About
HCM
HCM
. Org
(Hisportic — of and pertaining to Portuguese Speaking Peoples)
The
Beginning
August, 1984 marks the start of a special ministry. A ministry to
Portuguese speaking people living in the United States. There are
almost one million Hisportic people and very few evangelical churches
to reach out to them.
Following
seven years on the mission field in Brazil, while doing research for
classes he would teach as a missions professor, Wayne
Long discovered the vast field of Hisportic peoples in the United
States. With this discovery, God placed a love for these people in
his heart. Wayne had been uniquely prepared for this work. He spoke
Portuguese fluently and his ministry calling was evangelism and church
planting.
Wayne
and his wife, Gail prayed about this great need. They gathered Christian
friends around them to pray for wisdom and confirmation of the Lord's
leading. They presented the bold venture of a Hisportic ministry to
interested Christians and churches. All were enthusiastic and encouraging.
The Vision
From
that, a great vision was born. Churches would be planted in needy
communities and Portuguese—speaking pastors would be recruited.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ would be presented to thousands of people
in the United States who would hear it in their own language.
The
evangelistic and church planting ministry of the Hisportic Christian
Mission focuses on Portuguese-speaking persons: Portuguese, Capeverdeans,
Brazilians, and Guinea—Bissauns. The ministry priority is with
new immigrants who speak little or no English.
The
Hisportic Christian Mission also serves mainstream mission minded
Christians and churches to evangelize and plant churches cross—culturally
among Portuguese—speaking people.
Why
plant new churches?
-
Church
planting is the most effective means of evangelizing under heaven.
-
Ethnic
churches help new immigrants adjust to their new life in America.
Churches are generally formed before clubs and associations. It
is in these settings that family, social, and recreational bonds
are strengthened.
-
HCM
reaches a young population with the Christian faith. Immigrants
are young; in their 20's and 30's. New families are being formed.
In a day when the general population is aging, immigrants represent
a younger and more dynamic segment of the population.
-
New
ethnic churches will impact the future generations. Ethnics Ethnics
comprise the fastest growing segment of society. Conversion of young
ethnic children will result in securing the future for our Lord
Jesus Christ and His Church.
-
New churches renew the church. If Christianity is to grow in North
America, new churches must be planted. Attrition, aging, and death
must be counteracted with strong, vigorous new churches.
-
There
are 102 communities of 1,000 or more Portuguese—speaking persons
on the East Coast of America from New Hampshire to Washington DC.
The Vision 2000 goal will bring HCM measurably closer to the goal
of reaching these peoples.
The
Need
Originally,
the Hisportic Christian Mission was begun because there was a very
large group of persons (between 500,000 and 1,000,000) with only a
very few evangelical churches (less than 30) serving them.
Today,
the changing demographics of America's population compels evangelical
churches to evangelize and plant churches among ethnic populations.
The Anglo—American segment of the United States population is
static or declining. Ethnic populations are growing.
The
Impact
Since
its beginning in 1984, HCM has launched 27 ministries. Today, there
are 16 churches cooperating with the mission. These churches have
a total membership of 927 members and a cumulative average of 1200
in Sunday attendance during 1999.
However,
the impact of the ministry is best seen in the lives of the people
who have become closer to God through Jesus Christ:
-
Today
there are 418 new baptized believers in Christ.
-
Numerous
couples living in illicit and common—law relations are married.
-
Many persons with substance abuse have been recuperated.
-
The
depressed and suicidal receive new hope.
-
Deacons,
elders, and teachers are discovered and trained.
-
Un-shepherded Christians are discovered and brought into Churches.
Vision 2000
There
are two pressing needs facing Hisportic Christian Mission.
First,
the success of the mission. The growing number of churches and the
needs of these churches requires more administration. There is more
ministry opportunity within the Portuguese speaking communities in
the northeast and southeast than one person can fulfill. William and
Karen Keefer have come to assume the following responsibilities:
-
Administration
in the areas of fund raising, finance, and legal work.
-
Complete the administrative work behind conferences and conventions.
- Work
with the mission churches in finding, purchasing, and remodeling
meeting facilities.
Second,
is really a kingdom building opportunity. HCM adopted a goal in 1998
to plant 19 new churches by the end of 2000. Nine of these new churches
have been started as of January 2000. These new churches and the 10
more to be started need funds to provide part—time salaries for
evangelists and building rents to help them get started.
The Challenge
To provide
the seed funding for the 19 new churches and the support necessary
from HCM will require $200,000 in additional funds for the Hisportic
Christian Mission.
Every
Successful financial campaign finds its strength in the broad range
of financial investments made my many individuals. No campaign can
reach its goal without those few people who provide leadership gifts
and the many who contribute to the successful conclusion of the campaign.
Their personal commitments speak volumes about their value systems.
The opportunity to participate in life—redeeming intervention
is available to those who respond positively to the call to become
part of Vision 2000.
