HOUSTON (ABP) — God is calling Hispanic Baptists to overcome the “giants” of poverty, lack of education and ingrained religious traditions in their communities, a seminary professor told a Texas group.
Speaking at the Baptist General Convention of Texas' Hispanic Evangelism Conference Feb. 4-6, Juan Martinez, director of Hispanic church studies at Fuller Theological Seminary near Los Angeles, said many Hispanic Baptists feel like the Israelites did just before they entered Canaan. The Israelites faced many challenges to conquering the land and were scared to try invading it. They saw the Canaanites as “giants,” while they viewed themselves as “grasshoppers,” Martinez said.
Similarly, contemporary Hispanic Baptists view many “giants” facing their churches and begin doubting they can have a large effect on their communities, he said. Hispanics see a lack of education, funds and leadership as challenges that prevent growth of ministries.
But like God did with the Israelites, he can deliver Hispanic Baptists through their challenges, Martinez said. God is calling Hispanic Texas Baptists to “go forward without looking back.
“I believe right now there are people here that will lead big ministries because they followed God,” Martinez said.
Going forward means growing large churches, having trained ministers and sending missionaries around the world, the professor continued. He pointed to churches throughout Central and South America that already have grown extensive ministries that are reaching their communities and the world as examples of what God could do in Texas.
Gus Reyes, consultant in the BGCT's Center for Strategic Evangelism, said he already sees Hispanics responding to that call. They are seeing the need for more Hispanic churches in the state and filling that void. Eighty-five of the 176 congregations started through the BGCT's Church Multiplication Center in 2004 were Hispanic.
Young Hispanics are taking an increased interest in leading churches, Reyes noted. Two years ago, a large group of younger Hispanics committed to leading congregations during the BGCT gathering for Hispanic youth and singles. They want to serve wherever God calls them.
“Our youth are very desirous,” Reyes said. “They're very much like other youth. They want to go.”
This can have a global effect, Reyes continued. Hispanics have much in common with those living in the “10-40 Window” along the Equator — the area of the world where the least number of evangelical Christians reside. Both groups have a similar culture, appearance and family values. Hispanics could be successful evangelizing in this region if they are mobilized.
“Missiologists tell us the people that are going to reach into that window [are] Hispanics,” he said.
To continue following this movement, Martinez said Hispanics must look past the challenges and lean on God. Then ministries will develop, large Hispanic churches will form, communities will be transformed and believers will spread the gospel around the world.
“How much money do we need to send a missionary?” Martinez asked rhetorically. “Don't ask the wrong question. What we need is vision.”