Introduction: An Exploration of Post-Colonial Themes in the Latino(a) Evangelical Community
Any discussion of the Latino(a) Evangelical Church in North America must begin with an acknowledgment of the fact that such a designation is problematic and somewhat artificial. The term 'Latino(a)' is roughly synonymous with the designation 'Hispanic,' an identifying category added to a the official "racial" taxonomy in 1970 by the United States Census Bureau to 'define the unity of various U.S. communities that have ties to Latin America or with the Spanish-speaking world' (Martinez 15-16, see also Race and Ethnicity). The term 'Latino(a),' however, is preferred by many in the Latino(a) community because of its identification with Latin America (as opposed the association of 'Hispanic' with Spain). For this reason, we will use the term 'Latino(a)' in this Wiki.

A chief difficulty with the term 'Latino(a)' is that its use implies acceptance of racial categorization. In reality, within each socially constructed and scientifically fallacious "[racial] group thus constituted, we find greater distances between one individual and another than between one group and another" (Ashcroft 214). This is no more true than within the Latino(a) community, which includes not only a diversity of individuals but an abundance of different cultures and ethnic groups (Emerson 99). As culturally ambiguous and biologically misleading as the term may be, however, we must accept that concept of race is a significant social phenomenon (Ashcroft 211, see also Race and Ethnicity).

Using the term 'evangelical' with reference with Latinos(as) is equally problematic and potentially misleading. The Spanish word for 'evangelical', 'evangelico,' is nearly synonymous with with the English word 'Protestant' in common usage and is not generally associated with the America Evangelical movement (Martinez 13). The University of Notre Dame's Institute for Latino Studies published a report in 2003 that reveals further challenges along these lines. 77% of Latinos(as) in North America are Roman Catholic. Of the 23% that remain (8.1 million as of 2003), the vast majority are Protestant (85%); among the Protestant Latinos(as), 88% would identify themselves as 'born again' and could be categorized as 'evangelical' (defined below). However, 64% of these theoretically 'evangelical' Latinos(as) identify themselves as Pentecostal or are members of Pentecostal or Charismatic denominations (Elizondo, 15-16). This reality along with the difference in meaning of the terms 'evangelical' and 'evangelico' make identification of an evangelical Latino(a) community difficult. According the above-mentioned study, just over 7% of Latinos(as) in North America could be identified as non-charismatic Evangelicals. When considering the vast variety of worship styles among evangelical congregations (and even within the Roman Catholic Church), the distinction between Evangelical and Pentecostal Latino(a) traditions becomes porous at best.

In spite of the problematic nature of the designation 'Latino(a) Evangelical,' however, it cannot be overlooked that there are a significant number of Latino(a) congregations associated with denominations that would be considered broadly evangelical in its American English usage. Such traditions include: Southern Baptists, American Baptists, The Evangelical Free Church, The Salvation Army, The Seventh-day Adventist Church, certain congregations within mainline traditions (Presbyterian, Lutheran), and other non-denominational evangelical churches. Such congregations will be the focus of our discussion (See Contents Page).

Given the social location of Latinos(as) and the Latino(a) Evangelical Church in North America, we will explore the nature and experience of this community through the lens of a variety of issues and debates within post-colonial studies discourse. We will review and discuss the implications of relevant literature and research and share pertinent stories from members of the Latino Evangelical community. Ultimately, in light of this research, we will seek to share possible dreams for the Latino(a) Evangelical Church. It is our hope that these dreams will be rooted in the authentic experience of the Latino(a) Evangelical community and be in harmony with the dreams that the community has for itself. We recognize that the Latino(a) Evangelical Church is not an object of study, but the subject of mission (Martinez 113) along with the wider body of Christ. And we believe that we will all benefit from a deepening understanding of and partnership with the Latino(a) Evangelical community in the ongoing mission of the Kingdom of God.

Racial Group: Latino(a)
According to research conducted in 2006 by the U.S. Census Bureau , Latinos(as) represent 14.8% of the population in the United States (over 44 million people). This makes Latinos(as) the largest racial minority group in the U.S. As of February of 2008, the Census Bureau predicts that the Latino(a) population will grow to represent 24.4% of the population by 2050.

The growing Latino(a) population will no doubt have profound implications for the future of religious communities in the United States. A 2007 study by the Pew Forum found that 68% of Latinos(as) say that religion is a very important to them as compared to 60% of non-Latino(a) White Americans (Pew Forum 19). Additionally, the great majority of Latinos(as) believe that God is an active force in their lives and pray every day (Pew Forum). These realities portend the possibility for a growing religiosity in in the United States. Moreover, this growing religiosity is likely to reflect the influence of Latino(a) spiritual sensibilities. According to the Pew Forum, more than half of all Latinos(as), Roman Catholic and 'evangelico,' consider themselves to be charismatic. The potential increase in American religiosity, therefore, is likely to be accompanied by a growing charismaticism in Christian worship practice. This reflects a Latino(a) worldview in which "God and the presence of spiritual beings are part of the human experience" (Martinez 57).

Denomination: Evangelical
Defining a broadly accepted meaning for the term 'evangelical' is challenging quite apart from the difficulties arising from its relationship to the Spanish term 'evangelico.' Both the Pew Research Forum and the Institute for Latino Studies defined 'evangelical' broadly for their studies to include all persons who self-identified as 'born again' Christians (Elizondo 16, Pew Forum 6). The etymology of the term can be traced back to the Greek word evangelion, which means 'the gospel' or 'the good news,' and it was first used by Martin Luther ('evangelische' in German) to refer to his breakaway movement (ISAE). The ISAE explains that in contemporary Anglo-American use, it finds it origins in the revival movements of the 18th and 19th Centuries, led by George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards, Charles Finney, other revivalist preachers. The movement has come to be associated with four 'hallmarks of evangelical religion: conversionism, the belief that lives need to be changed; activism, the expression of the gospel in effort; biblicism, a particular regard for the Bible; and crucicentrism, a stress on the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.' In more recent history, the term has been a 'self-ascribed label' for a movement of Protestant Christians who identified neither with liberal Christian theology nor the fundamentalist movement of the 1920s and 1930s (ISAE).


One of the most important organizations in the American Evangelical community is the National Association of Evangelicals. Their statement of faith reflects the four 'hallmarks' mentioned above is consistent with the core theological convictions of the the Latino(a) Evangelical tradition as we are defining it here. Our working definition of 'Latino(a) Evangelical Church,' then, refers to those Latino(a) congregations who are associated theologically and historically with the American Evangelical Movement. In doing this, we do not wish to communicate that such an imported inscription is ideal but merely that it reflects a reality that does exist. Ultimately, as the 'evangelico' church (in the broader Spanish sense) continues to expand its indigenous incarnations of Christian mission and increasingly becomes the subject of mission, the hope is that a relationship with the American Evangelical movement will be maintained so that we might all benefit from a shared wisdom and experience.

Protestant mission among Latinos(as) did not begin until after the civil war, when Protestants began working among the Mexicans in the Southwest who had become U.S. citizens (Martinez 33). As more recent specifically Evangelical mission continues to expand among and alongside a growing Latino(a) population, we envisage the possibility and hope that mission will expand in all directions, and that the American Evangelical Church and, more importantly, the Kingdom of God might be enriched by the unique perspective and gifts of the Latino(a) Evangelical Church in North America.


Region of the World: United States of America
Although it would be difficult to overstate the importance of the Catholic and 'evangelico' Church in Latin-America, our focus in this Wiki is on the Latino(a) Evangelical Church in North America (and specifically, the United States of America). Continued immigration has contributed to population growth in the Latino(a) community that accounts for over half of the total U.S. population growth since 2000 (Pew Hispanic Center). The influence of broader Latin-American culture will no doubt continue to be significant in the United States. The scope of this Wiki, however, will be limited to the Latino(a) Evangelical Church in the U.S. in its current varied and fluid expressions.


References