Philadelphia, PA.— On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, a ceremony honoring pastors who have made a lasting impact on their churches, their communities, and the lives of those they serve was held in the Grand Hall of Esperanza Arts Center.

The event, organized by the Hispanic Clergy Ministerial Association of Philadelphia and Vicinity, brought together 35 pastors, along with their spouses, family members, and congregants. A total of 120 people attended.

During the event, Esperanza’s Faith and Capacity department presented awards to pastors in recognition of their years of service in Philadelphia. The four recipients of the Legacy Award were Pastors Efraín Cotto, of El Mesías; Miguel A. Díaz, of La Luz Verdadera; Víctor M. Rivera, of Arca de Salvación; and Juan Vázquez, of Rosa de Sarón. All four have dedicated more than 50 years to serving their churches and the community.

Special awards were also presented in recognition of commitment to service and efforts to build bridges within the Hispanic community. Dr. Anita Medina received the Bridge Builder award; the Rev. Dr. Herman Morales received the Legacy of Influence award; and Pastor Harrison Capellán was named Pastor of the Year.

During the ceremony, attendees observed a few moments of silence in memory of 11 pastors who have passed away and left a lasting mark on the Hispanic community. Their names will be displayed in Esperanza’s Founders’ Hall: Rev. David Dodd, Rev. Raúl Le Duc, Rev. Fred Estrada Sr., Rev. Serafín Fiore, Rev. Bill Gage, Butch Naters Gamala, Rev. Abraham Oliver, Rev. José Miguel Roque, Rev. Felipe G. Sabatel, Rev. Víctor Ulloa, and Father Rev. Gil Vega.

During the gathering, pastors shared anecdotes, exchanged experiences, and had the opportunity to get to know one another. The event also brought together former teachers and students. Attendees shared meaningful testimonies that offered support and comfort to a new generation of religious leaders. They highlighted the effort, love, and perseverance with which the honorees have carried out their work, even when doing so meant setting aside some of their own dreams.

The Rev. Rubén Ortiz, vice president of Faith and Capacity at Esperanza, said, “Honoring those who have dedicated their lives to serving God’s people and our community is important. We took a moment to encourage and invest in these pastors, just as they have done for so many others, so that we do not forget their example.”

At the end of the ceremony, each pastor received a portable communion set and a small bottle of anointing oil. The gathering concluded with conversations among attendees and words of encouragement emphasizing the importance of recognizing and preserving the legacy of the honored pastors.