Roberto Escamilla

Dr. Roberto Escamilla (born 1931) is a towering figure in Hispanic United Methodist hymnody, liturgical scholarship, and global evangelism. Bridging the cultural and linguistic landscapes of Mexico and the United States, his long ministry has fundamentally enriched corporate worship across the Americas. By translating contemporary works and writing deeply resonant stanzas for traditional melodies, Escamilla has served as a vital cultural architect, ensuring that Hispanic worship traditions find an authentic, prominent voice in mainline Protestant hymnals.

A Cross-Border Foundations in Faith

Born in Monterrey, Mexico, in 1931, Escamilla grew up close to the Texas border. He pursued an extensive, elite theological education across several universities, earning degrees from Trinity University, Southern Methodist University (Perkins School of Theology), Union Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Vanderbilt University.

As an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church, Escamilla navigated the historical complexities of the Rio Grande Conference and the Southwest Texas Conference. He served as a pastor to congregations in major Texas cities like Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin, effortlessly floating between English- and Spanish-speaking communities to offer an inclusive, evangelical witness.

Denominational Leadership and Global Witness

Escamilla’s sharp administrative and theological skills quickly propelled him into national leadership. He served as the Associate General Secretary of the Division of Evangelism, Worship, Stewardship, and the Upper Room for the United Methodist Board of Discipleship. In this capacity, he also served as the Editor of The Upper Room (El Aposento Alto), the widely read global devotional guide.

His academic career was equally distinguished. He was appointed the very first E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio, and he later returned to his alma mater, Perkins School of Theology, to teach generations of future pastors the nuances of worship, the sacraments, and preaching.

The Story Behind "When We Are Living" (Pues si vivimos)

Escamilla’s most enduring contribution to global hymnody is his work on the beloved hymn "Pues si vivimos para Él vivimos" ("When We Are Living"), which appears in dozens of modern hymnals worldwide.

The song’s first stanza is a traditional, anonymous Mexican folk hymn based on Romans 14:8 ("If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord..."). Escamilla had learned this single verse by heart as a young boy in Mexico.

Decades later, in his early fifties, Escamilla went through a period of intense personal trial and professional uncertainty. Reaching back into his childhood memories, he sat down and composed stanzas 2 through 4 to complete the text. To the original theme of total surrender to God, Escamilla beautifully added the tangible realities of day-to-day Christian journeying—showing how we encounter Christ in giving, receiving, sorrowing, and serving:

"When we are sharing in our joy and sorrow,

when we are longing for the dawn of tomorrow,

in the midst of struggle and of jealousy,

we belong to God, we belong to God."

The hymn's powerful refrain "Somos del Señor" / "We belong to God"—was famously translated into English by Scottish hymnwriter John L. Bell and Elise S. Eslinger, cementing it as an international anthem of resilience and solidarity.

An Author and Translator of Note

Beyond his signature hymn, Escamilla’s translation work has allowed English-language churches to absorb the vibrant joy of Hispanic spirituals, while translating contemporary English praise classics for Spanish congregations.

He edited a landmark collection of Hispanic hymns for the United Methodist Church, dismantling regional walls to create a shared, cross-cultural table for worship. His published prose works, such as Prisoners of Hope: Essays on Life's Journey (1982), continue to encourage believers navigating their own seasons of deep transition.