Ministry to the
Hispanic Community:
an Overview
By Daniel E. Lopez
(281) 744-0644
Ministerios EN PROFUNDIDAD
www.enprofundidad.com
contents
Analysis of the Hispanic Community
 Hispanic Christianity of Houston
 Hot Issues in Ministry to Hispanics
 Models of Hispanic Ministry
 Conclusions

defining “hispanic”





28% of population of Texas is Hispanic.
Between 1980 and 1990 the Hispanic population
increased by 75.9%
Currently, the Houston Metropolitan area has
over one million Hispanics, with Harris County
having the largest concentration (799,000).
40% are under 20 years of age, and 91% are
under 50 years of age.
Three distinct groups: assimilated, semiassimilated, non-assimilated.
… “Hispanics” … or “Latinos”?
non-assimilated hispanics
Predominantly Spanish-speaking, and adhere to
Hispanic culture in everyday life. Most family
members exposed to Spanish media only. Eat
the same foods as in their country of origin, mix
mainly with other Hispanics, and live in Hispanic
neighborhoods.
 In virtually all cases, this group is comprised of
people that have been born in other countries
and have lived in the States less than 10 years.
A sizeable number of this group are illegal aliens
or are in the process of becoming legal
residents. For the most part, non-assimilated
Hispanics have a low standard of living.
 They comprise 36% of Houston’s Hispanic
population. Rather erratic church attendance
patterns, very mobile population.

semi-assimilated hispanics
Tend to be bilingual, are exposed to both English
and Spanish media, although highly agedependent. Most of them 1st generation that
have lived in this country for a long time.
Although influenced by both cultures, their
allegiance to the Hispanic culture and values is
still very high.
 They represent 42% of Houston’s Hispanic
population.
 This group has a higher income level than the
first group, and a sizeable number may have
college degrees and are entrepreneurs.
 Most of them meet in Spanish-speaking
churches because of family ties, etc.

assimilated hispanics
Either born in the US or have lived in this
country most of their lives. Speak English
fluently, no discernible accent, may or may not
speak Spanish. These people are primarily
exposed to English media, and have a lifestyle
similar to non-Hispanics.
 Mostly 2nd or 3rd generation, attend Anglo
churches, and tend to downplay their cultural
heritage.
 They represent 22% of Houston’s Hispanic
population.
 There are very few “pure Hispanic churches”
that target primarily this segment.

the “typical” hispanic church








Was started two years ago.
Has 65 people in attendance.
Meets at a strip mall or facilities of an “Anglo” church.
Pastor is 45 years old, first-generation Hispanic, no
College, no theological education.
Changes facilities every 1.5 years.
Has an attrition rate of 50% every 2 years.
Will divide, die or undergo a severe restructuring every
3 years.
Very limited knowledge of legal, financial or church
administration issues.
hispanic christianity
There are about 500 Spanish-speaking
Protestant churches in the Houston area, with a
combined attendance of 75,000 any given
Sunday.
 Pentecostal/Charismatic churches comprise
60%, Baptists 30%, and independent/Bible
churches 10%.
 Phenomenal growth rate – double membership
every three years.
 Theologically, most Hispanic churches are nondispensational, Covenant-oriented,pre-millenial,
Arminian view of salvation, fairly legalistic.

Ministry Issues

Immigration Issues




Biblical Implications..





Can’t work legally
Can’t get a Social Security Number
Difficulty getting a driver’s license, medical insurance.
Can they be Christians and remain illegal?
Can they be members of a local church?
Can they be in leadership positions?
Do we send them back home?
At the very least…





Live above reproach
Pay your taxes! (get your ITIN)
Be a good worker in the workplace
Manage your finances wisely (buy a house!)
Pray intentionally to God about your legal status!
Ministry Issues

Church management & leadership




Legality of the local church




Good leaders hard to find
Poor biblical training
Poor knowldege of practical matters
Incorporation, bylaws, etc.
No tax-exempt status by the IRS
Poor financial management practices
No long-term strategy



Leadership development
Savings/Investment
Difficult to own facilities.
Other Issues
Spiritual growth of believers
 Catholic background of believers

Getting saved by “faith, not works”
 Living by “faith, not works”

Undue influence of pastor on families
 Fellowship-oriented, not evangelistic
 Inter-generational problems within the church
 A bilingual church?
 Cultural problems within the church

types of hispanic ministries
TYPE I – The Sunday School Class in Spanish
Many large Anglo congregations have Sunday School
classes in Spanish in parallel with their regular Sunday
programs. Many large bodies also have simultaneous
translation ministries of Sunday services. This model only
purposes to teach content in this language, and there is no
stated goal of growing the group, forming leaders or
seeding a future spanish-speaking local church. A major
disadvantage of this model is that there is no concept of
local church, and many class participants do not “feel” part
of the bigger church. Consequently, as Christians mature,
they usually feel constrained by the lack of a more strategic
plan, and they leave. Hence, this model creates a
continuous revolving-door mentality.
type of hispanic ministries
TYPE II – Use of Facilities by Spanish Group
This model consists of a large Anglo church renting or
allowing the use of part of their facilities to the minority
congregation. Usually, this means that the Hispanic main
services are held in the afternoon, when the facilities are
not being used by the mother church. The great advantage
of this model is that the Spanish congregation has the
virtually unlimited use of facilities such as gym, kitchen,
fellowship hall, nursery, etc. Typically, the Hispanic church
functions independently of the host church, and it may not
be of the same denomination or have the same doctrinal
position. A major disadvantage of this model is that it
creates complacency, and it does not encourage good
stewardship of financial, human and spiritual resources.
the ethnic- missionary approach
TYPE III – The Spanish-speaking church
development initiative is part of a larger vision for
church-planting and mentoring from the mother
(anglo) church. This approach recognizes that
there is a vast potential existing in the surrounding
vicinity for ethnic ministries, and the church
implements a carefully crafted strategic plan to
start, grow, and later release (spin-off) a Hispanic
church to minister as an autonomous entity.
What can Bible Churches do?
Connect with Hispanic leaders
 Allow the use of facilities (“incubator”)
 Partner with an existing hispanic church
 Scholarship hispanics for Bible training.
 Do a more systematic “Church plant”
among a few Bible Churches.
 Help with resources, food, clothes etc.

Conclusion
Great upside potential in Hispanic ministry
 The U.S. is a wide-open mission field
 Anglo churches need to recognize
opportunities.
 Best people to reach Hispanics are Hispanics!
 Hispanic churches need to get serious!
 Hispanic pastors need to get trained!
