FRAHMAD Femenil Holds First Event in U.S.

On April 11 - 13, 2024, over 1,200 women and their spouses from 14 countries gathered together at Inspire Church in Houston, Texas, for the FRAHMAD Femenil conference.

FRAHMAD, which stands for Fraternidad Hispana Mundial de las Asambleas de Dios (Hispanic World Fellowship of the Assemblies of God), is the global AG alliance of Spanish speaking countries. In 2014, two existing Hispanic AG Fellowships, CELAD Consejo de Ejecutivos Latinoamericanos de Asambleas de Dios (Executive Council Latin American Assemblies of God) and CADSA Consejo de Asamblea de Dios de Sur America (Council of South America Assemblies of God) merged and FRAHMAD was born.

Within FRAHMAD, which now unites all Spanish speaking countries under one larger organization, are six existing regions - the United States and Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico, Central America, Andine Area, South America, and Europe and the rest of the world.

Every two years, the women of FRAHMAD, which make up FRAHMAD Femenil, celebrate a conference together throughout the six different regions, but the 2024 event was the first to be held in the United States. Marciela H. Hernández, west Spanish language area executive presbyter and secretary/treasurer for the the Texas Gulf Hispanic District, has served as the FRAHMAD Femenil U.S. and Canada representative and treasurer since 2015. She was succeeded by Rev. Antonina Arroyo, women's director of the Southern Pacific District, in the role of FRAHMAD Femenil representative. Hernández will continue to serve as the FRAHMAD Femenil treasurer. This year’s theme was “Mujer de Pies Firmes” which roughly translates to mean “Women Who Stand Firm,” a theme General Superintendent Doug Clay said he “loved”.

“The value of women in ministry and leadership extends beyond gender representation,” he says. “It encompasses their unique God-given gifts, perspectives, and leadership qualities that enhance the church.”

During the event’s first general service, each country and its delegation was recognized, the largest group, totaling over 100, being from the Dominican Republic. Other countries represented were the United States, Ecuador, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, and Uruguay.

Throughout the three days, attendees heard from AG leaders including newly appointed U.S. Missions Executive Director Wilfredo De Jesús, Christian Education and Discipleship Director Elly Marroquin, and FRAHMAD’s president, Ricardo Castillo.

Melissa Alfaro, co-pastor of El Tabernaculo and the female representative to the executive presbytery for the U.S. Assemblies of God, who also spoke at the conference, said that each message delivered affirmed God’s word in the hearts of those listening and gave encouragement to the broken and tired spirits that had come.

Silvia Carrizo, FRAHMAD Femenil’s secretary and FRAHMAD’s treasurer, remarks that the event was a success and a blessed time of fellowship for all who attended.

“It was a powerful conference,” she says. “The presence of the Holy Spirit was indescribable. It was an ‘upper room!’ Ladies were baptized by the Holy Spirit. Free from chains. It was a glorious congress.”

Marroquin, who spoke on the topic of discipleship, states that the women who came were hungry for a move of God.

“There were powerful altar times. People were flooding the altar and the aisles seeking the Lord,” she states.

Powerful and vibrant testimonies of people being touched by the Holy Spirit, miraculous healings, and women receiving confirmation from God for different areas of their lives were abundant, according to Marroquin.

One such testimony was shared with Alfaro the Sunday after the event by a 16-year-old girl who had attended the conference.

“The atmosphere was indescribable,” she shares, “and the only thing you sensed was a spirit of unity.”

For this young lady, along with several others who shared testimonies, the realization that there is a global family of women who are committed to their sisters in Christ helps broaden the narrow focus of one’s own troubles.

“The messages were so powerful [and] challenged our ladies to go and make disciples, prepare the new generation to run with the gospel, and be hungry for revival,” Carrizo states.

In addressing the conference, Clay challenged women, “for the sake of the gospel advancement and healthy churches, stand firm and lead on!”

The next congress, to be held in 2026, will convene in Argentina.

LOWER PHOTO: Antonina Arroyo (left) and Marciela Hernández

Ashley B. Grant

Ashley B. Grant has a master's degree in Human Services Marriage and Family Counseling from Liberty University and is a credentialed Christian counselor through the American Association of Christian Counselors. Grant also holds certifications in crisis pregnancy counseling and advanced life coaching. Ashley is a fourth generation Assemblies of God preacher’s kid and has one daughter and three sons.