Numero Uno

Sharing the gospel with Hispanic Americans By Bob Sena You don’t have to know “dos,” “tres,” “cuatro,” to know Hispanics are “uno.” In American society, Hispanic-Americans are a charter-member minority. Their ancestors settled in the Southwest United States long before the pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. They have continued to come from Central and South America, across the Rio Grande from Mexico, and over the Caribbean from Puerto Rico. Millions of legal and illegal immigrants have come seeking to escape the desperation of their homelands for a new beginning in the “land of promise.”  Over the decades, by their numbers and by their diligence and pride, they have influenced the social, cultural and economic development of the nation. Yet, until recently, despite their pervasiveness and their growth, Hispanics were as invisible as the earth—ever-present, but never seen domestic workers in Southern California; clerks and laborers in Florida; migrant bands, showing the calloused hands of farm labor. They still are, but now they also are doctors, lawyers and politicians. They flood every city, seeking jobs, better lives and permanence. And in the process, they are building a bilingual, bicultural society.   The decade of the 1990s was one of growth for Hispanic Southern Baptists. The Convention’s largest minority, they continue to grow in number and influence.  “If we respond with openness,” says one SBC leader, “the result will be uncontainable. We are going to affect a lot of the Spanish-speaking world for Jesus Christ.”  Hispanics in America: In Brief Although Spanish language and culture provide a common denominator, Hispanic-Americans have a diversified geographic background, ranging from nearby Mexico and the Caribbean, to Peru.   Already the United States has more than 45 million Hispanic residents, 15 percent of the population.  Most numerous are Mexican-Americans, almost 25.3 million. Half of all Puerto Ricans (7 million), U.S. citizens by birth, live in the continental United States. Cubans number almost 2 million, most having come since 1959. California has the largest Hispanic population (13 million); Texas (8.6 million) and Florida (3.8 million) follow. The number of Hispanics in the United States will triple by 2050 and represent nearly 30 percent of the population if current trends continue, according to a 2008 report by the Pew Research Center. Hispanics in America have grown in social and economic status despite prejudice and other difficulties. Yet many need better education, employment and living conditions.  Heritage flows deeply. Hispanic characteristics are family loyalty, dignity of the individual, courtesy and a joy of living. Most Hispanics take great pride in their culture and maintain a strong sense of nationalism even after immigration. Respect for their native language and culture is very important to them.  Tradition also plays an important role, including the religious tradition to which most cling: that is Catholicism. However, less than 20 percent are active Roman Catholics; 15 percent are Protestants; the remainder attend no church.  Southern Baptist ministry to Hispanics dates to the 1800s when Texans first witnessed to Mexican-Americans. Today, we find more than 4,000 Hispanic Southern Baptist congregations with 500,000 members in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. This is but a beginning. Thousands of new Hispanic churches are needed. Never in the History of this nation have Hispanics been more receptive to the evangelical message than they are now. OM  You can help:   • Pray for those who work among Hispanic-Americans.   • Increase your support for outreach to Hispanics.   • Become involved in missions and ministry to Hispanic-Americans.  Bob Seña is a coordinator for NAMB’s Resource Development and Delivery Team.