Christian Latina Leadership Blog

By: Nora O. Lozano

Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí

At the beginning of this month, we had a wonderful gathering at the CLLI North Carolina. Veronica Martínez-Gallegos, CLLI NC coordinator, hosted a brunch for members of the three different CLLI North Carolina cohorts (2012-15, 2016-2018, and 2022-2024). CLLI graduates, and former and current students gathered to reconnect with each other and narrate CLLI stories.

As we ate delicious Honduran and Salvadoran food, we heard stories of how the CLLI training had made an impact in the lives of these CLLI North Carolina sisters. Somone shared about how after taking the CLLI classes, she was inspired to go back to school to obtain her BA. Another one shared regarding the impact that the class on Boundaries had in her life, and how after learning to say “no” and to set healthy boundaries, her life changed so much for the better.  Someone else shared about making a special effort to be able to graduate, and how this changed her perception of the things that she could do and achieve in life. It was a wonderful time of remembering and celebrating God’s blessings in the lives of these CLLI North Carolina sisters and the CLLI as an organization.

After hearing with gratitude these powerful stories, I shared about the importance of being grateful for the many blessings that we received during the CLLI training: knowledge, transformation, empowerment, friendships, and new beginnings.

I shared how in the Bible, every person who was the recipient of a blessing did not receive this blessing only for him or herself, but also for the sake of others. These biblical characters were blessed to bless someone else. Furthermore, I mentioned that this biblical witness of blessing others applies today, as much as it did yesterday, to all of God’s followers.

One of my privileges as CLLI Executive Director is to invite people to join the CLLI in accomplishing its mission: To provide an academic seed-bed for the development of Christian women leaders from a Latina perspective. This invitation may take different facets. During this event, and as a part of a larger campaign to secure resources to continue blessing other women with the CLLI training, I invited all the participants to become CLLI donors.

I spoke about the importance of generosity in the form of blessing the next generation of Latinas and Latinas-at-heart who are ready to start their education at the CLLI, but are prevented due to lack of financial resources. I emphasized that all these blessings that we received during the CLLI training need to move us to action. They need to move us to bless someone else with generous hearts.

Generosity is an important value in the Bible. God rejoices with the hearts and acts of generous people:

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:16 (NIV).

Furthermore, the Bible promises blessings for the generous people:

“A generous person will be enriched, and one who gives water will get water.” Proverbs 11:25 (NRSVUE)

Henri Nouwen in his book The Spirituality of Fundraising describes that when a person in need and a person who can give meet in their need and action to give, they are meeting “on the common ground of God’s love.” As one gives and the other one receives many good things are accomplished. Nouwen affirms: “When those with money and those who need money share a mission, we see a central sign of new life in the Spirit of Christ.”

As we launch a larger campaign later in the year to invite CLLI graduates, students, and the larger community to join the CLLI in its mission and work, I want to invite you to meditate with gratefulness on all the blessings that you have received and the values of gratitude and generosity. Furthermore, I want to invite you to express this gratitude and generosity, blessing a ministry like the CLLI.

The ministry of giving is an important one in the body of Christ. It is an opportunity to participate in the larger work of God in this world. Henri Nouwen highlights: “…In ministering to each other, each from the riches that he or she possesses, we work together for the full coming of God’s Kingdom.” 

At the CLLI, we are doing our part in joining God’s work in the full coming of God’s Kingdom. We invite you to join us and to bless Christian women as they develop their leadership skills with the goal of transforming, in the name of Christ, their lives, families, churches, and communities.

For more information on supporting the CLLI’s mission, please write to clli@cllinet.org or visit: https://www.christianlatinaleadershipinstitute.org/friends-donors