When Faith Catches Fire
Embracing the Spiritual Passion of the Latino Reformation
God Loves a Heart on Fire
What can move your faith from a principle you learn to a passion you experience? According to Samuel Rodriguez and Dr. Robert Crosby, the answer might be found in a surprising place: the Latino church. As the fastest-growing minority in America, Latinos are impacting church culture through vibrant worship, fervent prayer, and a commitment to change the world — one soul at a time.
As a follower of Jesus, has your soul been truly set afire?
Christian leaders are witnessing a remarkable phenomenon, kindled first in the Latino/Hispanic community and spreading like wildfire throughout the global church.
Latinos are much discussed in the United States for their dynamic political and socioeconomic impact, but not as much is said about their spiritual influence. In reality, the effects of the Latino church are more akin to a spiritual awakening than a mere social trend. And there is so much all believers can learn from Latino Christ-followers.
At the core of this dramatic shift is a call to embrace a more soulful, passionate faith. Complete with discussion questions for individual reflection or small group use, this timely work will challenge the status quo of passionless Christianity and set the believer’s soul ablaze.
- Discover that God is doing something unprecedented in the Church today through a movement increasingly described as “the Latino Reformation”.
- Be deeply challenged to reflect on their own pursuit of the person of Christ and ways in which they can experience a more soulful Christianity.
- Discover that faith is about more than believing the right doctrines or doing the right good works; it is also engaging the joy and passion of God and his Spirit more fully.
- Read about the characteristics of Christ-followers and Latino churches around the country.
- Identify with the challenges faced by Latinos and other minority groups around them by considering similar stories in the Bible and within their own ethnic heritage and experience.
- Better understand the importance of unity amidst diversity in the Body of Christ and how beautiful it is in the eyes of God.
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The Latino Reformation is impacting the nature of all the church in worship, politics, and servanthood. Not only are these changes occurring in multiple cities, communities, nations and regions, the potential of more impact is sitting latent in the lives and hearts of many Latinos yet waiting to be welcomed, affirmed and encouraged by open souls, by yours and mine.
The U.S. Census Bureau projects that between 2014 and 2060, the U.S. population will increase from 319 million to 417 million. By 2030, one in five Americans is projected to be 65 and over and, by 2044, MORE THAN HALF OF ALL AMERICANS is projected to belong to a minority group. You read that correctly: MORE THAN HALF, which means that the current MINORITIES will become THE NEW MAJORITY. That will make America a MAJORITY-MINORITY NATION.
[We] decided to write this book for a few key reasons: (1) We believe the most staggering and significant demographic change facing the church today is the phenomenal growth of the Latino church in North America, South America and other parts of the world with an infectious passionate faith; (2) We are convinced that much of the people in the non-Hispanic church in the United States and other parts of the world are unaware of this significant development; and (3) We want to make sure that as many Christians as possible are “making the most of every opportunity” for the Gospel and especially the one the Latino Reformation presents to us now.
Endorsements
The growing Latino presence is widely recognized as a critical theme in the contemporary United States. But as Rodriguez and Crosby show so powerfully, that presence has a powerful and transformative religious dimension. When Faith Catches Fire is a timely and inspiring survey of the vibrant world of Latin faith. An exciting book!
Dr. Philip Jenkins
Distinguished Professor of History
Institute for Studies of Religion, Baylor University
When Faith Catches Fire is both an exploration and a celebration of the ‘salsafication’ of the church—God’s work among Latinos and Hispanics in the U.S. and worldwide. This topic is prophetic and indispensable. I am deeply grateful to Robert and Samuel for this book.
John Ortberg
Senior Pastor, Menlo Church
Author, “All The Places To Go”
This carefully-researched, balanced, and highly-readable book provides a superb overview of one of the most important developments in the religion and culture of our times. The section on what a vigorous Argentine pope means for Latin American Protestants is a jewel of clarity. The volume will be indispensable for leaders and laity alike in all denominations.
Dr. Harvey Cox
Hollis Professor of Divinity Emeritus, Harvard University
Author, “The Market as God”
God is doing so many amazing things around the world today. One of the most exciting is the passion and growth of the Latino church. In When Faith Catches Fire, Samuel and Robert bring us up close to this incredible growing movement of Christians. Read it and you will find your own faith enriched and reignited.
Roma Downey
Producer, Actress, President & Chief Content Officer
Lightworkers Media (Division of MGM Studios)
There is a groundswell of reformation and revival among Latino Christians today. For many, this Latino Reformation is unknown, unrecognized, and unimportant — three good reasons why every white and black Christian needs to read When Faith Catches Fire. The only way to become the Body of Christ God wants for us is when we all join hands in one fellowship.
Dr. Scot McKnight
Julius R. Mantey Professor of New Testament
Northern Seminary
In When Faith Catches Fire, the authors educate the reader on the flourishing Latino church in America and give us imagination for what’s possible when the Church is less segregated, more multicultural, and embraces the beauty of different cultures.
Gabe Lyons
Founder, Q-Ideas
Author, “Good Faith,” “Unchristian,” & “The Next Christians”
Samuel Rodriguez and Robert Crosby provide a much-needed perspective on the global church and encourage all Christ-followers to stand united while celebrating the diversity represented in the Body of Christ. Readers will be inspired to live out a more passionate, joy-filled faith, focused less on the rules of religion and more on cultivating a soulful relationship with their Creator and those in their community.
Bobby Gruenewald
Founder, YouVersion/The Bible App
Truly, God is at work today and the Hispanic and Latino church has caught fire. Rodriguez and Crosby have captured this Divine Work in a remarkable way in When Faith Catches Fire. These younger leaders and scholars have encapsulated the genuine key to living, uniting, and changing the world — with passion!
Dr. Robert E. Cooley
President-Emeritus
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
