Alexia Chavez – Ward, Colorado … Around 185 women from across the Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) gathered at Glacier View Ranch in Ward, Colorado, for the annual RMC Hispanic Women’s Retreat, October 24–26. The theme for the weekend was “Get Closer to Him,” and keynote speakers Cesia Alvarado and Cindy Baez led participants through inspiring messages centered on deepening their relationship with God.

Ruby Guillen, the unofficial RMC Hispanic Women’s Ministries volunteer director and lead of the event, shared her personal connections with the weekend’s speakers. She first met Alvarado while attending college in Montemorelos, Mexico, and their paths crossed again later in life as pastors’ wives. Ruby met Baez through her sister-in-law, and the two became instant friends.

Throughout the weekend, the sermons reminded attendees to stay close to God despite rejection, criticism, or the opinions of others. These challenges can often distance people from their faith and lead to feelings of worthlessness; however, the speakers emphasized the importance of remaining grounded in God’s love and continually seeking His guidance.

Cecilia Chavez, a young adult from the Montrose Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist, reflected on her experience:

“This weekend reminded me how much I need the Lord in every part of my life. I came home with a desire to draw closer to Him and make changes that keep His presence near. I learned that He calls me by name and loves me deeply, no matter what I’m going through.”

Meanwhile, the teen-aged participants held their own meetings with Baez, focusing on discovering their identity and purpose in God. Grace Guillen, a youth from the Denver South Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church, shared her biggest takeaway:

“My biggest takeaway is that it doesn’t matter what the world labels you. The only thing that matters is what God says about who you are. And even though we might feel like we are not enough for the world, we are enough for God. If we allow Him to work in and through us, we can do amazing things.”

To conclude the weekend, the women gathered for a tea party–themed celebration, featuring a lively fashion show where participants showcased their beautiful outfits and enjoyed warm fellowship.

Reflecting on the weekend, Ruby Guillen emphasized the importance of such gatherings, remarking, “The importance of having women’s retreats is to address the specific spiritual challenges that women face, spend time together in fellowship, disconnect from everyday life, and most importantly, draw closer to God.”

—Alexia Chavez is treasurer for the Montrose Hispanic Seventh-day Church. Photos supplied.