The words “Hispanic” and “Latino/a” often hide a vast diversity for many of us across the CBFNC. It’s not intentional, but we often miss an important truth when we speak about the Latino community: it is as diverse as any other community.
Santiago Reales and Daniel Sostaita of the CBFNC Red Latina (not the color red, but “la red” in Spanish is “the network,” so Latino Network) graciously invited me to attend a recent Christmas gathering. I had a wonderful time and left with a full heart and very full stomach! I was reminded as I chatted with people that throughout the room, many ethnicities and nationalities were represented. Not a monolithic Latino community but a diverse Latino community gathered to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
It is important to understand that Venezuelans are not Hondurans. Columbians are not Guatemalans. Salvadorans are not Mexicans. And further, within each of those nationalities are diverse ethnicities, geographic groups, and linguistic distinctions. Simply saying “Latino” does not instantly unite such diverse people.
What the CBFNC Red Latina works hard at and does so beautifully is gather all the differences into a community centered on Jesus Christ and a shared mission. They are an example to celebrate within the larger CBFNC. They are bringing Baptists from across the Spanish-speaking world and across lines that often divide for Christ-centered ministry here in North Carolina.
They are an example to us all, and I think we need to pay attention and learn.
The Lord be with you all, Randy Carter
CBFNC Welcome Network Director and Pastor, Temple Baptist Church Durham