Who are Hispanics? The term Hispanic refers in general to a Spanish-speaking people or culture. Latino is often used synonymously with Hispanic but technically refers to people of Latin American origin. However, the term Hispanic is used more often than Latino to refer to peoples from countries in Central and South America, because different nationalities from Spanish-speaking countries are included in the term Hispanic.

Quickcan you name the top three Spanish-speaking countries? (For answer see below).¹

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hispanic-Americansnumbering 39.9 million in 2003are the largest minority in America. They make up 13.7 percent of the U.S. population and represent a vast and diverse mosaic of people from many countries. Two-thirds of Hispanics are from Mexico.

About 714,000 Hispanics live in Canada. Experts project that Hispanics in the United States alone will number 60 million by the year 2020 and 160 million by 2080. Increasing immigration and growing numbers of Hispanic children account for this growth.

About 80 percent of Hispanics are concentrated in the West and the South. However, within this settlement pattern is a wide disparity depending upon country of origin. For example, about 75 percent of those born in the Caribbean live in New York or Miami metro areas, while those born in Mexico are largely concentrated in the Los Angeles area and Texas.²

The opportunity to make an impact
Although most Hispanics are Catholics, a large number of them are more Catholic by name than by practice. Some people groups (such as Cuban-Americans) show little interest in organized religion. Its heartening to note that many churches in America are reaching out not only to Hispanic-Americans but also to the many sub-groups this category represents. The fact that many such people groups are living all around us is Gods invitation to reach them with the good news of Jesus Christ.

The fact that so many Hispanics come from different countries with diverse cultures and worldviews points out the need to start many types of churches to reach all kinds of Hispanics. Typically, recent immigrants (first generation) prefer churches that use customs and languages that were used in their home country. However, many Hispanics in North America are not first generation, but second or third generation or older. Many of these Hispanics prefer churches that use English and customs common to the United States.

Its clear that Hispanics with both their current population and their projected population have an increasingly significant influence on the cultural and spiritual health of the United States. Its extremely important, therefore, that Southern Baptists prayerfully join in Gods plan for starting new churches with the gospel of Jesus Christ among Hispanics.

Last year Southern Baptists started more than 300 Hispanic churches. Southern Baptist Hispanic churches now number approximately 3,000. The membership for these churches is nearly 130,000. Unfortunately, these totals amount to less than 1 percent of the 36 million Hispanics living in North America.

If Southern Baptists are going to have greater eternal impact on Hispanics, they must put a face on lostness among Hispanics. Matthew 9:36 records that when Jesus saw the multitudes of people, He was moved by compassion for them. He saw that they were weary and scattered like sheep without a shepherd. What enabled Jesus to see the multitudes? He was with the people, walking among them day by day. Likewise, Southern Baptists must get out among the Hispanics of their communities and see them, assess their needs and allow the Holy Spirit to move them with compassion for the sake of Hispanics who have yet to come to Christ.

The North American Mission Board is working with state conventions, associations, churches and church planters to start many new Hispanic churches in 2004. You can be involved, too, right where you live, if Hispanics live in your community. Consider doing the following:

Remember, church planting is essentially sharing the gospel and making disciples through relationships. Hispanics are very relational. So when you begin to walk among the Hispanics in your community,

be a genuine friend and gain their trust. As you build relationships with Hispanics, ask about their home country, their unique people group heritage, the hopes and dreams of their families and their struggles. Be sure to keep your promises to them.

The majority of Hispanics have a Catholic background. But dont assume that they know more than the basic traditions of the Roman Catholic Church. Take time to understand their beliefs and spiritual journey. Then you can share the gospel in a manner that relates the truth of Christ to their current beliefs. Also try to demonstrate on a personal level the meaning of the gospel by getting involved with the needs of their families.

Never doubt that God can use you as an individual or in partnership with others to make disciples of the Hispanic peoples living in your community. Jesus commanded us to make disciples of all people groups in Matthew 28:19, and He will make it happen if we obey Him.

The North American Mission Board can provide you with resources to assist you in being an effective witness and reaching out to these people groups. You can contact the Church Planting Group at plantachurch@namb.net and the Evangelization Group at 770-410-6336.

The need to belong
In an article written by a Cuban-American Republican and a Mexican-American Democrat, the authors point out that you may think stories about your vacation in Cancun are a great icebreaker, but youre probably talking to someone who vacations in Disneyland and eats at Fridays.³ The authors also point out that although Hispanics are proud of their heritage, they want to be recognized as belonging to the country they live in now.

Keep in mind that the difference between a first generation and third generation Hispanic-American may be much starker than that of a Cuban-American from Florida or a Salvadoran-American from D.C.

The rest of this article will examine two of the three largest Hispanic groups in North AmericaMexican-Americans and Cuban-Americans. We hope youll better see and understand who these people are and how God can use you to plant the gospel in their lives.

This introduction was co-authored by Van Sanders, Ph.D., a former missionary to Kenya who is now a missiologist with the North American Mission Board (NAMB).

MEXICAN-AMERICANS
Mexican-Americans make up two-thirds of the Hispanic population in the United States and are more likely to be concentrated in the West (55 percent) and the South (34 percent). They are also the Hispanic sub-group most likely to have a family with five or more members. Today about 25 million Mexican-Americans live in the U.S. and 714,000 live in Canada.

Unlike other Hispanics, Mexican-Americans were here at the beginning. Theres a saying among Mexicans in Texas, We never crossed the border. The border crossed us.  Nine years after a triumphant rebellion against Mexico, Texas became the 28th state. The Mexican-American War resulted in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 that added a huge swath of territory from California to Colorado to the United States. The 80,000 Mexicans who lived in this area found themselves to be citizens of the United States.⁴ Of course, most Mexican-Americans in the U.S. today have come here more recently.

Religion
Although we have numerous examples of Protestant churches reaching out to Mexican-Americans, about 75 percent of Mexican-Americans are of the Catholic faith. All Hispanic-Americans, including Mexican-Americans, face a dichotomy. According to Moiss Sandoval: There is a social distance between them and the institutional Church. For some it is a vague discomfort For others, it is the perception that the clergy is not interested in themThey are the objects of ministry rather than its agents. (Sandoval, On the Move: A History of the Hispanic Church in the United States, p.131)

Things to remember when interacting with a Mexican-American
The Mexican culture is highly collectivist, which means your Mexican-American friend is likely to consider accepting Christ in light of how it will be perceived and received by his or her family. Also, because of the dominant cultural and social impact of Catholicism, your friend may struggle a lot even if he or she is convinced of the gospel. Be prepared to walk with your friend if there is a strong spiritual and familial resistence.

Modern history (coupled with recent experiences of some Mexican-Americans) reinforces the stereotype in their minds that Americans in general have a negative attitude toward them. Remember that individuals are just thatdistinct and individual. Each person is different, but we wont get an opportunity to know unless we actively build relationships. So take that chance and enter into peoples worlds.

Mexican-Americans value personal honor, hard work and integrity. They also tend to be hospitable and people-focused. Building and maintaining relationships is more important than following a day-timer. This presents a good opportunity to get to know Mexican-Americans in your circle of influence.

Soccer (known as football among Hispanics) is the most popular sport in Mexico. This makes it a good topic for conversation! Other safe topics include Mexican culture, history and heritage.

Sensitive issues
If you are a female relating to a first-generation Mexican-American male, keep in mind that Mexico is a country where the concept of machismo is still prevalent in some areas. Your views may not be taken seriously. This may not be an issue if youre interacting with someone who was born in the U.S. or Canada.

Mexicans often like to remind their American friends that unlike other Latin American countries, Mexico is part of North America. Do not confuse them with South Americans.

Avoid talking about politics or illegal immigration issues. If your friend brings it up, do more listening than talking.

Mexicans tend to have a lot of reverence for churches. If your church allows casual clothing, clapping or other forms of expressions that would be inappropriate in a traditional Catholic church, be prepared to explain to your Mexican-American friend the reasons behind it.

Dont criticize your Mexican-American friend in front of others. If you have to do it, do it privately.

On etiquette: Mexicans in general have a smaller personal space than Americans. If you are talking to a first-generation Mexican-American, dont be surprised if he or she stands really close to you. Backing off is usually a mistake, as your friend will simply step forward to close the gap! To some Mexican-Americans, the thumbs down gesture is considered obscene.

Above all, pray that Mexican-Americans will find true meaning and experience a vibrant spiritual renewal and that more of them will come to know Jesus. Pray for the on mission churches and Christians who are trying to reach them.

CUBAN-AMERICANS
By Rajendra Pillai

The first wave of Cubans who arrived in America were educated and largely from the middle and upper classes. They fled Cuba for political reasons. However, subsequent waves of migration in recent decades have come mostly for economic reasons, although Cuba remains under the control of a dictator.

The Census 2000 counted 1.2 million people of Cuban descent. This represented a growth of more than 40 percent between 1990 and 2000. Most Cuban-Americans live in Florida (especially in Miami-Dade County). Concentrations of Cuban-American communities can also be found in New York, New Jersey and California.

Religion
Most Cubans do not indicate any interest in organized religion. About half are Catholic, but most do not actively practice it. Some estimates say 80 percent of Americans born in Cuba are Catholic.⁵ Others classify Cuba as the least religious Latin American nation.⁶ One survey shows Cuban-Americans are much more liberal on issues like abortion than other Hispanics (although politically they are far more conservative than other Hispanics).⁷ If you would like to assist in church planting among the Cuban-American community, please contact the North American Mission Board at plantachurch@namb.net.

Things to remember when interacting with a Cuban-American
 

Cubas official language is Spanish. Although most Cuban-Americans either speak Spanish as a primary or a secondary language, many know English well. However, your attempt to speak in Spanish will create an immediate rapport. Brush up on your high school Spanish. You can now use it for Kingdom work! Younger Cuban-Americans often speak Spanglisha mixture of English and Spanish.

Cuban culture is also a highly collectivist culture (where being part of a group is far more important than making independent individual decisions). If your Cuban friend seems convinced but is hesitant to accept the gospel, it could mean that he or she is considering how this decision will impact family and friends. Be supportive, prayerful  and patient.

Baseball is the most popular sport among Cubans, making it a safe topic for conversation. Other popular games are basketball and volleyball. Also, the game of Dominoes is widely played in Cuba.

Although Cuban culture is collectivist in nature, some research shows that a growing number of elder Cuban immigrants in America are living alone.⁸ This presents a growing challenge to minister to the older Hispanic community. Pray that our Lord will provide creative insights to churches and ministries working in this area.

Cubans in general are very hospitable. Concentrate on building a relationship before you bring up the topic of religion.

Although as a people-group Cuban-Americans tend to be either Catholic or nonreligious, recent immigrants are very open to becoming a part of the greater American community. Pray that more believers will become the friends Cuban-Americans need who will lead them to Christ.

Keep in mind that some Cuban-Americans dont care much about certain Hispanic celebrations (such as Cinco de Mayo). The U.S. Hispanic population is varied along lines of culture, ethnicity and religion.

A whole new generation of Cuban-Americans was born here. In fact, most Cuban-Americans have never been to Cubathey are native-born citizens of the United States.⁹ Often called the ABC generation (American Born Cuban), they are much more assimilated into the mainstream American culture.

Sensitive issues
Cuban men can be passionate about their views, especially if its a political discussion. Stay away from politics. If your Cuban friend brings it up, be quick to listen and slow to speak.

Avoid comparing Cuba to the United States.

If you have Cuban-Americans in your neighborhood or workplace, get to know them. Build a relationship and when the Lord leads, share the good news of Jesus with them. Pray that Cuban-Americans will realize true fulfillment can be found only in Jesus. Pray also for the on mission churches and Christians who are trying to reach them.

Rajendra Pillai, originally from Calcutta, India, speaks on cross-cultural issues across the continent. He is the author of Reaching the World in Our Own Backyard (WaterBrook Press, 2003) and lives in Damascus, Maryland.