NEW YORK -- The United Methodist Church (UMC) plans to increase its mission efforts among the United States' growing Hispanic population, much of which is currently unchurched.
Since its creation in 1992, the National Plan for Hispanic Ministries has established hundreds of faith programs and placed 32 missionaries within regional conferences, according to the United Methodist News Service. Full-time coordinators of Hispanic ministry now work in 25 UMC conferences.
"Most (Hispanics) are unchurched," said the Rev. Eli Rivera, the plan's staff coordinator. "We believe that if we address people at their need level…these people will respond. We need to offer an alternative."
The plan calls for lay people to meet with Hispanics in their homes and neighborhoods, using that contact to develop small faith communities. Lay missioners and pastor mentor teams are trained for the work.
The plan's name will change when presented to the 2004 General Conference to include Hispanics and Latinos.
