A Resource Library for Spanish-Speaking Ministry Leaders

A resource library developed by a Resonate Global Mission missionary is now available for Spanish-speaking pastors and ministry leaders in the Christian Reformed Church in North America.

For 20 years Resonate missionary David Gifford, who serves in Mexico, has been producing resources in Spanish for pastors and other ministry leaders to help meet a pressing need he saw in his ministry work. Providing better access to helpful resources to the seminary students, pastors, and other ministry leaders Gifford works with has been a longtime focus and passion for him, he said.

“Many good Christian insights on the Bible, Christian thought, Christian living, and ministry are only in English, often hidden in long dense texts. Even when they have been translated, many pastors and seminarians here can’t afford [those texts],” said Gifford.

So one of the ways in which Gifford has helped to meet this need is through producing and providing content through searchable indexes online. Now he wants to share those resources with Spanish-speaking leaders in the CRCNA. The libraries can be found at giffmex.org/b/ and giffmex.org/b/giffmex.2025.html.

Most of the resources are focused on the New Testament, said Gifford, but he has created resources on the Old Testament, Bible interpretation, theology and philosophy, Christian living, and various ministry topics as well. He said he will also continue to translate and add resources regularly.

While originally produced for ministry leaders in Mexico, the resources will be applicable to Spanish-speakers working in Canada, the United States, and other countries as well, he added.

“The Bible is the same everywhere. And while the details may vary, we are all ministering and interpreting and loving and working in similar ways,” he said. “I think most Spanish-speaking Christians would be able to get something valuable from most of the resources I have put out.”

These resources have helped seminary students in their studies, pastors in their preparation for sermons and Bible studies, and other ministry leaders in their personal devotions and other ministry work.

Yiedani Pérez Mercado, a member of the Door of Salvation Church in Mexico City, has used several of Gifford’s resources for her work with youth in her church, she said.

“The materials you have prepared and shared have been greatly useful in my ministry,” she added, noting that studies such as “Productivity and Time Management” and “The Parable of the Prodigal Son” have provided her with insightful perspectives. 

Pastor Reysel, a Cuban pastor ministering in Cancun, Mexico, said he has used some of the resources with his seminary students and at his church.

Resonate ministry leaders anticipate that these resource libraries will be helpful for Spanish-speaking ministry leaders serving throughout the CRCNA. 

Joyce Suh, Resonate’s director of global mission, said, “Resonate missionaries are embedded in the local places where we serve. They hold cultural expertise that helps us shape resources that we believe can serve beyond their immediate contexts. As the CRC becomes increasingly diverse, we are committed to sharing our expertise and resources to better serve the church in North America. The Giffmex resources are something that we believe can serve Spanish-speaking leaders wherever they are.”.

The resources are available online at giffmex.org/b/ and giffmex.org/b/giffmex.2025.html.