Calvin Theological Seminary
“Faith at the Table: Equipping Hispanic Women Leaders to Engage Food Science and Technology for Congregational Health” is a two-year initiative that equips Hispanic female church leaders to bridge scientific nutrition knowledge with theological principles of health, promoting congregational flourishing through well-being, cultural preservation, and embodied theological reflection.
Hispanic women, as traditional stewards of family and community nutrition, are well positioned to influence eating habits; yet many face disproportionate risks for obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related illnesses. Ultra-processed foods (UPFs), common in North American diets, worsen these disparities. At the same time, connections between food science and biblical stewardship are often overlooked, leaving health and faith disconnected.
This project will address these challenges through scientific education, theological reflection, and practical congregational engagement. Participants will attend a Spanish-language in-person workshop led by nutrition scientists and theologians covering:
- food processing and nutrient retention,
- health impacts of UPF-heavy diets, and
- culturally rooted, healthy cooking strategies. Reflection circles connect biblical narratives, such as Jesus’ meals in Luke, to health stewardship.
Each participant will design and implement a congregational project to model healthier habits.
For sustainability, future participants will be able to join a free, cohort-based online certificate program with the CTS partner Instituto de Líderes Cristianos (CLI). This will include online versions of the workshop content, biannual virtual Saturday sessions for mentoring, follow-up, and peer support.
