MyDestino.com

¡Hola, hermanos! I just wanted to post this in case you didn't know about our new evangelistic web site called www.MyDestino.com. This is a great evangelistic web site that has various articles, not only very relevant to Latinos, but also mostly written by Hispanics to Hispanics, and some in Spanish as well. More translations are to come on the web site. The site also has videos of testimonies of Hispanics currently involved in our ministries and also features a message board where you can share your own testimony or just something God has put on your heart lately. It has a clear presentation of the gospel and the web site even features downloadable musica! It helps keep our momentum and our community growing together for the common purpose of reaching Hispanics on the college campus and community for Christ. There are cards you can actually pass out on campus or to your local Hispanic organization (or another creative method)! It's a great way to get a local church involved by possibly passing these out on campus or evangelistic events or by also providing some to a local church to use for their own evangelistic use as well. They are always looking for more ideas and resources. Can you just imagine what it would look like if thousands upon thousands of these cards got distributed by the campus and church communities for the common purpose of sharing Christ with others through this web site? Keep praying for your campus and may your feet be swift and beautiful for Him.

If you would like to know how to get the cards, just send us an email at destino@uscm.org or by posting a comment on this blog.

¿Qué tenemos en común?

Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Colombia, the Domincan Republic, Chile, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and the list goes on. These are the countries that represent the different and diverse nationalities of our Hispanic students in the US. Historically, we have done a fine job at dividing ourselves among these nationalistic lines in the United States. We have become very good at letting others know how different we are - our culture, our food, our traditions, history, and customs. I, as a Puerto Rican, know these differences, feel them, and appreciate them. I know that I, too, have become defensive when others (particularly Anglos) have lumped me in with a certain nationality and I am quick to correct the error.

We must always remember, however, that despite our many differences - our very residency in this country gives us an experience all too common to share and not ignore. As Hispanic college students in the US, our common struggles are even greater and deeper. And as Hispanic college students in the US who have Christ in common, it's a precious fraternidad (brotherhood).

Only we know what it's like to live in the world of Spanglish and know the inner struggle of living between those worlds and yet also the pride we many times feel to be able to communicate not just in two languages, but two cultures. We know what it's like to view the world with two sets of eyes combined. We also know what it is like to be marginalized and to be the ones who carry hope for our families.

In such a confused world for the Hispanic college students, or Hispanics in general, as believers we cannot afford to continue being divided in this way as it is in our unity that nonbelievers will truly see Christ glorified above all. We need to be clear about our common purpose and goal - to make Christ known both here and the world - and never forget who God created us to be and the identity He has given us all in Christ as Latino Christians.

I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences on this subject. I'm glad to have you guys as my Destino familia. Feel free to post your comments and share the love!

Destino Coaching Center

Hey all...if anyone is a student leading Destino and wants some connection, encouragment, coaching on next steps for the movement...gives us a call at the coaching center 1-800-678-5462 or email Destino@uscm.org and we'll get in touch with you on a more regular basis! We'd love to help and we have some resources too!

Our Identity and Ministry

All of my life, I have seen God's fingerprints in several different chapters of my life. Unfortunately, I didn't see the purpose of many of those fingerprints until about 5 years ago.

I was born in San Juan, PR to a Christian family and moved as a 1st grader to Kissimmee, FL. Here in Kissimmee I entered the experience of many of us Hispanics in the United States of being a child living among two cultures. Many (maybe most) of you reading this completely understand what I'm talking about. It can be a life of confusion, but also great richness and blessing that others growing in a monocultural context never get to experience (sometimes by choice).

Still growing up in a Hispanic Spanish-speaking church, I don't recall many mentions, if any, of God's purpose and intention in our ethnicity. I believe much of the church today in the US - whether Hispanic or non-Hispanic - has bought the lie that races and ethnicities are either a result of the fall or maybe something God designed to test our love of people of different cultures and colors. The end results in our ethnicity being ignored and left for the political arena to deal with.

However, I am excited and encouraged by the growing number of Hispanic pastors, churches, and ministries whose eyes have been opened to see that God made no mistake in forming our "new breed" of Latinos in the US. My eyes opened about 5 years ago when I decided to go to a one-year mission trip to Sevilla, Spain. I wasn't sure if God could use me very effectively because my Spanish wasn't exactly perfect, but I was pleasantly surprised by what He had planned. Because of my history in the Hispanic community in the US, God not only used my language, He used my culture in Spain to build bridges into my friends lives faster than my Anglo team members. I was used as a spokesperson various times as well as the editor for our flyers and Bible studies.

Realizing that more Hispanic students were not being challenged to make a difference on their campus and being sent to places like Spain where we would be most effective as messengers of the gospel, it has become my passion to see students empowered to take the gospel back to their campus, community, and the world. Rather than ignoring our purpose in the body of Christ, it is my passion that Hispanic students embrace all God made them to be. Just as God created and has plans for me that I can only perform as a woman, He has those same plans that I can only accomplish as a Hispanic.

God has exciting plans for you on your campus and elsewhere and I encourage you to use ALL of what God gave you to reflect His glory and walk in obedience to His commandment to "take the gospel to all nations."

There are several books that you can read that specifically deal with issues Hispanics face in the US that can be very helpful to both you and your ministry. Here is a short list:

• Being Latino in Christ, by Orlando Crespo
• Santa Biblia: The Bible through Hispanic Eyes, by Justo Gonzalez
• Mañana: Christian Theology from a Hispanic Perspective, by Justo Gonzalez

If there are other books that you have found helpful in ministry to Hispanics, I would love your comments posted on this blog. We would also love to hear your story about how you have seen God's fingerprints in your life as well. May God bless all of you as you launch a Destino ministry on your campus and remember to give us a llamadita - we would love to hear from you.

Muchisimas bendiciones,

Michelle

Destino Blogging community

Hey Destino!

Welcome to our blogging community. We thought it would be great to have a place to interact, share ideas as we seek to build Destino movements on our campuses and communities. School is about to start so feel free to share what God is doing, ideas, encouragement to others, etc. at our Destino Rincon (Corner). Vale?!

The Destino Coaching corner
1800-678-5462