|

  • Reaching Hispanic Men

    By Gus Suarez
    Executive Director
    Northwest Baptist Convention

    The Male Factor and the Church

    • Many churches have primarily been formed, established, and assisted by women.
    • Many churches are unhealthy and dysfunctional because our target group has been children and women.
    • The consequences of a lack of male leaders have been devastating.
    • A perception by our Hispanic audience is that religion is just for women and children.
    • A feminization of some of the patterns of church life and worship has not made it male-friendly.
    • A shortage of ministers in our evangelical churches.
    • A shortage of trained male, lay leadership

    Cultural Factors to Keep in Mind as We Try to Reach, and Keep, Hispanic Men

    • The dynamics of family relationships in the Hispanic family.
    • The interactions of the North American culture and the culture of origin of the given individual.
    • The values Hispanic men bring into relationships.
    • The fears associated with the attempt to cross barries or race, language, and/or culture.
    • The different levels of assimilation and acculturation of the men we are trying to reach.

    Practical Steps That Will Help Us Reach and Keep Hispanic Men

    • We have to look for ways to connect with others. Let the power of God flow through you to do something good in others.
    • Be creative as you approach the different groups:
      1. First generation (mono-lingual/mono-cultural)
      2. First generation (mono-cultural/bilingual)
      3. First generation (bicultural-bilingual)
      4. Second generation (same variations as above)
    • Take a mentoring/discipling approach. 
    • Make use of the need for fellowship and companionship.

    What Could Happen if We Had a Revival Among the Men?

    • It would give Hispanic men a chance to actively participate in the evangelization of the world.
    • The church would have an abundance of ministers to meet the needs of the growing Hispanic population.
    • Children would have an abundance of male role models who are committed and obedient to the call of God.

    Suggested Resources:

    Understanding Latin Americans by Eugene Nida.

    Message and Mission: The Communication of the Christian Faith by Eugene Nida.

    The Hispanic Challenge: Opportunities Confronting the Church by Manuel Ortiz

    Iglesia y Cultura by Daniel Sanchez

    Voces: Voices from the Hispanic Church edited by Justo L. González

    Mañana: Christian Theology from a Hispanic Perspective by Justo L González

    El Pueblo que Testifica de Cristo by Darrell W. Robinson