church is the most powerful force on the face of the planet.” — Girien Salazar

Second, as pastors bring education under the ministry umbrella of their churches, aside from implementing volunteer-led after-school programs and tutoring sessions, I would also encourage them to implement a program that equips parents in the church and community on how to best support their children at home. So that these parents are developing the right character and habits to help their child succeed at school and when they go off to college.

If parents can become their child’s strongest support system, it would have tremendous positive implications for their children at school.

How can churches become more effective in reaching an increasingly diverse culture?
Practically evaluate whether the offered ministries and programs are exclusive only to certain members of a socioeconomic class or culture from the community.

For example, if I have an area in or near my community of people of a lower-income bracket who work Sunday mornings out of necessity, is my church capable of offering an alternative worship service Saturday night or Sunday afternoon?

Also, for example, within the Hispanic community there are often distinct cultural and language preferences between first-, second- and third-generation Hispanics. Does my church provide a ministry that will engage not only the parent but also her children?

What motivates you as a leader?
I am most motivated by being obedient to the call of God that I sensed over my life when I was 17 years old. There are so many needs in our communities and so many burdens that I carry for my city, state and country. I am moved every day by some new tragedy, or some new hope, but I continue to walk toward those areas where I sense the Spirit leading me, trusting the Lord is guiding my steps.

I am greatly heartened when I experience the work and blessings that the Lord has for me, knowing that God is faithful to His promises. I am convinced that Christ’s Church is the most powerful force on the face of the planet. There are no limits to what the Spirit can do through God’s people.

My heart is to see men and women of faith rise up and take on the mantle of leadership — not only in their religious community, but also in civic life — and to lead with sound morals and convictions, at all levels of civic and political institutions, being ready for and faithful to whatever God calls us.