Hisportic Christian Mission

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.