Hispanic youth ministers look beyond 'American dream'

By Jesse Lyautey

SENEGAL, West Africa (BP)--Angel Henriquez and Peter Vigil respect the sacrifices their parents made for them.

"Since we're second generation [Hispanics], our parents came [to America] wanting to give their kids a better life," says Henriquez, the 24-year-old youth director of Iglesia Bautista de Washington, D.C. "So, to them it is important for us to graduate college and then get a good job because that's what they came here for. That way, we can live the ‘American dream.'"

But Vigil and Henriquez realized the ‘American dream' is not enough. Now, they
dream of reaching the lost people of the world for Christ – like the missionaries who went to South America to tell their parents about Jesus.

That's what took Henriquez and Vigil, a fellow youth director from New York City, to the sub-Sahara African country of Senegal.

Henriquez was surprised to find how much he can relate to the culture. He comes from a big family and loves to play soccer, as do his new Senegalese friends.

The hotter and spicier the food, the better it is for Henriquez. He asks for more hot pepper and the men joke about meeting a foreigner with a strong stomach. They love that Henriquez likes their food.

He knows these similarities between his own culture and that of the Senegalese will open doors to share about Jesus.

A common love for soccer led Vigil to an opportunity to tell a young Senegalese man about Jesus as they drank hot attaya (tea).

"Being on this trip has made me aware of the tremendous need for resources and personnel," Vigil says. "There is plenty of work to be done."

Vigil and Henriquez are not alone in seeking where God wants them to be involved in missions. They are part of a growing movement among the 3,000 Southern Baptist Hispanic churches to participate in missions outside the Latin community.

Jason Carlisle, Hispanic mobilization consultant for the International Mission Board, is encouraging the churches to become involved in IMB strategic emphases by visiting regions like West Africa.

To learn how your church can become involved in missions, call the International Mission Board at (800) 999-3113 or go online to going.imb.org.