I. STATISTICS

*Approximately 50 million Hispanics in USA (13% of population)

*10 times the growth rate of Anglos

*Predicted to be the largest population in 20-25 years

*$700 Billion in purchasing power

*12.2 million of which are Christians (75% unchurched)

*70% Catholics/ 10% Pentecostals/ 20% no affiliation

*Hispanics represent 40% of all Catholics in US

*90% will have no relationship with Christ

* U.S. born more likely to leave the Catholic church

*median age 26 vs. white protestants 55

*church growth outpacing decline of Anglos

Culture:

*Relationships are the greatest evangelical tool.

*Second generation will attend and worship in English

Quote: “A God we can experience and feel, not just talk about.”-protestant Hispanic

*10+ years minimum time required to impact at social level

*Leadership must be developed from within (young Hispanics)

II. THE CHALLENGE:

*The population growth also has its ills…

*Fastest growing -High School drop out rate

-Teen pregnancy rate

-Jail population

-Social poverty

-Crime

Why are our churches failing at reaching them?

“It’s a matter of B.L.O.O.D.” - A. Velis

* Belonging (or bastard child)

“I am here, you know it, yet you resent it.”

* Love

“You are polite, but you don’t love me”-Lack of a social gospel

* Others

“I don’t look like others”-Low sense of self worth, due to North American standards of beauty and status.

* Onderstand (for my mother Olga)

America cannot empathize with the sufferings of our immigrants

* Different

Cultural barriers in language, customs, traditions and lifestyles

Click Here to Learn More about B.L.O.O.D.

III. WHAT CAN WE DO?

* Pray to know the love of Christ. We need to have compassion. (Isaiah 62 & Matthew 25)

* Obey-love thy neighbor. (Good Samaritan)

* Equip & Send (Matthew 28) Disciple young urban leaders.

Program Ideas

* Relational (Go where they are) Plant one or two disciples in a community, with a long-term plan. (ie: missionary)

* ESOL Welcome them to “your” house (“It’s not about language”) 3-5 year plan

* Youth Integration A Dynamic, intentional outreach (they need outlets)

* Social Gospel Go into the communities not with charity, but with LOVE relationships (ie: Jesus)

* Mentor Programs one-on-one Adult-Youth relationships

* Partnering Youth-youth relationships (ministry of reciprocal integration)

* Tutoring Help eager students have a fair chance

* Sports Leagues Support leagues, teams, etc. (they lack the facilities & finances)