This week, I had the privilege of delving into the vibrant world of campus leadership as I engaged in enlightening discussions with one of the driving forces behind Genesis Fellowship, Yulian Tinoco. Through our conversation, I discovered the profound impact they have on our community.
Genesis Fellowship, a church focusing on Latino worship, distinguishes itself by offering trilingual services in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Conversations with leaders revealed that Genesis originated from a small group of students who envisioned establishing an inviting space where students from diverse backgrounds could gather and worship together. Makarios, a traveling ministry group, helped create the Latin church on campus to continue establishing Andrews’ diverse spiritual life while they continued their travels. Genesis' commitment to celebrating diversity and nurturing faith makes them an integral part of campus life.
Next time you're looking for a church, consider stopping by UT for some delectable churros before the service and an enriching program that allows you to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Latin America.
Please introduce yourself to us!
My name is Yulian A. Tinoco, and I am a recent Andrews Alumni, Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Can you take us back to the beginnings of Genesis and share the story of how the organization was first formed?
Genesis was formed in response to a need identified by students in the Latino community at Andrews. The Makarios Ministry, a club on campus, played a pivotal role in laying the groundwork for its creation by organizing programs during the Covid-19 pandemic and in the post-Covid year. In the aftermath of the pandemic, leaders from Makarios convened to brainstorm ideas on how to sustain Genesis continuously.
What inspired the founders to create Genesis, and what was their vision for it on campus?
The vision for Genesis is to create a space that nurtures a sense of community and cariño (affection) for all students, ensuring that as soon as they enter the doors, they feel like they have found a home away from home. This includes incorporating elements of nostalgia from our churches back home. Additionally, we hope to facilitate the initiation or rekindling of a relationship with Christ.
Were there any challenges or obstacles faced during the inception of Genesis, and how were they overcome?
The challenge we faced was finding the right name for the space. I recall numerous discussions within the group, which made it challenging to ensure that our message was effectively conveyed to individuals. We wondered how we could encapsulate our vision within our chosen name. After several conversations, "Genesis" emerged as the most fitting name. It was intentionally selected to convey the message that the initiation or renewal of a relationship with Christ can happen here as well.
Genesis is known for its multilingual worship. How did the idea of worshiping in English, Portuguese, and Spanish come about, and how has it evolved over time?
As Latino students, we aimed to ensure that all facets of the Latino community were integrated into our services. What makes the Latino community beautiful is that it extends beyond just the Spanish language!
As someone who witnessed the early days of Genesis, how do you feel about the growth and impact the organization has achieved since its inception?
I am immensely proud to be a part of this incredible team of leaders. I eagerly anticipate the ongoing growth of this fellowship in its mission to bring students to Christ through laughter, fun, reflection, prayer, cariño, and, most importantly, the study of the Bible.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.