By Aaron Weaver
The new EFLAN brings together leaders from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and several regions of the United States to support spiritual discernment, ministerial care and the strategic vision of CBF’s Latino network.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Members and friends of fAMILIA gathered Friday morning at the 2026 CBF General Assembly in Jacksonville for a breakfast marked by fellowship, celebration and the vibrant spirit of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s Latino network. During the gathering, fAMILIA introduced and commissioned the third Advisory Board in the network’s nine-year history. 
fAMILIA, the Latino Network of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, introduced the new members of its Advisory Board, known as EFLAN, during the 2026 CBF General Assembly.
The name fAMILIA reflects the identity and central areas of ministry of the network through the acronym Fellowship, Advocacy, Missions and Ministries, Identity, Leadership, Inter-generational and Alliances.
The new board includes six leaders whose experience spans pastoral ministry, theological education, mental health, community engagement, family care and ministry with children and youth.
This is the third Advisory Board to serve in the short history of nine years of the Latino Network of CBF fAMILIA. The first EFLAN began its work in 2018 under the leadership of the Rev. Daniel Martinó, now retired. Laura Ayala, who currently serves as CBF’s Coordinator of Global Missions, later served as moderator.
EFLAN serves as fAMILIA’s Advisory Board for spiritual discernment and strategic guidance. Its members accompany the Latino Field Coordinator and related CBF staff through prayer, listening, reflection, counsel and recommendations. The board supports areas such as the holistic care of ministry leaders, leadership development, communication, collaborative networks, international and ecumenical engagement, and the development of new initiatives and partnerships.
Members are appointed for an initial three-year term and may serve one additional two-year term. A staggered rotation helps preserve continuity while regularly welcoming new voices and perspectives.
Margie Rivera will serve as moderator of the new Advisory Board. In this role, she will convene meetings, work closely with the Latino Field Coordinator, assist in preparing agendas, and help the board follow through on its recommendations and shared work.
The new EFLAN members represent a variety of Latino and Baptist contexts.
Rev. Betzaida Rodríguez García
The Rev. Betzaida Rodríguez García serves as senior pastor of Iglesia Bautista Berea in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico. Her ministry experience includes more than 19 years of service at Iglesia Bautista de Luquillo Mar, where she served in Christian education, the diaconate, children’s min
istry and associate pastoral leadership.
Rodríguez earned a Master of Divinity from the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico. She brings to EFLAN extensive pastoral experience, a strong commitment to congregational formation and a special concern for children and older adults.
Bethzaida Pérez Villegas
Bethzaida Pérez Villegas lives in New London, Connecticut. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who provides mental health services to Spanish speaking individuals and families.
She also leads the Women’s Ministry at Church of the City, where she encourages and disciples women in their spiritual growth. Her contribution to EFLAN will draw from her experience in family care, emotional health, discipleship and compassionate ministry among Hispanic communities.
Rev. Carlos Antonio Navarro
The Rev. Carlos Antonio Navarro was born in Guatemala and has served as a pastor, missionary and theological educator in the United States and Latin America.
Since 1993, he has served as pastor of West Brownsville Baptist Church in Texas. He also founded the Brownsville Baptist Bible Seminary and has helped establish congregations throughout Brownsville and the southern region of the Rio Grande Valley.
His community ministries include Golán Ministry, which serves migrants, and Sarepta Ministry, which supports people experiencing homelessness. Navarro brings to EFLAN decades of pastoral, missionary, border and community ministry experience.
Rev. Fortino Ocampo
The Rev. Fortino Ocampo is originally from the state of Guerrero, Mexico, and serves as pastor of Centro Familiar Cristiano in Siler City, North Carolina.
His ministry has focused on close pastoral care within the Latino community, sharing the gospel and nurturing the spiritual life of the local church. Ocampo joins EFLAN with a desire to contribute his gifts and experience to the shared mission of fAMILIA.
Rev. Hilda G. Acosta Rivera
The Rev. Hilda G. Acosta Rivera serves as pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista de Corral Viejo in Ponce, Puerto Rico. She also works as a mental health counselor.
Her ministry brings together pastoral leadership, emotional care and holistic support for individuals and communities. Acosta will contribute to EFLAN’s work in the areas of clergy mental health, burnout prevention, resilience and the relationship between spiritual care and emotional well being.
Mariela Santos
Mariela Santos serves at Iglesia Bautista Emaús in the Dominican Republic and coordinates youth ministry for the Baptist Churches of the Dominican Republic, known as IBAREDO.
Her ministry includes work with children and youth, support for mission groups and the coordination of camps, conferences and other formation events. Mariela brings to EFLAN her experience with younger generations, her organizational gifts and her commitment to greater youth participation in the life of the church.
During the presentation, leaders emphasized that the new Advisory Board will listen closely to the emerging needs of Latino churches, ministry leaders and communities connected to CBF. Its members will serve with humility, mutual accountability, transparency and openness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
EFLAN will also help identify new initiatives and may recommend creating specialized teams for specific projects. Its work will strengthen fellowship, pastoral care, shared wisdom, and the participation of different generations and regions within fAMILIA.
The new members were officially introduced and commissioned during the Annual fAMILIA Breakfast at the 2026 CBF General Assembly.
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Led by the love of Christ, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship invites churches and individuals to partner in transforming God’s world, working together as a global community to spread good news, justice and hope through impactful ministries, missions and resources.