Have you ever watched MythBusters?
MythBusters is a popular science television program which uses various experts to to test the validity of rumors, myths, questions, movie scenes, Internet videos and news stories in popular culture. Some of their episodes have included:
- Can sticking your finger in a gun barrel stop a bullet?
- Do pyramids have special powers?
- Does a rolling stone gather moss?
- Is yawning contagious?
In this Issue I want to address a question, myth, rumor, that I hear all the time as I travel: Aren't all Hispanics Catholic? Click on the articles at the right to read further.
God's Blessings, R Paige Mathews, Director of Development |
| Students in Nebraska
Pastor Schlak visits personally ... |
The numbers of students who participate in LHMI classes via the  Internet continues to increase significantly. We have students from several different States in North America, and at least four countries in South America.
Since August, a dozen students in Nebraska have been participating in the class on Evangelism taught by Sue Lozano. Recently Rev Richard K Schlak, Executive Director for the Institute, was able to travel to  Nebraska to visit with some of these students in person. Rev Schlak was able to provide words of encouragement and onsite guidance as well as attend church services and fellowship meals.
We hope you will help us expand our Internet student participation by spreading the news of this opportunity and helping us make the required technology available. |
| Fall Class Schedule
Plan to attend in person or online ... |
The Bible and the Hispanic Family - Rev. Juan Hormachea
One-week intensive: October 26-30, 2009
Every day, 9:00 am - 12:00 noon
New Testament Missions - Rev. Richard Schlak
8-week class: Nov. 9, 2009 - Jan. 14, 2010
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 10:30 am - 12:00 noon
Principles of Biblical Interpretation - Rev. Richard Schlak
8-week class: Nov. 9, 2009 - Jan. 14, 2010
Monday, 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Preaching - Rev. Richard Schlak
8-week class: Nov. 9, 2009 - Jan. 14, 2010
Wednsday, 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Church Planting Workshop - professor TBA
One-week intensive: January 25-30, 2010
Every day, 9:00 am - 12:00 noon |
| A LITTLE HELP PLEASE!
Forward this email ... |
 I am confident that you know people who have a love for, or a concern for, Hispanic Mission. We are looking to expand our list of people who receive regular updates regarding our ministry. Would you help us by forwarding this email to those whom you believe would have an interest? They will have the opportunity to accept or reject participation. Thank you very much!
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For additional information regarding the contents of this newsletter and/or the work of the Institute, please feel free to contact me:
Sincerely,
R Paige Mathews, Director of Development
915.790.2300
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| MythBusters |
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As I travel across the United States representing the work of the Lutheran Hispanic Missionary Institute, the most frequent question I hear is, "Aren't all Hispanics Catholic?" This is actually a myth, and my concern is, that the more people buy into this thinking, the less they will be inclined to reach out with the Gospel of Christ.
The truth is, Religious Researcher George Barna found, in a study that he conducted in 2001, that Hispanic identification with the Catholic Church was decreasing significantly. He wrote, in an article entitled "The Faith of Hispanics Is Shifting", January 3, 2001, that "the faith of the Hispanic population is steadily shifting from its traditional Catholic-oriented spirituality to a more diverse spiritual hybrid." He went on to say that "as recently as one decade ago, two-thirds of all Hispanic adults (68%) said the church they attended most frequently was Catholic; today that proportion is down to just half (53%)." When that figure gets updated in the next study, the percentage is predicted to be even lower. Furthermore, some may claim that Hispanics are "Culturally Catholic", however, Barna goes on to say that "pop culture is affecting their faith views more than their beliefs are impacting their lifestyle choices."
So, the next time you consider whether evangelism and mission to our Hispanic Population is worth the time and effort, forget the myth and embrace the truth. The angels in Heaven will rejoice over each one you bring into the Kingdom!
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