by Kristen Lindsey(Our Mission Fulflled WMU)
“He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 10:18–19, ESV)
José just wanted a better life for him and his family. Can you blame him? He was living in a very poor country known more for its corrupt government than for job possibilities. The little work that was available was somehow connected to the local drug lords. José lived with his aging parents and siblings, and knew that soon his parents would need more medical care. He felt desperate. So after many years of struggling, he decided to enter into the United States—illegally. José did not want to leave his family but did so because he needed to provide for them. What would you do if you had been in his shoes?
Most of the time, when non–Hispanics hear about “illegals” or see Hispanics in our neighborhoods, whether they have come legally or not, our prejudices rise to the surface. Thus, we place a barrier between “them” and “us.” A prejudice is a “preconceived judgment or opinion” or “an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, group or race.”
But whatever our views are on immigration, as Christians and as a church we are called to minister to all people—to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the people around us in the name of Jesus Christ.
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”(James 2:14–17, ESV)
The Hispanic community in the United States has grown rapidly over the past several decades and is still growing. While many American churches have planted Hispanic churches and have reached out to the larger Hispanic community, there is still a lot of work to be done in the way of prejudices and racism toward Hispanics.
The first step in crossing this bridge is getting to know the person and putting oneself into that person’s shoes. What if it were me? How would I want to be treated? This is what we should do with anyone we may hold prejudices toward. As we get to know someone, that person begins to mean something to us. Once someone means something to us, then we begin to have a vested interest in that individual.
A second step is to pray for them. Pray for specific individuals as well as the larger Hispanic community. Pray that God will take away your prejudices and replace them with compassion and mercy for His people.
Here are some practical ways we can reach Hispanics in our community for Christ.
First, open your home for a meal. Sitting together at the table and sharing a meal is something that is essential to Hispanic culture. When you do this with them, they feel as if they are part of your family.
Second, if you speak Spanish or if you know someone who speaks Spanish, be available to translate for them, especially in medical settings. I have heard people say on more than one occasion that if Hispanics are going to come here then they need to learn English. The fact of the matter is that most Hispanics want to learn English; however, learning a new language is difficult. You try it. It’s not easy. Trying to communicate with a Hispanic in his or her language—Spanish—communicates that you care and you want to know him or her.
Third, help them to obtain work and to learn English. Like José, so many Hispanics need an opportunity to provide for their families in an honorable way. Show them the love of Christ by helping them to learn English, so that they can have a better chance in American culture.
I fell in love with the Hispanic culture during my teenage years after my parents took my sister and me on missions trips to the Texas/Mexico border and later to Mexico. On March 13, I will be marrying a Hispanic—a godly man who moved from the Dominican Republic to the United States, became an American citizen, and found Christ in America.
Not all Hispanics are the same. Not all are here illegally. But all Hispanics are people whom God has created—people with whom He wants to have a relationship. Get real with yourself. What prejudices might you have toward the Hispanics in your neighborhood or in your city? What prejudices are keeping you from sharing the gospel and ministering to the Hispanic community in your backyard? Ask God to change your heart so that you might be part of God’s work among Hispanics.
Which José will you be reaching out to this week?
* Some of the suggestions above have grown out of years of ministering to Hispanics. In addition, my understanding of how to minister to the Hispanic community has been enriched by conversations with my soon-to-be husband.
Vaughn Forest and Eastern Hills Baptist churches have outreach groups to Hispanics. Several chruches and ministries are reaching the Indigenous Mexican Indian tribe-the Mixtecs.
If you speak Spanish or have a heart for reaching Latinos for Christ, call these churches OR Lisa Rose at 334-271-6794 or email her at lrose@mgmbaptist.org
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