I became involved in Hispanic ministry when Marcos Garcia, a graduate of FEA’s Hispanic Institute, joined our ministry team in June 2000. He came by faith with no promise of salary or support. A fledgling inner city ministry, we had no place to house him and no money to pay him. My wife worked at the Union Bible College bookstore in exchange for Marcos’ room and board in the men’s dorm that first year.
The first Sunday after Marcos arrived, we pulled up in Willard Park on East Washington Street in Indianapolis and I introduced him to his “congregation” – two homeless Hispanic men sitting at a picnic table. From that humble beginning, Marcos developed it into a vibrant, healthy, self-sustaining congregation as he worked, discipled, prayed, and led the congregation for the next 16 years. It was a privilege to serve with him for several years as pastor of our sister English congregation in Indianapolis, Victory Chapel.
For several years, Hispanics have accounted for nearly half of the total increase in population of the United States each year. Talk with anyone from Georgia to Kansas and you will find that a large number of Hispanics have been moving into their neighborhoods. I have talked with many individuals and churches that are interested in starting a ministry to Hispanics. I know of at least three locations presently where a Hispanic congregation could be planted, except for one little detail – an equipped leader with the proper paperwork. Even with the backing of Evangelistic Faith Missions and going through all of the proper processes, a pastor and his family brought from Guatemala to pastor with our ministry in Stamford, CT, was forced to return when the government refused to renew his religious worker visa. The current immigration system makes getting qualified leaders from abroad nearly impossible.
As Christians, we abide by the laws of the land, whether in China or Chicago; the powers that be are ordained of God. But we also recognize a higher law – the law of love. While the government can and will make the rules of the land, we are called as Christians to love our neighbors as ourselves – even if our neighbor is an undocumented Hispanic immigrant. Sharing the love of Christ, treating him as someone who matters to God, should mean that we are creating communities of faith that welcome these neighbors even when it may not be popular or politically correct.
At a recent Spanish church rally, there were over 175 people from eight different countries. Each country group (and family) brings different cultural practices, foods, and even words (even though they all speak Spanish.) Building a church in the middle of such a transient and diverse population is challenging to say the least. But over the past few years, Marcos and other leaders like him have stayed focused on making disciples, and they have been incredibly successful!
Pastor Edy was installed as pastor in May 2017 at the church in Indianapolis when Marcos moved to Frankfort, IN, to pastor another church. Edy and his wife, Nancy, have been saved just a few short years, but they have grown into exemplary Christian leaders. How has our Hispanic ministry in the U.S. developed such leaders? They take the Gospel seriously. From days of prayer and fasting to late night prayer services that may last until 1:30am, they seek God whole-heartedly.
While some may see the immigration issue as a threat, I see Hispanic ministry as an opportunity. The mission field has come home, and you no longer need a passport to reach it. You may just need to learn Spanish.
The Gathering at Victory Acres 