American Churches Starting a American Churches Starting a Hispanic MinistryHispanic Ministry

What to Expect

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¡Muchas Gracias!

Why should we do it?Jesus said: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19).

The U.S. is blessed…. All the nations are coming to us!

Few FactsBy 2006, there were 44.3 million Hispanics in the U.S.

It is estimated that, by 2010, there were about 50 million Hispanics in the U.S.

This is about 16.3% of the U.S. population.A growth of over 1 million/year.

U.S. Census Bureau

Putting things into perspective:

Peru: 29 million people

Ecuador: 14 million people

Paraguay: 7 million people

What to Expect:Cultural differencesReligious backgroundRelationship statusImmigration status

Cultural DifferencesEducational levelFinancial levelCommunication problemsTime and organization problems

Religious Background Argentina: 94% Bolivia: 82% Chile: 70% Colombia: 90% Costa Rica: 76% Cuba: 85% Dominican Republic: 95% Ecuador: 95% El Salvador: 79% Honduras: 97% Mexico: 77% Panama: 85% Paraguay: 90% Peru: 81% Puerto Rico: 85% Venezuela: 96%

CatolicismCatolicism

86%86%

Religious BackgroundMain Catholic Beliefs:

Catholic tradition is equal or superior to the Bible.

The Pope is Peter’s successor and head of the church on Earth.

Mary was a virgin for all her life, holds the title of “Mother of God,” and intercedes for all Christians.

Images of “saints” and holy things should be venerated.

Everybody is born bearing the sin of Adam and Eve.

Baptism may be applied by immersion, pouring, or sprinkling of water. Babies and little children need to be baptized to be saved.

Relationship StatusMarital status

Family status

Immigration StatusDifferent status:

Permanent resident Temporary resident Worker visa Tourist visa Unauthorized alien

Recommendations on Hiring Hispanic Ministers1. Look for information about the Hispanic

population in your area.a. The average immigration statusb. Areas of highest concentration of Hispanics

2. Carefully research candidates for Hispanic ministers.a. Personal background (e.g., family background,

doctrinal background)b. Immigration documentation and status (e.g.,

type of visa, work authorization, expiration date of his visa, possibility of renewing his visa)

Recommendations on Hiring Hispanic Ministers3. Prepare a questionnaire for the minister

candidate. The following questions could be included:a. What is your perspective about illegal immigration?b. Do you believe it is right for a Christian to stay in a

country illegally?c. Are you willing to teach publicly about a Christian’s

responsibility to the government, especially in relation to illegal immigration?

d. What would be your principal objective in our Hispanic ministry?

Recommendations on Hiring Hispanic Ministers4. Provide book to the minister candidate. (Apologetics

Press.)5. Gather all the pertinent and necessary

documentation for the candidate’s employment.a. Require copies of his worker visa, residence visa or

naturalization certification, etc.b. Complete and file the form of eligibility for employment (I-9).

6. Conduct a follow-up into the minister’s immigration status after he begins working with the ministry.a. Require updated, valid documentation (e.g., renewed visa,

change of immigration status or documentation of application in process).

b. File additional copies of immigration documentation.

A Successful Hispanic Ministry……is where controversial topics are not put aside in

order to avoid opposition, but where those topics are dealt with in love, in spite of the opposition.

…is not where Christians hope for a period of amnesty from legal prosecution, but rather where Christians experience a time of spiritual regeneration.

…is where greater emphasis is given to one’s heavenly citizenship than to one’s earthly citizenship.

…spreads its influence, not only within the United States, but also beyond its borders.

A Successful Hispanic Ministry……may generate economic losses, but its

spiritual profits will be immeasurable.…is not where Christians demand “rights”

which are not legally theirs, but where they strive to fulfill their obligations and responsibilities to God, to their fellow man, and to government.

…is where mature Christians are willing to accept earthly separation in order to guarantee an eternal reunion.