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Contreras Among Hispanic Leaders Meeting With Bush
WASHINGTON (May 22, 2002) - Walter Contreras, the Pacific Southwest Conference
coordinator of Hispanic church planting, joined approximately 700 U.S.
Hispanic religious leaders and President Bush for the first National Prayer
Breakfast of Hispanic religious leaders last Thursday.
Bush told the assembled leaders that he hopes pending faith-based
legislation will become more focused on aiding charity work relating to
Hispanic ministries, Contreras reported. Contreras, who personally met the
president during the event, said he is pleased that Bush recognizes the
value of Hispanic ministries.
Bush believes that changes in faith-based legislation (including the CARE
initiative) will allow
Hispanic ministries and others to compete for grants without being
discriminated against, and that the changes will provide the kind of
language for a fair opportunity to all that apply for grants, Contreras
said.
"This event provided an opportunity for us to be heard and to be recognized
as an important segment of leaders within our communities that are helping
the needy and providing very good models of ministry," Contreras said. "It
was a great opportunity to be a strong presence on Capitol Hill."
There are approximately 35.3 million Hispanics in the United States,
according to the 2000 Census, making them the most prevalent minority group
in the country. Contreras estimated there are 17 Hispanic subcultures in
the United States.
Half of all Hispanics live in two states - California and Texas - but there
are more than one million living in five other states. And states like
Georgia, Iowa, North Carolina and Tennessee have tripled or quadrupled in
Hispanic population during the past decade. In short, understanding the
complexity and importance of Hispanic ministries has become especially
important in better assessing the changing climate of the U.S.
Bush seemed to recognize this as he praised U.S. Hispanic churches for
their focus on faith, family and charity. Contreras said the president
described Hispanic leaders as "the army of
compassion" because of their efforts in helping the poor who lack financial
assistance from the government and the leaders' efforts in fighting poverty
and injustice.
"For some people, Jesus' admonition to care for the least of these is an
admirable moral teaching," said Bush in a recent Religion News
Service report. "For many Hispanic Americans, it's a way of life."
The breakfast combined the power of politics and prayer, highlighting
support for the proposed Charity Aid, Recovery and Empowerment Act that
could advance aspects of Bush's faith-based
initiative. Before his speech, Bush was presented with a bilingual Bible.
Nueva Esperanza and AMEN (Alianza de Ministerios Evangelicos Nacionales -
the National Association of Evangelical Ministries) co-hosted the event
that drew ministers from across the country representing faiths ranging
from Roman Catholic to Seventh-day Adventist to Assemblies of God.
Other breakfast speakers included Rep. J.C. Watts, R-Oklahoma; Sen. Joseph
Lieberman, D-Connecticut.; and Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pennsylvania., who
have been instrumental in legislative efforts related to faith-based
organizations. Contreras and other Hispanic religious leaders were able to
visit with state legislative leaders last Thursday afternoon. He met with
California's Sen. Dianne Feinstein, among others.
"This was an incredible learning experience for all of our pastors,"
Contreras said. "It gave us the opportunity to be heard. Senator Feinstein
was impressed to see so many Hispanic leaders in her
office, saying that some of them hadn't ever visited her office.
"We also had the opportunity to ask our representatives where they stand on
the immigration issue," Contreras continued. "Many of our Hispanic church
members of our congregation are being faced with racial profile and unjust
treatment after 9/11 incidents."
For more information on the recent prayer breakfast, email Contreras at
MCyMUSA@aol.com.
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