By Belinda Caudle, Editorial Bautista

Unless you speak Spanish, you may never have heard of Editorial Bautista, one of the Missions Literature Ministries of BMA Global. Originally called Casa Bautista Misionera de Publicaciones, the Spanish publications department of the BMAA was begun in the 1960s by Bro. Robert Isaacs and his wife, Ruth. Together they printed the first translations of BMA Sunday School lessons on a mimeograph machine in their garage in Lubbock, Texas.

In those days, Bible-based, doctrinally sound publications in Spanish were few and far between. But from that humble beginning, Bro. Isaacs expanded Spanish publications to include several other workers and an office building and warehouse, which included a printing press that produced literature shipped to congregations in the United States, Mexico, Central and South America, and other Spanish-speaking countries around the globe for many years.

During the years that Mark Holcombe was Director of Spanish Publications, with costs of printing and shipping rising and advances in technology all around the world, the decision was made to place online all literature produced by Spanish publications to be available for download from the BMA Global website at any time by anyone. Spanish Publications’ goal was, and still is, to spread the truths of God´s Word to anyone who has a desire to learn.

From the very beginnings of the ministry, God has always provided a way to continue to produce doctrinally sound, Bible-based materials for children through adults, and He has also provided faithful servants who dedicate their time and efforts to Spanish Publications. Some of those faithful servants who work alongside me have been involved in missions for many years.

• Bro. Ricky Williams, former BMA missionary to Mexico for 37 years, proofs and edits everything published, as well as gives counsel on the direction of the ministry. 
• My husband, Joe, and I served for 21 years as BMA missionaries to Mexico also. 
• Wendy García, native of Guatemala, pastor´s daughter, and wife of Elvis García, Ministry Coordinator of Hispanic People in the U.S. for BMA Global, serves Editorial Bautista in several ways: translating and proofing materials,  representing Editorial Bautista at different meetings, equipping and training children´s teachers, and coordinating with churches and missions for various teacher trainings throughout the year.
• Rebecca Binns, my daughter who grew up in Mexico,, has been our translator and editor for children´s materials for several years. 

Our volunteers are a vital part of the ministry also. 

• Juan Baldor, a native of Cuba, faithfully translates adult Bible study material from the Baptist Publishing House. 
• He is aided by Teresa Gipson who types up his handwritten manuscripts and sends them on to be formatted as lessons. Both Juan and Teresa donate their time and resources.
• And last, but certainly not least, Noemí Hernández, who is a member of our BMA work in Nicaragua and is a professional proofreader, donates her time and energy to proofing everything published by Editorial Bautista. She has been an invaluable asset for many years. 

In recent years, Spanish Publications has also begun offering teacher training to congregations both in the U.S. and other countries. We have been privileged to train teachers to study the Bible using the Inductive Bible Study Method, as well as how to use our literature to teach more effectively in Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, México, and Bolivia.

As a part of Missions Literature Ministry and BMA Global, those of us who work with Editorial Bautista would like to thank the many people who have supported this ministry for so many years. Your offerings to Missions Literature Ministry, whether great or small, have been multiplied by God to supply the needs of this ministry and provide Bible-based, doctrinally sound literature to Spanish-speaking people, some of whom we may only know in heaven.