ARLINGTON, Texas -- Anglo Christians who want to reach Hispanics with the gospel must show respect for their culture, according to Gus Reyes, ethnic evangelism consultant with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

Hispanic culture values hierarchy, titles and formality. Mainstream Anglo culture in the United States is more egalitarian and informal, Reyes told those gathered for the Texas Evangelism Conference Jan. 27-28, according to the Associated Baptist Press.

A pastor visiting an Anglo family might dress informally, call members of the host family by their first names, and invite them to address him by his first name, Reyes said. But a Hispanic family would interpret the lack of formality as a lack of respect, and they would feel ill at ease calling a minister by his first name.

First-generation Hispanics, in particular, "see Anglos as being slaves to time," he said, and they want no part of that bondage.

"The Hispanic person won't say it, but he's thinking, ‘Don't look at your watch when you visit me. If you are in a hurry, you don't have time for me. Don't even bother,'" Reyes said.

"Be flexible. Relationships are more important than starting on time. The party begins when we get there, and it usually lasts longer than you expect."

While mainstream Anglo culture values individualism and independence, Hispanic culture is "one for all and all for one," he said.

The appropriate question to ask in greeting an Anglo may be, "How are you?" But Reyes said the right question to ask a Hispanic is "How is your family?" And in the Hispanic culture, that means the extended family.