Pilgrimage, Promised Land, and the Latinos in the USA
By Drs. Leo and Carmen Rodríguez
“You saw what God did in the wilderness, He carried you as a father carries his child, carried you the whole way until you arrived here.” (Deuteronomy 1:30)
Life as a Fiesta. Singing, dancing faith that transcends temples and even organized religion. Generous, sacrificial giving. Extended community and family!
Hispanics…or, like some call them, Latinos.
With a population increase of almost 30 percent in the past decade, making a total of 55 million, with a purchasing power of a trillion dollars, and the projection that the Latino population will triple to reach 130 million by mid-century, thus becoming one third of the total population of the United States of America, we, The United Methodist Church, have a unique and exciting challenge ahead.
The proportion of young Latinos/Hispanics is awesome. In California, 51 percent of the children under 18 are Latino, while in Nevada it is 40 percent, and in Texas, 48 percent.
Latinos are two-thirds or 65 percent in Texas, while in California, Latinos accounted for 90 percent. Texas won seats in Congress, while California had lost seats if it were not for Latinos themselves.
But Latinos are number one in more than one area. As of July 2003, the Latino community became the largest minority in the United States, with 39.9 million, making up 13 percent of the population.
Latinos also have the highest birth rate. In 2000, the birth rate for Latinos was 96 children per 1,000 children born compared with 69 children in the case of people of color and 57 in the group of whites.
We also have higher teenage pregnancy rates. The teenage pregnancy rate is 69 Latinas on 1,000 cases, compared to the national average.
We are the people with the youngest average age. The average age of Latinos in the United States is only 25 years, compared to the average age of African Americans of 30 years and 38 in the white population. There are about 15.2 million Hispanics under the age of 18 in this country.
Hispanic Heritage Month, which started Sept. 15 and runs through Oct. 15, and the opportunities to accompany Hispanics, offer them Christ, and learn from them are limitless!
Churches wanting to reach out to Hispanics in their communities can do many things. We are 19 Republics, Puerto Rico and Spain. More than simply learning some Spanish language words, the real challenge is to intentionally dive into their culture!
It actually begins by valuing their cultures at their tables, your table, or God’s Table at Church. Churches can also hands-on explore as observant-participants, the richness, depth and the diversity of their faith.
Some ideas during this month and throughout the year are to celebrate Spanish-language worship services, sing bilingual hymns, begin an English-as-a-second language ministry -- and Spanish classes for those visionary English-speaking people in the church.
The Office of Vibrant Communities in the Baltimore-Washington Conference, through the Office of the Coordinator of Hispanic Ministries, is here to listen, give ideas, and accompany churches feeling the passion to reach out to and grow with Hispanics.
One thing is important: be ready to be impacted, challenged, nurtured and surprised by God as you serve Hispanics!
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