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The HCAPL project shows 74 percent of Hispanics favor assisting illegal immigrants even when such help is illegal; 60 percent support school vouchers; and 70 percent support prayer in schools (the figure is lower among the general population; 60 percent disagree with the statement that "school prayer violates the Constitution," according to a recent survey by Public Agenda).

Canales says he led a "very special program" at Fuller, training from 45 to 60 pastors every year, from every denomination and 12 Latino cultures, and graduating 25 every commencement. The opportunity at labi, however, means directing a program with more people (2001 enrollment: 1,643 students) at more teachable ages. "At LABI, I am to make a greater impact on the younger generation, steering them toward higher education at a younger age, training them in a solid Pentecostal setting, and sending them out believing they can conquer the world," Canales says.

Moves by Hispanic leaders of Canales's stature are strategic in light of the census findings. Hispanics under 18 make up 35 percent of all Latinos, while in the overall U.S. population, 25 percent are under 18. More likely to be bilingual and bicultural, young Hispanics should be highly sought by any churches seeking to build Hispanic leadership into their ministry or work.

Working to include Hispanics both young and old in mainstream as well as Spanish-speaking churches, denominational and other Christian leaders can help fulfill a biblical vision of the future. As Scudieri of the LCMS says, "We want to begin doing those things that in 50 years will benefit the denomination. That means a Lutheran church that looks more like the United States looks, or, better yet, like heaven as revealed in Revelation 7:9"—where before Christ stands a "great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language."

Rodolpho Carrasco is associate director of Harambee Christian Family Center (www.harambee.org) in Pasadena, California.

Copyright © 2001 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

2000 Census information and results are available online on a state-by-state basis.

The Hispanic Churches in American Public Life (HCAPL) research project is a three-year study funded by a $1.3 million grant from The Pew Charitable Trusts. The project seeks to examine the impact of religion on political and civic engagement in the Latino community.

The United Methodist Church's National Plan for Hispanic Ministry aims to empower the creation and strengthening of faith communities and local congregations.

According to Crosswalk.com, of the more than 27 million Hispanics in the United States, 6.2 million are Protestant.

Writer Rodolpho Carrasco is associate director of Harambee Christian Family Center.

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November 12 2001, Vol. 45, No. 14