Preacher’s Study Notes 1993
First, I assume we are referring to Americans, meaning North Americans, working toward the conversions of the Hispanics. The reason I am clarifying this point is because I believe there is a difference between Americans working with Hispanics and Hispanics working with Hispanics. I think this will become apparent from what I have to say concerning my experiences working among the Hispanics in San Antonio, Texas.
I question the use of the word “minority” when referring to a certain class of people when we speak of the evangelism of the New Testament. Everyone should have the right to hear the gospel. Christ commissioned His disciples to make disciples of all nations and to preach the good news to all creation (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16). The New Testament does not say that the apostles on the day of Pentecost preached the gospel to the minorities, but that they preached to “God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven” (Acts 2:5). The Scriptures do not call the man to whom Philip taught the gospel of Christ a minority (Acts 8:27). We are to view all men alike, for Peter said, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right” (Acts 10:34-35) It does not matter what language they speak, the color of their skin, or their social and ethnic background. However, language, social, and ethnic background sometimes poses some difficult problems in trying to reach them with the gospel.
The Language Barrier
There is one absolute necessity in reaching the Hispanics with the gospel of Christ. Faith and obedience to the gospel are essentials for the salvation of every individual. Paul said, “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). It becomes apparent from this verse that communication is an absolute necessity in one’s conversion. One cannot be saved without understanding the gospel and then responding to it with obedience. Therefore, one must be able to read the Scriptures for oneself or be able to hear the gospel preached in either his/her own language or a language he/she understands. Without this essential ability to comprehend the gospel, it would be impossible for the person to be saved.
The problem that confronts most Americans in teaching Hispanics is their inability to speak Spanish. We must change our thinking that everyone must learn English if they wish to communicate with us. This one obstacle, language, would be eliminated if all Hispanics spoke English, or if all Americans spoke Spanish. However, this solution would be unrealistic. Many Hispanics speak only Spanish, and many of those who speak both Spanish and English prefer to discuss spiritual matters in the language they feel most comfortable. This, of course, is their native language — Spanish. The only way around this obstacle, that I can see, is for the Americans to learn Spanish, or for the Hispanics to learn English (if they do not know it). Even if Hispanics do understand English, they must be convinced to use that language to comprehend the divine truths of the gospel (if the Americans do not speak and understand Spanish). I might add that I know of no easy way to overcome the language barrier. It, very simply, requires time and hard work to learn a language well enough to be able to convert the sinner from the error of his ways.
While trying to overcome the language problem, these questions are sometimes asked: How well can we communicate with them in their language? How well can they communicate with us in our language? When are we prepared enough to begin a work
among the Hispanics? These may seem to be needless questions, but some tried to discourage me from going to Honduras to begin the work there, because I was not proficient enough, according to them, in the Spanish language. However, even being less than perfect, one can accomplish many things. If one could be perfect in all things, then even more could be accomplished. I do not believe there will come a time when we will not be able to find some excuse for not beginning a work. There will always be some area where we need more improvement or development. Please do not go away with the idea that I am advocating that we do not have to try to improve our inadequate skills, or that we do not have to strive to acquire the skills we lack.
Any work that we choose to do, whether among the Hispanics or other peoples, must be approached realistically. We must begin by counting the cost of what it will take to do the work and bring it to a successful conclusion. But when we have laid the best foundation, plans, and preparation that we can, it is then time to act. If we act prematurely, the results of the work may not be what we expected. On the other hand, if we to continue, to wait or procrastinate nothing will be accomplished. All I am saying is that we should use what we have to the very best of our ability. I do not believe the Lord expects any less or any more from us.
We should realize that most Americans will never be able to communicate perfectly with the Hispanics and that most Hispanics will never be able to communicate perfectly with Americans. Communication is more than a simple exchange of words. It means understanding culture or manner of life, as well as language. In order to communicate, we must not only understand the words of their language, but we should have some knowledge of their culture as well. I believe that most Hispanics feel that Americans do not understand them or their problems; and most Americans feel that Hispanics do not try to understand them, either.
What then are we to do? If we wait until these skills are attained and fully developed, we will probably still be waiting when the Lord returns. We must start now doing the best we can with what we have. Some may criticize because everything is not perfect. However I am of the opinion that the Lord expects us to use what we have to the best of our abilities.
My Experiences Among Hispanics in San Antonio
Let me tell you of some of my experiences while endeavoring to work with the Hispanics in San Antonio Texas. The majority of the people that I have dealt with are Catholics, and they, for the most part, claim to be strong in their faith. This finding should not be surprising because most of the Hispanic world is Catholic, at least in name. However most of the ones I have dealt with are not strong Catholics but they use this as a ploy in order to turn you away. Indeed, the majority I have encountered have little interest in spiritual matters.
Those who have been converted by the gospel of Christ and have remained faithful in San Antonio are those who have been sincerely searching for what they had not been able to find elsewhere: Truth. There are many people not satisfied with what they have found in Denominationalism They are seeking for the pure and simple truth. They have not come to our services because they were looking for a grand or convenient place to assemble nor for a large congregation. They have come looking for the simplicity that Christ ordained in the New Testament. The problem is: How do we find those who are sincerely looking for the Truth in the midst of those who are content to live as they choose or those only looking for a handout? There are very few who are really seeking the Truth. I do not have the answer or solution to this problem aside from the fact that we must continue to search for them by whatever means we have available to us.
The people who have shown the most interest in San Antonio are the very poor. However, many come not because they are poor, but they often come to the church because of ulterior motives. Some come looking for money, jobs, clothes, food, letters of introduction, etc. They believe that by being a member of the church or simply attending the church that it will provide them with food, shelter, clothes, job, etc. Once many of them have realized that this is not the primary function of the church, they have usually taken flight in search of their utopia elsewhere.
Another difficulty that I have experienced in San Antonio is that there are many illegal aliens living there. San Antonio is located near the border with Mexico. It is the first stop for many illegal aliens as they make their way north, oftentimes in search of jobs and a better way of life. I do not believe that anyone finds a problem with a person looking for a better way of life. However, one must keep in mind that they are illegal aliens, and, therefore, that very fact alone poses some problems. I have found they are usually very suspicious of many Americans, thus refusing to allow the Americans to develop a close relationship with them, something necessary in order to be effective in showing them the way of salvation. Some have the fear you may turn them over to the INS or that you yourself may be an INS official. I have also found that many of those who are not illegal aliens actually condone the inflow of illegals. They are sometimes reluctant to open up to an American because they fear that they themselves may get into trouble. Therefore, I have found many doors of opportunity closed because of this problem.
Another complication that I have found is that many come to the United States in order to find work. Thus, if their main objective is work, then all other matters are relegated to second place in their lives. Many are very worldly minded so the material takes precedent over the spiritual. Drinking and partying occupies a good part of their time when they are not working. Therefore, many of those who have responded to the gospel do not take seriously their commitment to Christ. Many will choose to miss the assembly of the church because of their jobs.
The majority of the Hispanics that I have found in the San Antonio area are from Mexico. Since San Antonio is located close to the Mexican border, it is easy for them to go back and forth to Mexico if their papers are in order. It is difficult to try to keep up with so much transition among them. They normally do not consider the United States their home anymore than we would consider any other country our home. Their first responsibility is to their homeland. The Hispanics, as a whole, are very family oriented. The family and family reunions are sometimes more important to them than the church. They constantly make trips back and forth to Mexico in order to visit relatives or take care of some family matter. It is difficult to keep up with those who are members of the church in order to know if they are attending services while in Mexico. It is difficult just to keep in contact, and often next to impossible to conduct studies with those who are not members of the church.
Reaching Out to Hispanics
How can we make our congregations more welcoming to those who show interest the church? First of all, if we have prejudice against certain individuals or particular groups of people, these prejudices must be put aside. Everyone should be greeted and welcomed equally. The individual should be made to feel that he/she is genuinely welcome. One of the easiest and simplest things we can do for those who come and speak only Spanish is to give them some literature or tracts in Spanish. I believe that every congregation should have literature on hand in Spanish. (The reason that I am mentioning Spanish is because it pertains to my topic, but it should not be limited only to Spanish.) We never know when someone who only speaks Spanish will come to one of our services. Even though in many congregations no one would be able to speak to them in Spanish, they could give them some literature about the church in their own language. Also, get their name and complete address so they could continue to receive more material in Spanish, for instance the Spanish paper that we publish, El Pregonero Latino. I would like to, say a little more about this paper.
I feel that one of the most successful endeavors that I have had a part of is the publishing of a paper in Spanish. One of the problems that we have faced for years is the lack of printed material in Spanish for members of the church, as well as for those who are interested in the church who speak only Spanish. The Spanish paper, El Pregonero Latino, has taken some of the writings of our brethren and made them accessible to others who speak Spanish. The success of this work cannot be attributed to one individual, but it has only been made possible through the work and cooperation of many, several of whom are here at this study. The benefit of this work is not confined to one geographical area, but it includes almost all of the Spanish-speaking areas of the world.
The paper has also been the means for advertising and distributing tracts. Thousands of tracts have been sent to those interested in hearing and studying the gospel of Christ. More than 2,000 tracts have been sent out just during the month of December. There have been requests for tracts and correspondence courses from South America, Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico, Spain, and the United States.
The results of this work have been tremendous. Not only has it helped fill a gap in the lack of printed material in Spanish, but two preachers and a congregation in Mexico were convinced to leave the innovations that have invaded the church over the years and take their stand on the Truth and return to the Bible pattern of worship. We have also received several invitations to come and study with people. We praise God for these wonderful results.
7446 Saddlewood St., San Antonio, IX 78238-2151
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