About the Book
Thirty-five years after it was first published, Mañana, written by Justo L. González, continues to be an extremely influential work on Hispanic theology. First published in 1990, the book invites the church as a whole to reflect on Christian doctrine through the lived experiences of Hispanic communities.
González brought together classical Christian teachings on creation, the Trinity, and Christology with the realities of migration, cultural identity, and communal faith.
"Theology is never written in a vacuum; it grows from the life and struggles of the community of faith."
About the Event
In celebration of the thirty-fifth anniversary of Mañana, the Justo and Catherine González Resource Center and AETH, in conjunction with La Mesa Academy for Theological Education and Candler School of Theology, hosted a conference in February 2026. The two-day event featured a dinner and a panel discussion one day and a keynote address and responses the next.
The conference brought together theologians, scholars, pastors, students, and community leaders to reflect on the legacy of Mañana and its relevance for the future of Hispanic theology. Attendees engaged with rich discussions about the intersections of faith, culture, and social justice, inspired by González’s vision of a theology that is deeply rooted in the lived experiences of the Hispanic community.
Conference Papers
Antonio Alonso
Open PDFDr. Antonio Alonso holds a Bachelor of Music in choral conducting from Northwestern University, a Master of Arts in theology from Loyola Marymount University, and a PhD in religion from Emory University. He is currently Aquinas Associate Professor of Theology and Culture at Candler School of Theology at Emory University where he also serves as the inaugural Director of Catholic Studies.
Jeffrey Bamaca
Open PDFJeffrey Bamaca is a Ph.D student in Religion at Claremont Graduate University, specializing in early Christianity, New Testament, and enslavement. In addition, Jeffrey serves as the Director of Discipleship at Restoration Los Angeles (RLA) as well as Director of RLA`s Bible Institute Program.
Jessica Lugo
Open PDFRev. Dr. Jessica Lugo Meléndez is the Executive Director of AETH. She is also an educator, pastor, administrator, and strategist with more than twenty-five years of ministerial and corporate experience.
Jodi L. Porter
Open PDFDr. Jodi L. Porter has a passion for nurturing diverse voices for church leadership. This year Jodi is a Barbara Wheeler Fellow with Auburn Seminary in NYC. Jodi also holds an M.Th. in Applied (Practical) Theology from Regent’s Park College, University of Oxford; and a B.A. in Oxbridge Honors Religious Studies from William Jewell College. She has served at Acadia Divinity College, the Forum for Theological Exploration, Baylor University, Duke University Divinity School, and Harvard Medical School.
Michelle Navarrete
Open PDFMichelle Elizabeth Navarrete is the daughter of Mexican immigrants, born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. She is a current doctoral student at Emory University studying the Book of Psalms, decolonial/postcolonial translation studies, and U.S. Latine theologies. Part of her convictions as a scholar and musician is to bridge the church and the academy more fully.
Robert Chao Romero
Open PDFRev. Dr. Robert Chao Romero is a historian and professor of Chicana/o Studies and Asian American Studies at UCLA. He is also an immigration attorney and ordained minister and works to engage students and the Church in issues of race, social justice, and Christianity.