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