Reaching Latino kids: What does an Anglo need to know?

Gonzalez, A. (1998, November). Reaching Latino kids: What does an Anglo need to know? Workshop notes loaned to Center for Youth Studies.

OVERVIEW

To white leaders who ask me what it takes to reach Latino young people, I give two answers: "Everything and nothing."

NOTHING
Your concern and call are enough.

• Kids are kids; all have some similar types of issues.
• All respond to genuine love and concern.
• Go, because you have been sent (you are on a mission).

EVERYTHING
You must go as a learner.

• Learn about the culture (cross-cultural sensitivity is necessary for all ministry).
  • Ask questions.
  • Allow those in the culture to teach you (be humble and honor their ways).
  • Formally educate yourself. Read books by Latino authors, watch movies by Latinos about Latinos.
  • Make Latino friends, socialize.

• Recruit Latinos for leadership.
  • Current ministry.
    • Build a leadership team with kids.
    • Select committee members of parents and other adults.
    • Recruit major donors: seek Latino businesses.
    • Develop relationships with parents, parent council.
  • Future Ministry: Plant seeds, begin a legacy; the future is now.
  • Begin training future leaders early; offer them vision, responsibility.
  • Give your position away. Replace yourself.
  • Model for the mission at large.
  • Move on. Repeat the process. Enjoy the fruit.

RESOURCES
BOOKS

• Rain of Gold by Victor Villaseñor.
•  

• Don't Spit On My Corner by Miguel Duran.

VIDEOS
"El Norte," "My Family, Mi Familia," "Stand and Deliver," "Romero," "Zoot Suit."

THEOLOGICAL WORKS
Christ Outside the Gate by Orlando E. Costas, Orbis Books.

• Faces of Jesus-Latin American Christologies edited by Miguez Bonino, Orbis Books.
• Mañana, Christian Theology from A Hispanic Perspective by Justo L. Gonzalez, Abingdon Books.
• The Hispanic Challenge-Opportunities Confronting the Church by Manuel Ortiz, InterVarsity Press (IVP).
•  

• We Drink From Our Own Wells-The Spiritual Journey of a People by Gustavo Guitierrez, Orbis Books

EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP

Evaluate this exercise for you personally. How valuable has been the consideration of these ideas about traditional religions-and their implications for youth ministry?

Dean Borgman cCYS