Mexican Americans

I. Historical Perspective


A. Country of Origin - Mexico


B. Language(s) - People of Mexican origin have Spanish as their primary language, although many of the Mexican indigenous people who immigrate to the U.S. also speak another native language, which dates back to pre-Columbian times. 


C. Religious Background - An overwhelming majority of Mexicans are Catholic. Barna states that 53 percent of all Hispanics are Catholic. Presently, however, only 1 percent of all Hispanics attend church on a typical Sunday. 


D. Southern Baptist Work - Work by Southern Baptists among Mexicans started in the late 1800s. The First Mexican Baptist Church of San Antonio, Texas, was established in 1888. The First Mexican Baptist Church of Laredo, Texas, followed soon after.


E. Subcultures - The native cultures of Mexico were also brought over to the United States.  Because of large numbers of Mexicans in heavily populated areas, it is very popular to give prominence to the different cultures. The openness of the communities to celebrate ethnic cultures gives acceptance to many subgroups that have come from Mexico. Two of these subcultures are represented by first- and second-generation Mexicans.


F. Past Challenges - Institutionalized Christianity and institutionalized racism prevented a good understanding and acceptance of the Mexican culture and language.  The Mexican culture was stereotyped by a heavily sedated "Mexican Joe" sitting under a cactus plant. Prevalent attitudes created different living conditions, which limited and gave birth to substandard educational environments and low-paying employment conditions.

G. Past Immigration Patterns - At the time Texas declared its independence, it is estimated there were more than 100,000 people of Mexican descent who were living in the state. These, like others in Arizona, New Mexico, and California, became U.S. citizens by virtue of the land changing hands. To these were added the many who have immigrated legally, plus those who have crossed, and continue to cross, the border illegally.

II. Current/Future Challenges


A. Population - The 2000 census counted a Hispanic population that is now 39,068,764. The percentage of Hispanics of Mexican origin has now reached 66 percent.


B. Present Immigration Patterns - Many sociologists indicate that Hispanics are the most urbanized group in America. Ninety percent of Hispanics live in urban areas. That means close to 28 million of the total 31 million people live in large urban centers. Southern Baptist success in evangelism and church planting is rural-oriented, while the greatest potentials for growth are in the urban arena.


C. Evangelism - Southern Baptist churches need to re-position their priorities, changing their strategies in order to reach this Hispanic audience.  A mindset other than rural needs to be developed. First- and second-generation leaders who are traditionally set to reach people in the native language lead the Mexican church. While these leaders need to be deployed at every opportunity, new leaders need to be raised that are fully bilingual and bicultural. The "Net" and "Faith" evangelism tools are appropriate strategies for reaching Mexican-Americans. For churches participating in "Faith," the next logical step is starting Bible studies and planting new churches among those reached.


D. Church Planting - Growth in Baptist work among people of Mexican descent has been fueled by a steady flow of foreign-born and foreign-trained leaders. The challenges we face require that we continue to accept the flow of foreign-trained leaders who immigrate with their people.  However, we must continue to find ways to access and train leaders who are born, saved, and trained within this culture. "Hispanization" of Anglo evangelism strategies and church planting models will not do the job. Family-oriented Mexican churches, as well as contemporary models, need to be utilized to reach all Mexicans in their language, culture, and context. 


E. Family Life

1. Education - There has been a slight improvement in education over the last decades, but the drop-out rate among Mexican teenagers is still a challenge.

2. Occupation - Employment opportunities follow educational and training opportunities. A growing number of Mexicans have taken virtually every kind of occupational position and have turned them into income-generating opportunities.

III. Resources

- Hispanic Church Planting Guide-Church Planting, North American Mission Board
- Witnessing to Our Catholic Friends-Interfaith, North American Mission Board
- Bob Sena, Manager, North American Mission Board
- Daniel Sanchez, Director, Scarborough Church Growth Institute, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth, Texas
- Manuel Ortiz (English-Preference Hispanic Specialist), Westminster Theological Seminary, P.O. Box 27009, Philadelphia, PA 19118