Why we work with Destino
Kristi and I both grew up in rural Wisconsin, the land of cheese curds and cheese heads. Our first cross-cultural ministry experience was our involovement in international student ministry while in college. We saw Japanese and Korean students make decisions to follow Jesus and then return to their country with the life-changing hope of the gospel. This began a journey that has ultimately lead to us to working alongside other ethnicities. We are captivated with the idea that God’s plan for reaching the world includes the world.
Latino college students face many challenges
Isolation.
“When I got on campus, I just looked for the students who looked like me, and they became my friends.”
Pressure to Succeed.
Latinos are often the first in their family to go to college, so they experience tremendous pressure to do well in college while also pursuing other family responsibilities. Because of the need to balance financial and social needs at home with the rigorous academic expectations at the university, all while navigating the murky depths of F.A.F.S.A. and student loans, many students opt for delayed schedules or part-time course loads.
Cultural Ambiguity.
Many grow up “not American enough” in school with friends where they speak English, yet “not Latino enough” at home where they may speak Spanish.
Uniquely Suited To Reach The World.
The longer we stay in ministry, the more convinced we are that Latinos are a key to unlocking the world to the gospel.
Nationally, one in four kindergartners are Latino.
As the fastest growing ethnic minority population in the United States, it’s clear that Latinos will have a unique ability to influence the world in the coming generations. But it’s more than just numbers.
It starts with their families.
Having close family connections gives students opportunity to inspire and influence younger generations to stay in school and go to college. Family connections often interchange with church and community, furthering their scope of influence.
Cross-cuturally equipped.
Latinos share many points of cultural intersection and understanding with other unreached people groups around the world, especially the Muslim culture. Perhaps God is equipping them to be sent out into the world, whether that be within their own city or another country.
Destino To The World
Destino is one of several ministries within CRU which are passionate that ethnic minority students are not overlooked on campus, and we seek to mobilize college students with a vision to reach their family, campus and community,
Obviously engaging the fastest growing ethnicity on campus as we work to reach all ethnos (people groups) around the world is just good strategy.
But there is also inestimable value to the church itself when people from very diverse backgrounds can worship together, celebrating that diversity while at the same time enjoying a deep sense of unity.
CAFE Values Empower Missionaries
Destino as a ministry embraces CAFE values, and we trust God will allow us to equip our students in these specific ways:
Culturally Connected.
Academically achieving.
Financially Faithful.
Empowered Spiritually.
College students are in a unique life stage. They are working towards a career path but at the same time they are already missionaries to their campus, family and friends.
Students like this reach the world, no matter if they choose to become pastors or campus missionaries, accountants, teachers, doctors or artists.
We use cookies to improve your experience and to help us understand how you use our site. Please refer to our cookie notice and privacy statement for more information regarding cookies and other third-party tracking that may be enabled.
