The Excellent Book, Hispanic Realities Impacting America: Implications for Evangelism and Missions , by Daniel Sanchez, Ph.D., provides an eye-opening overview of America’s rapidly changing population demographics.
It vividly reminds readers that Hispanics have spread throughout the country faster than immigrant any previous group. Its central point IS that Hispanics are showing more receptivity to the Evangelical message than ever before in the history of the Country .
What I found most helpful was the discussion about needs in the Hispanic community (chapter 13). The author, a seminary professor who was previously a missionary and church planter, highlights a survey of Hispanic pastors who suggested various needs that could be served, which the pastors ranked in this order:
68%, Helping persons get jobs or better jobs
61%, Helping new immigrants establish themselves
61%, Helping persons to have better access to basic social services (health care, Social Security, Medicare)
61%, Counseling programs
59%, Ministry-based evangelism such as block parties)
58%, English or citizenship classes
57%, Evangelistic services
53%, Helping students to stay in school
52%, Church / community sports programs
50%, Job training
49%, After-school programs for teenagers
45%, Drug / alcoholic rehabilitation programs
45%, Daycare or childcare programs
41%, Reduce violence among families
38%, Food distribution
32% Programs for the elderly
31%, Providing shelter for the homeless
29%, Reduce violence in the community
26%, Adequate housing
21%, Voter registration.
Certainly people’s needs will vary from place to place according to economic level and other factors including proficiency in English, but these are good ideas of how to serve especially our Hispanic neighbors who are newer to this country – but they also apply well to anyone else we want to reach out to and serve. What’s Working best in your Community for Reaching out to your Hispanic neighbors?
By Leadership Network on November 6th, 2013. www.leadnet.org. Used by permission.
