3 Benefits of Being the Pastor

Despite the universal challenges faced by simply being a pastor, Hispanic congregations in the U.S. have unique dynamics.

By José Vazquez

As a Hispanic pastor in Tennessee, I can say nothing can truly prepare you for the experience of being a pastor of a local church. A recent study from Lifeway Research offers a look behind the curtain into the life and ministry of Hispanic pastors.

While Hispanic pastors aren’t alone in their struggles, the study shows they face unique challenges within the culture of the Hispanic community. However, the report provides encouraging news about pastors themselves. The study found most Hispanic pastors are grateful for the calling to serve and reach the community they’ve been called to minister. I am one of those pastors grateful for the calling. I’m also thankful for the challenges, because one can see God at work through them.

While Hispanic Protestant pastors aren't alone in their struggles, a Lifeway Research study shows they face unique challenges within the culture of the Hispanic community. Share on X

Despite the universal challenges pastors across the United States face, Hispanic congregations have unique dynamics. A visit to a Hispanic church would reveal a tapestry of people from various nationalities, races, and customs united in worship. This diversity, reminiscent of the vision in Revelation, is a small glimpse of the future: “After this, I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number” (Revelation 7:9, CSB).

The study reveals several ways Hispanic pastors say being a pastor has positively impacted their own lives and well-being. Here are three of the positive impacts I’ve experienced while doing ministry in a culturally diverse Hispanic community.

1. Witnessing people’s transformation

One of the most incredible experiences in my life as a pastor is seeing God transform a person’s life. In the Lifeway Research study, more than 4 in 5 Hispanic pastors said they’d been positively impacted by seeing life transformation in others up close (85%). This firsthand, life-changing experience is not just fulfilling; it’s a testament to the power of God’s work in our lives. It reinforces our sense of purpose in ministry and inspires us to continue serving.

As the immigrant population grows within our cities and towns, we will find that people are transitory. And those people will transition through our churches. Still, when you see the transformation in people, it can fuel your heart as the pastor.

Pastors love to see the Word of God in action as Jesus works in the congregation’s heart. As Ezekiel 36:26 says, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” (CSB). I am grateful to witness this boost in our lives when we see transformation happen.

2. Community building

Hispanic church pastors also often allow leaders to play a critical role in fostering community among congregation members. The data from Lifeway Research shows pastors of Hispanic churches say their church is serving their community in key ways, including providing marriage counseling (60%), feeding the hungry (53%), clothing the poor (44%), and giving back-to-school materials to children (43%).

This is significant for culturally and linguistically unified communities, where the church is often a central social and spiritual hub. Engaging the diverse Hispanic community while fostering and developing leaders within the church brings people together. People feel welcomed when the church leadership looks like the rest of the church. Those same individuals invite others from their community to be part of the church.

“Engaging the diverse Hispanic community while fostering and developing leaders within the church brings people together.” — José Vazquez Share on X

I love what we read in Acts: “When this sound occurred, a crowd came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded and amazed, saying, ‘Look, aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? How is it that each of us can hear them in our own native language?'” (Acts 2:6-8, CSB).

3. Personal and spiritual growth

As you minister to and work with various nationalities and cultures in the Hispanic church, you grow as an individual and a Christian. The research shows the challenges and responsibilities of pastoral work foster considerable personal and spiritual growth.

Pastors report that their role leads to personal spiritual growth (83%) and increases their dependence on God (83%). Serving in a diverse Hispanic congregation, you find yourself caring deeply and compassionately for others in the nations that comprise Latin America, praying they “may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love” (Ephesians 3:18, CSB).

Even with the many unique challenges a Hispanic congregation faces, the Hispanic pastor finds pastoring positively impacts his life and ministry. The Hispanic pastor’s calling is missional in nature, even if he never steps outside his community or city.

As I look back over the decade of ministry in my life, I thank God for the many experiences and opportunities God has given me to connect with people from different nations and remember the blessing and joy God has provided me through this blessed experience of being a part of a Hispanic congregation.

For permission to republish this article, contact Marissa Postell Sullivan.