“He [Jesus] said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation’” (Mark 16:15 NIV).
God’s Word invites us to respond to the call to proclaim his gospel. It presents God’s plan to reconcile man to himself and show his glory to all nations. So, believers engaged in the church are God’s instruments to carry out this allocation.
The church must take ownership of this responsibility, individually and collectively spreading seeds of faith in the world.
The United States of America has become an extraordinary missionary force, especially in the second half of the twentieth century. Numerous preachers born in this great nation decided to leave the comfort of their homes and move with their families to different latitudes and longitudes of the world, including the countries of Latin America.
Missionary contributions
It should be noted some missionaries went to the field only obeying God’s call. I remember some who came to Costa Rica with few resources, supported only by their faith and their local churches. These missionaries emulated Father Abraham, who, left his land leaving everything to obey God’s voice.
As I traveled with these ministers, I asked myself: What is the force that makes the ministers move? Why do they sacrifice their lives, family and finances? Why do they not complain about the heat, the many discomforts or the lack of our people?
Amid those challenges, these men were shaped by God’s presence. It seems that God sometimes mobilizes the masses to fulfill his divine purposes.
Examples of mission in Latin America
I want to highlight the Christian love shown by American missionaries in Costa Rica during the 80s. I remember teachers, evangelists and pastors who, with great willingness, shared the Word in various communities, even in dangerous and rural areas. The passion and the spiritual strength of these servants left deep imprints on the hearts of the believers. Likewise, many of them were sent by God to take the gospel to the Caribbean islands and to South America including remote places such as the Amazon jungles.
Immigration and divine purpose
The Bible tells stories of immigrants led by God. Joseph’s forced immigration contributed to Egypt’s preservation, and Ruth’s arrival in the land of the Hebrews placed her in the genealogy of Jesus. Moses’ flight into the wilderness resulted in the deliverance of the people of Israel.
Similarly, the current migration of Latin Americans to the United States has a divine purpose. Statistics predict that by 2050, one of every four people in the United States will be Hispanic, with a total population that will exceed 100 million.[1]
Impact of migration on the Hispanic faith
The phenomenon of migration has grown in recent decades. From ancient times men have been mobilized in search of work and improved opportunities, others move to meet with their relatives or study. There is another large group that flees from conflicts and persecution, including terrorism, war, rape or abuse of human rights.[2]
Today there are many people from Latin America moving to the United States in search of a better quality of life. On their journey, many believe in Jesus and are called by God.
The challenge of the contemporary Latino church in the United States
“The challenge for the Latino Evangelical Church in the United States is to understand the community diversity and acculturation factors, and then to see how to improve in the context of ministry.”[3]
This is not a new challenge; it is current and growing. Immigrants arriving in the United States need to know the message of salvation. Therefore, the church needs to train workers who understand the community’s needs, which is culturally diverse, in need of God’s grace and love.
Many of us had no plans to settle in this nation, but in God’s mysterious plans, we have migrated and have been planted here. We should see this as an opportunity to give back what we have received from those missionaries.
Responding to the mission call
As Hispanic-Latino people, we must respond to the missiological demands in the United States with strength and passion. We can proclaim the gospel without fear and enrich God’s work with our linguistic and cultural diversity.
In addition, Spanish-speaking believers have become a motivation for the Anglo-Saxon brethren for the following reasons:
- They enjoy broad and deep family ties which help the church in filial love, spiritual and numerical growth.
- They enjoy spiritual disciplines and promote them in the centers of adoration.
- Many are being trained for ministry and opening churches in different states of the nation.
- Some have not stayed in the “status quo,” rather they have jumped to get academic and ministerial degrees. That knowledge enriches the ministerial actions of the church.
In conclusion, it is necessary to thank our Anglo-Saxon brothers and sisters for opening their doors and showing us hospitality. Likewise, we must raise our gaze and, as said by the Lord, Unleash the power of the Kingdom, since the fields “are ripe for harvest” (John 4:35).
For more information on resources and coaching related to pursuing diaspora (immigrant) ministry, visit Wesleyan.org/wdn.
Rev. Antonio Jose Barboza is pastor of Iglesia Wesleyana El Buen Samaritano in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
[1] Martínez & Scott, Iglesias Peregrinas en Busca de Identidad, 2004.
[3] Martinez & Scott, Iglesias Peregrinas en Busca de Identidad, 2004.
