Interview: Ximena Ulloa
Editor's Note: Ximena and I have been good friends since 2018; in fact, it was she who introduced me to BPFNA – Bautistas por la Paz. For years, we have worked hand in hand on multiple activities, striving to spread the message of the Gospel from different spaces of liberation and peace. I am aware of Ximena's hard work for this conference. There were many calls, emails, and venue searches. Ximena's work cannot go unnoticed, which is why, below, you will find an exclusive interview we had. I hope these words not only showcase the great work done by Ximena but also reveal other ways to make peace.
Mena, we have been meeting virtually for years, and suddenly there is an opportunity to meet in person again for our summer conference. Tell us a bit about how you started preparing for this event and what was the first thing that crossed your mind.
The first thing that crossed my mind was, "A Mexican, living in Mexico, working for an organization based in the USA, organizing an in-person event in Puerto Rico?" It sounds quite crazy, but this has been a reality at BPFNA for several years, and we have the experience. Of course, there are always doubts, anxiety, and stress. I went through all of that beforehand, but with the experience of other conferences and the support of many people around me, I felt safe and confident that everything would go well. We just had to let it flow, let the Divinity lead us.
We compiled a list of contacts, including groups and individuals connected to BPFNA, and also received recommendations. I also began contacting friends in Puerto Rico that I've made through BPFNA and other events, and the response, their support, and affection were truly incredible.
Why did you choose Puerto Rico? What about the island caught your attention?
One of the main reasons was because, as you know, Puerto Rico is a member country of BPFNA – Bautistas por la Paz , and we had never held a conference there before! So, it was an excellent opportunity. In fact, we had already been considering Puerto Rico for Summer 2021, but a pandemic got in our way, and we had to reschedule.
Another reason was that the Biennial Mission Summit 2023 of the American Baptist Churches was going to take place, and we thought it might be a good opportunity to be present in Puerto Rico and allow those attending the Biennial to also participate in our Summer Conference.
BPFNA is approaching its 40th anniversary, and a conference had never been held in Puerto Rico before. It was the right moment to do so.
Personally, what stands out the most about the island are its warm and cheerful people, their resilience, resistance, unity, as well as the beautiful natural landscapes (and, of course, the music and food 😁).
How did you choose the theme? Why the focus on mountains?
The theme of mountains emerged because we knew that, in addition to its beaches, Puerto Rico has very important mountainous areas, and we were sure that we would be able to admire them wherever we were.
Mountains are fundamentally present in our faith. In the Bible, God frequently appears on mountain tops. Jesus delivered his most famous sermon from a mountain (in Matthew's version). Jesus also teaches that faith can move mountains. In Latin America, many social movements began in the mountainous regions. It was a symbol we wanted to choose to challenge ourselves to continue our peacebuilding work rooted in justice. "That we move the mountains faith sends out its call. With insistent, fiery love it demands our all…"
We had a broad participation from the membership. Did you expect this response, or were you surprised by how people reacted?
Honestly, I was a bit surprised. I didn't imagine that so many people from outside the island would attend, although many more people than usual were absent compared to previous Summer Conferences. The economic situation hasn't been easy after years of lockdowns due to the pandemic, and as you know, several people needed visas, which took a long time to process. Nevertheless, a good group participated, and I'm very grateful for that, and of course, we miss those who couldn't attend. I was sure, and I asserted, that whether we were 10, 30, or 90, it would be a beautiful encounter, and we would enjoy it immensely.
What were the most challenging aspects of preparation, and how did you overcome them?
I think the most challenging aspect was not being in Puerto Rico in person, even though I knew we would make it work. At the beginning, it was a bit difficult because I wasn't on-site and didn't know everything. I felt a bit blind. In fact, the trip I had planned to get to know the place better and make more contacts and invitations in March 2023 was cancelled because the U.S. government didn't allow me to travel due to the Covid vaccine I received in my country (I was already at the airport and had to return home).
However, thanks to technology and video calls, we managed to make progress. I'm very grateful for the presence of friends and brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico who offered to help. They helped us a lot by visiting places, sharing contacts with suppliers, contacts of people, churches, etc. Everything flowed smoothly, and I could feel that divine breeze of calm accompanying us throughout the process.
What did you enjoy most about preparing for this conference?
Meeting new people in Puerto Rico, making new contacts, and, above all, meeting them in person, as much of our interaction had been through WhatsApp or Zoom. So, putting faces to the messages or audio was lovely. Also, the fact that everything was in Spanish helped a lot. I could contact people without fear of making mistakes in my English. So, everything flowed much more smoothly. And, of course, I enjoyed imagining new ways to organize the conference, activities, themes, symbols – I enjoy all of that.
Can you tell us something about next summer and what expectations we can have?
Next year, BPFNA – Bautistas por la Paz celebrates its 40th anniversary. It will undoubtedly be a very special year, and the summer will be no exception. It will be an excellent time to reaffirm our commitment to peace with justice, our identity, and essence as an organization. It will be a moment to reconnect with members we may not have seen for a while, as well as with new people. It will be a year of great celebration, and you can't afford to miss it!
Finally, leave us with a message as the conference coordinator.
It was very exciting to meet in person again at a Summer Conference. I was genuinely thrilled and moved by this new experience, especially by being with my BPFNA – Bautistas por la Paz family again, hugging, singing, dancing, and laughing together in community, just as I had dreamed. I am always and will always be very grateful to BPFNA – Bautistas por la Paz for giving me the opportunity to work in these spaces. Each year, these experiences make me grow as a person and professionally. I learn a lot, and I always receive more than I can offer. The affection, trust, and support of the entire membership toward me is something I always treasure in my heart. Undoubtedly, during a Summer Conference, there are days of great tiredness and stress, but receiving all this love and support fills me with energy, and I can handle it all; I don't even feel the fatigue.
THANK YOU for trusting me. I am very happy and proud to belong to BPFNA~Bautistas por la Paz.
Ximena Ulloa Montemayor (Mena) has lived in Mexico City since she was very young. She completed her university studies in Archaeology and has also completed a Masters in Liturgy at the Theological Community of Mexico. Ximena loves working with children and youth, as well as in the music and liturgy area of her church (she enjoys practicing various musical instruments). Her parents, Javier, and Rebeca, are the pastors of Shalom Baptist Church in Mexico City, and her mother is the first Baptist woman to be ordained in Mexico. She collaborates with various networks such as Red Crearte (Liturgy Network), RECONPAZ (Continental Network for Peace). Mena is a former member of the board of directors of BPFNA~Bautistas por la Paz. In 2016, she joined the BPFNA staff as program director for the 2017 Summer Conference, which for the first time was held in Mexico. In July 2019, she was one of the coordinators for the 6th Global Baptist Peace Conference held in Cali, Colombia.
