Cityreaching Conference Call
January 18, 2007
10:00 a.m. CST
Guest: Dr. Chip Anderson
Topic: Outreach to Hispanics
Early callers were welcomed by Glenn Barth, and identified themselves by name and city..
Jose Quesada from Boise, ID was asked to open the call in prayer.
Announcements:
► City Impact Roundtable in El Paso April 19-21. Registration is available at www.cityreaching.com. Why would you want to come? It is an opportunity to meet with others who also have a heart for reaching their cities. You will hear from Reid Carpenter, a cityreacher with 40 years experience in Philadelphia, now doing significant work in over 30 cities. The second plenary speaker is Eric Swanson, author of The Externally Focused Church. He tells how through serving, churches have new evangelistic opportunities in their communities, CIR is made up of plenary sessions, peer-to-peer groups and presentations by cities.
► There will be some meetings prior to the CIR – a Cityreachers Research Summit April 17-19. If you are interested in how research impacts what you are trying to do in your city in effective outreach, this research will be profitable. A Youth Summit and Loving Our Communities to Christ (LC2C) groups are also planned. Cityreachers will be there from all across the country.
► Next month this call will be Feb. 15, at 10 o’clock a.m. Central time. Our next guest may well be David Bryant. Author of Christ is All.
For today’s call, I am pleased to introduce to you a man who has become a friend just this year. For years he ministered in Latin America as a missionary, developing ministries in San Juan, Costa Rica and elsewhere. A few years ago he was asked to return to the U.S. to put his organizational abilities to work at Christ for the City. This organization has grown now to over 180 missionaries. Dr. Anderson, tell us a little about your background doing cityreaching in Latin America.
Anderson: I originally went down in 1982, not knowing Spanish or the culture. From 1982 – 2000 I was involved in cityreaching efforts, based in Costa Rica. I worked with the Pastoral Alliance of Costa Rica and Pastoral Alliances of several other Latin American countries. I was basically finding out what they wanted to do for their cities, and working to help them accomplish it. When they had a vision, we would bring in researchers and try to help find help, bringing in short term teams from other Latin countries as well as from the U.S. A lot of those were prayer efforts. We helped with church planting; we didn’t own those churches, but would help with denominations if they asked us to, bringing in evangelists, singers, and prayer warriors, to serve the vision of the local alliance.
Glenn: Did you work with Ray Bakke?
Anderson: His vision back then was part of why we got started back in 1983.
Glenn: I know that one of the things you do is put on a seminar for pastors and marketplace leaders called “Understanding Latin America” to help develop understanding and reconciliation between people in the U.S. and the Latino population. We are aware of the growing Latino population here.
Anderson: The best estimates are 42-43 million in the U.S. The southern tier, California, New Mexico, Texas has a higher %. Some have over 50% minority. Here in the Upper Midwest we are experiencing a great flood of Latinos. I’m speaking right now from Omaha, Nebraska. The meat packing plants are bringing many. Since I came back in 2000 I’ve had to educate myself about the Latino population. There is an older Latino population that has been in the U.S. for hundreds of years. They were in Texas before we were. Up in this area it is the newer population. There are distinctives between those populations. Sometimes the older don’t like the newer ones coming in to their churches and communities. We work a lot with Latino families, listening, praying, hearing their struggles with their families, their children, losing their Spanish. The newer Latino families are under different stresses as they try to set up life here in the U.S. There are a lot of pressures.
Glenn: Often when people speak of Latino pop, Americans aren’t aware of the different nationalities and cultural backgrounds.
Anderson: That is very important to Latinos. There are about 67% Mexican, a lot of Nicaraguans, El Salvadorians, etc. The thing about Latin America is that each country is very unique, and all are very proud of their heritage. Some of my Colombian friends are offended when they are taken for Mexicans. They have their own culture, foods, etc. They like to be recognized for who they are. So one of the things is get to know what country they are from and honor that country, as a Guatemalan, a Mexican, etc.
Glenn: If someone calls you and says they would like to begin a ministry to Latinos, what is your advice?
Anderson: The first thing, you need to be aware of is what the population is in your area. In some areas the population is larger. You’ve got to do good demographic background study. You need good friends in that community. As an Anglo, you need to work through people who have friendships among them. If you are going to do church planting or ministry, those friends in the Latino community become your seal of approval, and will introduce you into that community so they will trust you.
Glenn: What are some of the keys to dev friendships?
Anderson: Loyalty is very important. You need to stay loyal, stay in touch. The Latinos love a good party. Invite them to your house. They are very relational. They like to hang out together. We have several friends, and we like to go out. You need to be with them when they go through a crisis. Develop a relationship.
Glenn: Is speaking Spanish important?
Anderson: Yes, it’s very important. But if you will try while they are learning English you can develop friendships while they are learning. They are so relational. You will want to pray with them, and speaking Spanish will be very important. Especially in the first generation, Spanish is very important.
Glenn: Yes, I can see that. My two years of Spanish are pretty limited. Has Jarvis joined the call yet?
Jarvis: Yes, keep going. It’s a wonderful call. You’re on a roll.
Glenn: What are some models of effective church planting you see today in the Latino community?
Anderson: It depends on your city, how effective it is. Take it with a grain of salt. I’ve seen churches that have gone on a short term trip and come back, wanting to establish a church here. They go to Latin America and bring someone up here to help start it. The problem is they don’t always do their research. If their population is primarily Mexican and they bring a Guatemalan or El Salvadorian up, it doesn’t always work. I’ve seen some Faux-Pauxs. The Guatemalan coming up here will find a few Guatemalans and start a group. I’ve seen some good results when someone comes who is from the majority population.
Another model I’ve seen is an Anglo church partnering with an already existing Latino church. If the pastors are involved, they adopt one another and help each other out. so there is a lot of autonomy of decision but with backing of resources and blessings of the Anglo church.
A third model I’ve seen, usually by a larger church or denomination; they develop a department of Latino Outreach. They start a special series, not just the church service, but services toward the Latino community. A lot, especially the first generation, want to have resources available to help their families and their status in the country. Going to a large resource is attractive. Those are the three models I’ve seen.
Question & Answer
Glenn: We’ll give an opportunity to ask questions about being more effective in reaching Latinos. If you want to ask a question, un-mute your phone, tell us your name and where you are from, and ask your question.
Vivian Ruth Sawyer, Louisville, KY: We have a number of Hispanic brothers and sisters on this conference call. I’d be delighted to hear their comments on what Dr. Anderson has said. They have an inside the loop perspective that would be of interest.
Glenn: That’s an excellent request.
Jose Quesada, Idaho: I like the 3three views. I’m working with the 3rd view, incorporating the Latinos into the Anglo church. Anglos have so much available in resources - volunteers to help with children and young people. I think we don’t have enough leadership in the Latino pop. I’m 55, and my wife and I have been in ministry in an Anglo church. I grew up segregated from the Anglo church. What we need to do is integrate them. Spanish is good to know, the culture is good, and integrate them into the culture to learn from them. I work with 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation Hispanics. I translate all the messages in the services. The 1st generation really enjoys it. We have about 30 small Hispanic churches, but they don’t have the resources to get going. I’ve gotten to know a lot of these pastors who are really struggling. We’ve been able to help them with tracts and Bibles. For us it is working well.
Glenn: I’ve been around the U.S. We have such different approaches because of the differing sizes of the Hispanic cities. In the El Paso area it is as high as 70%. If you get further north, it’s smaller, but our cities and communities are homes to so many. If the population is smaller, the need to interact with the other populations – the Anglo, the black – will be much higher.
Anderson: I think Jose has a great point. The volunteerism of the Anglo church is a big plus, and the Latino pop appreciates it. There are other ministries that need support. We are trying to promote those ministries, send their youth groups down to help the Latino community. That world view of the Anglo church is a great advantage for us.
Glenn: Would you mention a bit about your role with Christ for the Cities, and how you might be able to help existing ministries in churches. I see you aren’t trying to do it all, but want to help both become more effective.
Anderson: We’ve been working overseas for many years. Returning, I’ve been thrust into work with Latinos here in the U.S. A businessman said they were having trouble with the population moving into the Upper Midwest. We give a mini-orientation course for businessmen’s groups and pastors, educators, government people For pastors, I talk about church planting strategies, dos and don’ts. For business it’s more of a marketing deal. For others, I’ve been asked to come in as a consultant and talk to church outreach committees about how to do it on a denominational level. And we continue to work overseas. I know we are very small here in the U.S. Our big thrust ahs been our work in Latin Am. We’ve tried to help the Mission America Coalition (MAC) and Cityreachers by bringing up teams of Latin pastors to different areas up here, trying to build some unity among the Latino churches. We’ve brought groups to Omaha from Costa Rica, and are bringing a group from El Salvador. We believe in the MAC and CIR vision.
Laudie Lugo, Waukegan, IL: I pastor a multi-racial church. We have a second service on Sunday morning, all Spanish. I’m Spanish, 3rd generation Puerto Rican. I’m praying to develop leadership in 2nd and 3rd generation Hispanics. We need bridges. I’ve found in my church and ministry that my people know I’m 3rd generation Hispanic. I think some of the predominantly Spanish speaking people find security in knowing there is a leader who can be a bridge for them. We need to be intentional about bringing up leadership, pastors, evangelists and church planters. That will be crucial. Being Hispanic, I see trends in Hispanic people in my country. The majority want to integrate into American culture. It’s almost a mentality for some who want to bring their culture here, but there is a growing number who say “we are here in the U.S. We want to adapt, embrace an American lifestyle, keeping our roots, being true to who we are, but make the adjustment.” I think people feel security when there is a leader who can be a bridge. We planted another church about 45 minutes west of where we are. It’s all Spanish, pastored by another Puerto Rican, but 1st generation who have been here about 30 years. He is running into some of these problems, not able to be a bridge. He’s here with legal status. It was interesting what Dr. Anderson said. It’s hard for this pastor to even relate to some of the problems Mexicans have, some of them coming illegally. We understand that within the Hispanic culture there are different cultures and mindsets. We can’t be bunched together. It’s hard for him to be a bridge because he has issues with the American mindset. So I think the key is to work with that 2nd and 3rd generation leadership.
Anderson: In Latin America we have a problem with church planting coming out of another church. It’s (church leadership) often almost a family dynasty. It’s hard to bring up that 3rd gen. When they come up here and see we are transparent, we really want to plug in and help develop leaders, it’s almost culture shock. They are used to leaders who lead everything. To have the Latino and Anglo churches really develop is really unique to them. The whole aspect of prayer is key. I encourage everyone to focus on that. This is a group of people who really love to pray, not the two or three minute prayers, but fifteen minutes, half hour prayer. We see that in the pastoral alliances. Those that pray are the strong ones.
Mark, CCC: I really want to affirm everything that has been said. Gloria and I have been listening and have been encouraged. One of the strategies we have that has been effective - I’ve been in San Antonio in ministry for the last 15 years, and my wife has been in ministry in Orlando. There is a vast difference – strong Puerto Rican influence in Orlando, Mexican in San Antonio. One of the strategies we have been emphasizing is focusing on developing leaders at the college level. There is a huge growing population of Hispanic college students. We also try to partner much closer to the Hispanic churches and bring the resources of CCC to the local church. In training and development, we have been able to slowly help, especially in Florida and Texas. We have seen a great response because there is that 2nd and 3rd generation who want to raise their kids and adopt positive things from the American culture but retain positive things from their own culture. It’s been exciting to see so many of the leaders we have been developing and send them back to serve in the church. One example, we were able to reach a college student at Texas State. He became a Christian in 1998 through the Latino movement we have there. As a result he went to seminary, graduated, and moved to Austin, TX to plant a Hispanic church in connection with Hill Country Church, which has been very supportive and wanting to reach the community. One of the reasons I like that strategy is because the Hispanic churches have done a great job of focusing on children and youth ministry, single moms, but so many times that fruit gets lost as the kids get older and want to gain things the American society has to offer.
Glenn: Thanks so much. It’s effective to reach people’s hearts by addressing their needs.
Jarvis: I want to ask two quick questions of Dr. Anderson and perhaps others. We’ve heard reports that in some of the areas where Hispanics are coming in, there seem to be conflicts between African Americans and Hispanics. Where are we seeing models coming working in meaningful community transformation?
Anderson: I would love to hear a good example of that. Basically what I’m seeing so far – I’ve seen really good African American associations and really good Latino alliance associations, but not much cross-over. Perhaps someone else on line has better experience than I do.
(There was silence on the call)
Glenn: I’m not hearing any response to that.
Jarvis: I’m sure there are responses, maybe not on the call, but I would hope there are some examples. But I know there are some huge challenges there. Perhaps that’s a question we want to at least explore. ‘
Glenn: Let me mention one: Dr. Fred Iglesia runs the Urban Bible Institute here in Minneapolis. He regularly gets people from different racial and ethnic groups, but especially black and Latino, and friendships develop.
Jarvis: I remember, Glenn, you and I trying to bring on a Hispanic National Facilitator for Mission America, but we found it difficult to secure the funding for Hispanic leadership in a national role. Our brother from CCC had to raise his support. For those of you on the call, how do you get Hispanic leaders into national ministries who could have relationships with other national leaders?
Ivan Gonzales, Chicago: I think you could find it through the PEW Trust or National Leadership Foundation.
Glenn: Ivan, you’re with World Vision? You are one of those leaders who found a platform. How did you come to this position with World Vision?
Ivan: I’m with World Vision and also with our church I’m sorry I missed the first part of the call. There are such different populations. It’s really a “Joseph’s coat of many colors.” I’m 2nd generation Hispanic, went to predominantly white schools, and felt different. In my role, I work with African Americans, Latino and Anglo churches. I’ve been here eleven years, and been given understanding of the kingdom of God being made manifest cross -culturally. I’ve made mistakes; I’m still learning, but there are others like me working in the trenches, creating a cross cultural context for the church. John Perkins and Wayne Gordon started a cross-cultural Christian Community Development conference that I attend and relate to. (CCDA.org)
Glenn: I think one of the things Jarvis is getting at is that it isn’t easy to get that big grant. Pew Trust has done a good job of helping Latino ministries. Pew might be willing to give, but my experience with foundation funding is that it is usually temporary, perhaps three years, but then they expect you to raise the rest.
Caller: If you clearly articulate the vision for that particular… they will make a longer-term investment.
Joe Walsh, Sacramento: I want to remind those of you who were in St. Louis at the meeting, I’ll never forget the young man who came out of the gangs in St. Louis.. He challenged all of us by helping us see that those of us who are part of Christian ministries need to take guys like him and build relationships for him, open the doors for him in the church and business community, provide mentoring. Foundations are good, but we need to take responsibility for our own people, be they Hispanic, Asian, whatever. We are trying to raise funds for ourselves, but we need to open the doors for others as well.
Glenn: I want to remind everyone that these calls happen every month, and next month it will be on Feb. 15.
Jarvis: The person we had hoped to bring on staff, Jorge Romero in Georgia, is now looking at trying to connect with a regional ministry outside of Georgia. He’s Columbian by birth, works cross-culturally, a great, great guy. So if you are interested in seeing how you might connect with a resource like Jorge, send me an email Jarvis@cityreaching.com. If you know of a ministry looking for a gifted, skilled person, he would be great to have.
Glenn: If someone wants to get in touch with you, Dr. Anderson, how would they contact you?
Phone: 888-526-7551 website: www.cfci.org email info@cfci.org
Glenn: Thank you so much, Dr. Anderson, for what you brought to us. There was so much response that this is a topic we will need to re-visit. Ivan Gonzales, would you close us in prayer today?
Closing prayer. __________________________________________________________________
P.S. from Dr. Anderson: It was a pleasure and honor for me to be with you all today on the conference call. Glenn told me that you might be interested in knowing about two books that I recommend people to read. Here they are:
Nida, Eugene, 1974, Understanding Latin Americans. William Carey Library. Still one of the best; should be required reading for all missionaries to Latin American. Nida's insights into the ethos of Latin American religion remains a potent must-read for every one working with Latinos inside and outside the U.S.
Riding, Alan, 1989, Distant Neighbors: A Portrait of the Mexicans. A former Mexico City bureau chief for the New York Times, Riding is a sympathetic, informed observer of the complex changes wracking Mexican society and is especially insightful about the political and economic turbulence and the tension between the Mexican majority and the "Americanized" minority.
I have a larger reading list if people are interested too.
