Hundreds Gather for Hispanic Women’s Retreat

Story by Debra C. Anderson

In early November, more than 850 women from more than 70 churches gathered at the Ashore Resort in Ocean City, Md., for the Potomac Conference Hispanic Women’s Retreat, hosted by the Hispanic Ministries Department. Themed “Real Women, Authentic Women,” the weekend invited participants to embrace self-worth, emotional wellness and the beauty of walking authentically with God.

Laura Rosenzweig Soto, director of Hispanic Women’s Ministries, organized the gathering and shared that the theme was born out of heartfelt conversations and surveys among ministerial spouses and church members. “Many women expressed struggles with mental health, selfesteem and vulnerability,” she explains. “In Spanish, the word ‘real’ means both ‘authentic’ and ‘royal,’ reminding us that as daughters of God, we belong to a royal lineage.”

Guest speakers Esther Tavarez, Xenia Burgos and Edith Aravena brought the theme to life through messages that encouraged transparency, healing and renewed faith.

Since its beginning, the annual retreat has grown tremendously in size and purpose, evolving into a deeply spiritual and intergenerational experience that nurtures both emotional and spiritual growth.

Soto reflected on the retreat’s lasting message: “I hope the women will embrace themselves, forgive themselves and keep their eyes on Jesus, letting go of past pain, living fully in the present and walking in freedom and joy with Him.”