Reaching the Nations in Your City, with Juan Carlos Heredia

The future of the church in America is increasingly multicultural—compelling leaders to be intentional about fostering environments where diverse cultures can thrive together. Juan Carlos Heredia, Spanish Ministry Pastor at Houston’s Sugar Creek Baptist Church, joins Doug for this eye-opening episode of The Intentional Churches podcast to discuss the evolution of Hispanic ministry, the importance of personal ownership in evangelism, and how churches can strategically integrate different cultural groups without forcing assimilation.

During their conversation Juan Carlos shares his personal story of growing up between Ecuador, Mexico, and the U.S., how his calling led him into ministry, and the challenges of leading a Spanish-speaking congregation. He also gets into why Houston is a strategic hub for global missions and how its diversity presents both opportunities and challenges for churches.

This timely episode offers practical advice for churches looking to engage Hispanic communities, emphasizing the need for leadership that understands both cultures and the importance of contextualizing ministry without losing the gospel’s core message.

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CHAPTERS:
00:00 - The Importance of Tools in Evangelism
00:17 - Welcome & Introduction to Juan Carlos Heredia
01:42 - Juan Carlos’ Background and Calling to Ministry
04:59 - The Diversity of Houston as a Mission Field
07:14 - Integration vs. Segregation in Houston’s Cultural Landscape
09:09 - Challenges of Hispanic Ministry in America
12:35 - Creating a Culture of Invitation and Evangelism
15:19 - How Sugar Creek Integrates Spanish Ministry
19:10 - The Future of Multicultural Church Partnerships
24:54 - Practical Steps for Assimilation Without Assimilation
30:44 - Personal Ownership of the Great Commission
33:35 - Using Events as Evangelistic Tools
37:22 - The Challenge of Retaining Young Generations in Faith
40:08 - Final Thoughts & Leadership Challenge