The route taken by a Hispanic couple to an English-speaking church is not much different from the route taken by an English-speaking couple.

Domingo and Dora Baln, for example, say, We visited after someone left a packet of information about the church on our doorknob.

Luis and Marianna Bastida report, We came to church for a class and later visited for Sunday School and worship.

Jess and Juana Garcia came to the church at the invitation of friends.

Do the routes sound familiar?

Yet none of these visits would have occurred if church members had not been working and praying to make their church a place for Hispanics to feel welcome.

The road to the church
The Baln family came when specific information in the packet they found at their door convinced them they would be welcomed because of their heritage. They read that a dinner prior to a revival service would be held for the Hispanic Sunday school class, and the service would be translated into Spanish.

The Bastidas came to an English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) class held at the church. When they arrived they saw a sign announcing a Hispanic Bible study class and translation of the worship services into Spanish, demonstrating this church was where they could feel comfortable.

The Garcias came as guests of the first Hispanic family to join the church and truly call it their home. The Garcias recognized that the church could offer them a spiritual home as well.

The church paves the way
The packet of information, ESL class and sign were all the work of the Missions Development Committee of Sunset Avenue Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. In the 1980s the church found itself in a community with a growing Hispanic population, especially migrant workers. With zero Hispanic churches in the community and only one Baptist work in either surrounding county, the church sensed Gods encouragement to find a way to minister to that special group of people.

Connie Armstrong (center) reads along with her ESL students at Sunset Avenue Baptist Church.

Connie Armstrong tried using her college degree in Spanish to reach out to the communitys new neighbors. She looked for opportunities to invite them to church, but with little success.

Finally a church member approached Connie and said, Ive been fixing leaky faucets in some of the homes out at Kingswood. Many of the people speak Spanish and little to no English. Maybe you could come out there and teach Sunday school. The church and association already had a trailer home in which to conduct Sunday school, Vacation Bible School and various other ministries in Kingswood, a trailer home park, but all of the ministries were in English.

Connie was scared to death at the thought of teaching a class of Hispanics. I could write and read Spanish, but my conversational Spanish was not the greatest, she recalls. She prayed about it and decided that if the Spanish-speaking residents would be patient with her, she would do her best. And so Sunset Avenues Hispanic ministry began.

Over the years, the ministry to Hispanics changed to meet new needs. Instead of reaching a primarily migrant population, more and more Hispanics began to call Rocky Mount their permanent home. Eventually, the church started a Sunday school class for Hispanics as well as an ESL program. Connie now coordinates the churchs ESL classes. Two nights a week, a teacher from the local community college teaches English to the students. The church supports the efforts by providing childcare, conversational English tutors and occasional refreshments.

As the Hispanic ministry developed, the Missions Development Council realized that the ministries were too isolated from the rest of the church body, so they obtained headsets through which Connie could translate the worship service.

Although Sunset Avenue eventually would like to start a congregation for the Hispanic community, this outreach utilizing translation has proven to be an effective way to share Christ in the meantime.

Roadblocks
Numerous cities report a growing Hispanic population. One can only look around and see the increased number of Hispanic restaurants to recognize the potential for ministry. The need is great, but there are obstacles of language and lack of trust to overcome.

On mission Christians need to be on the lookout for any roadblocks that may discourage Hispanics from coming to their church.

Roadblock #1
Leaving cultural sensitivity out of the planning for Hispanics
The cultural norms of the Hispanic community need to be taken into consideration when planning events. For example, one committee planned a dinner for the Hispanic Sunday school class and was disappointed when only two men came. They found out later that they had held the meal too early in the evening compared to their cultures usual dinner hour.

Roadblock #2
Negative assumptions about faith heritage
Faith differences need to be handled delicately and with respect.

Its possible to recognize the common elements in the faith, such as Jesus being the Son of God, born of a virgin, dying for our sins and being resurrected by God, says Connie, who now serves as an advocate for the Hispanic community in Rocky Mount. We can then build on those elements with scripture.

Roadblock #3
Lack of widespread church involvement in the Hispanic ministry
A strong group of lay believers must work together to further the Hispanic ministry of the church. One person trying to do it alone, no matter how strong his or her vision, increases the chance that the ministry will remain small and isolated. The lay people can be an On Mission Team, Missions Development Committee, Women on Mission or some other missions-minded group. Whatever the group, its the support that matters greatly!

Roadblock #4
Rushing the process of building relationships
It takes both time and trust to develop a Hispanic ministry. Trust cannot be rushed, and patience must be exercised. New immigrants to the city may wonder, why do they want to help me?

A genuine love and concern must be demonstrated before Hispanics will communicate to others, They are our friends.

Bridges to the Hispanic community
Establish a church presence in the Hispanic community by meeting a need common to immigrants. Need-based ministries could include:

• ESL classes

• Tutoring children

• Assistance with immigration issues

• Help with income tax forms

• Training for employment

• Clothes closet

• Food pantry

Once relationships are developed, a Bible study can be started. The local Baptist association staff or state convention staff can provide operation manuals on how to develop the Bible study class into a Hispanic church plant.

As in any ministry, there are bumps along the road in beginning a Hispanic outreach. Consider the bumps as moderating speed bumps and remember that the ride is much more comfortable when you anticipate the bumps and navigate them slowly.

Sherra Still is a writer living in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.