A Public Statement on Media Representation and the Latino Christian Community
As Latino Christian leaders, pastors, scholars, and practitioners committed to the flourishing of our communities and to the integrity of our Christian public witness, we write to express our concern regarding persistent patterns of media representation that mischaracterize the Latino evangelical church and the broader Latino Christian community. We call upon journalists and media institutions to uphold the highest standards of journalistic integrity – especially during a time when misinformation is rampant and public trust in legacy media is increasingly fragile. Failure to do so not only erodes public confidence but also amplifies confusion, bias, and distortion in the portrayal of our communities.
It is often stated, “Latinos are not a monolith.” This statement is equally true of the Latino Christian community and its many expressions, including Evangelical, Pentecostal, Mainline Protestant, Catholic, and Non-Denominational traditions. There is no singular voice that represents the breadth of the Latino Christian community, and we therefore reject any attempt to represent, characterize, or epitomize the diversity of our community through one particular individual or organization.
We write to express our disagreement and concern with the media representation of Rev. Samuel Rodriguez and the National Latino Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC) as the primary voice representing the Latino evangelical community. Latino Christians across the United States are serving their communities through churches, nonprofit organizations, educational initiatives, and humanitarian ministries. From disaster relief and global health partnerships to immigration accompaniment, poverty alleviation, and community development, Latino Christian institutions contribute meaningfully to the civic, spiritual, and social fabric of this nation. Accurate media representation therefore matters not only for the sake of public discourse but also for recognizing the breadth of faithful service taking place across our communities every day.
Mainstream media has circulated the narrative of the NHCLC as “the largest Hispanic Christian organization in America,” claiming representation of over 40,000 Hispanic churches in the United States. These figures are self-reported and have not been independently verified, yet they are repeatedly affirmed by various media outlets through what is often described as “shortcut source” journalism. Additionally, Christianity Today has perpetuated the claim that Rev. Samuel Rodriguez “represents millions of Christians worldwide.” This is not only inaccurate but also reinforces the misleading notion that a single leader can speak for the breadth and diversity of the Latino Christian community.
Publicly available denominational data illustrates the importance of careful and accurate reporting. In 2024, the Southern Baptist Convention – the largest Protestant denomination in the United States – reported approximately 3,317 Hispanic congregations. Similarly, the Assemblies of God – the largest Pentecostal denomination – recorded 2,961 Hispanic churches in 2023. Meanwhile, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), which represents the largest body of Latino Christians in the United States and is not affiliated with the NHCLC, reported in 2024 that 4,479 parishes offer Sunday Mass in Spanish, while an additional 2,760 parishes maintain a Hispanic presence or ministry without Spanish-language Mass.
These figures call into question the enumeration of Latino churches used by the NHCLC as well as their claims to represent those churches. This demonstrates the need for media outlets to verify claims and accurately reflect the diversity and complexity of Latino Christian institutions in the United States.
The public witness of Rev. Samuel Rodriguez and the National Latino Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC) has increasingly raised serious concerns among many Latino Christian leaders. In particular, public statements that appear to minimize the suffering experienced by immigrant families or that justify policies causing harm within our communities undermine the moral clarity of the gospel’s call to justice, compassion, and the dignity of every human being. Their positions do not represent the entirety of the Latino evangelical church nor the broader Latino Christian community.
Rev. Rodriguez has stated that he does not write as an “activist or partisan” in his most recent article with Christianity Today. However, Christianity Today’s own reporting notes that he has supported President Trump in the past three presidential elections. Furthermore, on multiple occasions Rev. Rodriguez has advanced narratives – such as that the current administration is primarily targeting “muchomalohombres” and that the actions of the Department of Homeland Security are disconnected from the stated priorities of President Donald Trump, – that many leaders believe misrepresent the lived realities of Latino families across the United States. These narratives are not simply matters of political interpretation; they carry real consequences for immigrant communities and for the credibility of Christian witness in the public square.
Public alignment with political leadership is not inherently illegitimate, but when leaders claim to represent tens of thousands of churches or millions of Christians, such alignment carries significant moral and pastoral responsibility. Leaders who claim such broad representation must recognize that their public posture shapes how the Latino Christian community is perceived both nationally and globally.
Available data further underscores the disconnect between these representations and the perspectives held by many Latino Christians. According to the Pew Research Center, a significant majority of Latinos express concern regarding the administration’s policies, particularly on immigration and economic issues. Approximately 65–70% of Latinos disapprove of current immigration policies, and 61% report that economic policies have worsened conditions for their communities. Among Latino Christians, similar patterns emerge: roughly 70% of Latino Catholics and approximately 55% of Latino evangelical Protestants express disapproval of current immigration policies, while broader surveys show 58% disapproval among Hispanic adults overall. These findings align more closely with the concerns voiced by many Latino Christian leaders and communities than with the narratives often attributed to them in public discourse.
Our call to the media is therefore simple: we urge journalists and editors to broaden their engagement with Latino Christian leaders, scholars, pastors, and institutions across the country. The Latino Christian community is vibrant, diverse, and deeply committed to the flourishing of our nation, and its public witness cannot and should not be reduced to a single voice, organization, or political posture. Responsible journalism requires listening to the many voices that shape our communities and representing the full breadth of Latino Christian leadership with the accuracy, complexity, and integrity it deserves.
We are not a monolith, we are a multitude.
We invite Latino Christian leaders, pastors, scholars, and practitioners to sign on to ‘We Are Not a Monolith: A Public Statement on Media Representation and the Latino Christian Community.’ This statement underscores the importance of accurate media representation and affirms that no single individual or organization speaks for the entire Latino Christian community. Stand with us in calling for integrity, nuance, and accountability in how our communities are portrayed. We invite you to add your name at www.WeAreNotAMonolith.com
List of Signatories
Rev. Dr. Eddy Aleman, General Secretary, Reformed Church in America
Rev. Dr. Sammy Alfaro, Lead Pastor, Iglesia Nuevo Día
Rev. Enid M. Almanzar, Chairwoman, National Latino Evangelical Coalition
Rev. Samuel A. Almanzar, Associate Pastor, The Gathering Place NJ
The Most Rev. Dr. Emilio Alvarez, Bishop, The Cathedral at The Gathering Place
Rev. Dr. Luis Alvarez, Executive Team Member, Latino Leadership Circle
Rev. Dr. Edwin David Aponte, Dean of the Theological School, Drew University
Rev. Jose Arce Jr, Lead Pastor, Legacy Church
Rev. Alma Ruth Azua, Founder and Director, Practice Mercy Foundation
Dr. Lloyd Daniel Barba, Professor, Amherst College
Rev. Abraham Bejarano, Director, Evangelical Covenant Church
Sr. Eduardo Cáceres, Iglesia de Dios de la Profecía
Ms. Liza Cagua-McAllister, Systems Consultant, Emmanuel Gospel Center
Rev. John Harold Caicedo, President of the Consejo Latino, Iglesia Cristiana El Sembrador
Dr. Jonathan Calvillo, Associate Professor, Candler School of Theology,
Rev. Marcos Canales, Pastor, La Fuente Ministries
Rev Anyra Cano, Director of Programs and Outreach/Pastoral Team, FaithWorks/Iglesia Bautista Victoria en Cristi
Rev. Dr. Michael Carrion, Evangelical Covenant Church
Bishop Rev. William Osmar Chamagua, Senior Pastor, IPUA Church of Jesus Christ
Rev. Dr. Robert Chao Romero, Professor, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Rev. Dra. Estela Chao-Reza, Executive Director, Faith Action for Community Equity
Mr. Odir Chavez
Rev. Noemi Chavez, Revive Church & CT Board member
Rev. Abner Cotto-Bonilla, Ordained Minister, American Baptist Churches USA
Rev. Dr. Orlando Crespo, Executive Leader, Latino Leadership Circle
Rev. Jose Duran, Executive Director & Latino Network Director, Movimientolatam.org & Cityleaderscollective.org
Dr. Octavio Esqueda, Independent Scholar
Rev. Dr. Oscar Garcia-Johnson, Professor of Theology & Decolonial Studies, Fuller Theological Seminary/La Fuente Ministries,
Rev. Sarah Gautier, Pastor, Living Stones Church
Ms. Karen Gonzalez, Independent Scholar
Rev. Dr. Justo L. Gonzalez, Retired Minister, Professor, Historian, United Methodist Church
Dr. Sergio M. González, Associate Professor, Marquette University
Mr. Justin Guaman, Campus Minister, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship
Dr. Jennifer Guerra Aldana, Assistant Professor of Christian Ministry and Practice, Point Loma Nazarene University
Rev. Aracelis Haye, Minister, Passion2Plant Network
Dr. Norlan Josué Hernández, Independent Scholar
Dr. Juan Hernández Jr., Professor, Bethel University
Dr. Felipe Hinojosa, Professor, Baylor University
Dr. Pablo A. Jiménez, Pastoral Leader, Movimiento La Red
Rev. Abel Lopez, Lead Pastor, The LEAD Church
Pastora Mayra Macedo-Nolan, Executive Director, Clergy Community Coalition
Rev. Carlos L. Malave, President, Latino Christian National Network
Rev. Andrew Mark, Pastor for Families and Community, Pasadena Covenant Church
Dr. Joseph Dominick Martinez, Executive Pastor, Elements Church
Rev. Mynor Martinez, Pastor, New Hope Christian Church / Assemblies of God
Rev. Michael A. Mata, Pastor, Los Angeles First Church of the Nazarene
Rev. Dr. Cristal Silva McCormick, Assistant Professor / Director of Latinx Studies, Austin Seminary
Mrs. Lynette McIntosh-Madrigal, Flourishing Congregations Coordinator, CCDA
Rev. Dr. José Daniel Montañez, Lead Pastor, Central Church of God / Iglesia de Dios Central
Dr. Daniel Montañez, Executive Director, The Center for Public Theology and Migration
Attorney Jorge Montes, Minister and General Counsel, Apostolic Assembly of the Faith in Christ Jesus
Rev. Dr. Juan Carlos Morales, Pastor, Park Slope Christian Tabernacle
Rev. Dr. Felix Muniz, Founder/Executive Director, Galilean Theological Center
Ms. Michelle E. Navarrete, PhD Student, Emory University
Dr. Sergio Navarrete, Assemblies of God Minister
Rev Ruben Ortiz, Latino Field Ministries Coordinator, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
Miss Deborah Ortiz, Pitts Theology Library Bilingual Reference and Acquisitions Librarian, Emory University
Dr. Emanuel Padilla, President, World Outpoken
Rev. Dr. Alvin Padilla, Professor of New Testament, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Dr. Jose Omar Palafox, Professor and Director, Comunidad Hispana C3 at ACU
Minister Belinda Passafaro, Executive Member, Latino Leadership Circle (LLC)
Mr. Guesnerth Josue Perea, Director, Black Lives & Contemplation
Ms. Evelyn Perez, Director, Evangelical Covenant Church
Mr. Socrates Perez, Jr., Micah Catalyst, UNDIVIDED
Rev. Efrain Pineda, Vida Church / Congreso RED / LCNN Pastor / Director of Strategy Ph.D. Candidate
Noemi Vega Quiñones, Mennocostal Independent Scholar
Rev. Dr. Edna R. Quiros, Spiritual Director/Congregational Pastor, The Passion Center
Rev. Rosa Cándida Ramírez, Associate Pastor, La Fuente Ministries
Mr. Carlos Rebollar, Pastor, Confraternidad Avance
Rev. Jonathan Reyes, Pastor & Director of Church Partnerships, New Life Solutions
Rev. Liliana Reza, Director of Border Engagement & Public Witness, World Relief
Rev. Carlos Rincon, Pastor/President, Centro de Vida Victoriosa Church/Matthew25 SoCal
Mr. Jesse Rincones, Executive Director, Convención Bautista Hispana de Texas
Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Rios, Founder, Passion2Plant Network & The Passion Center
Rev. Hiram Rios, Community Outreach Pastor, The Passion Center
Dr. Peter Rios, Founder, Peter Rios Consulting
Rev. Dr. Marc Rivera, Senior Pastor, Primitive Christian Church
Rev. Dr. Raymond Rivera, Bishop/President, Latino Pastoral Action Center (LPAC)/Council of Holistic Christian Churches & Ministries
Rev. Dr. Daniel Andrés Rivera Rosado, Founding Director, Missio Paideia, LLC.
Prof. Kerwin A. Rodriguez, Chair and Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
Rev. Luis Alba Rodríguez, Senior Pastor, Centro Cristiano Cántico Nuevo
Mr. Ricardo Rodríguez, President, Parael Producciones Inc.
Rev. Joel Roman, Pastor, Casa de Oración
Rev. Dr. Jonathan Roque, Senior Pastor, Hunts Point Damascus Christian Church
Sr. Jacob Salas, Iglesia de Dios Pentecostal M.I.
Rev. Dr. Gabriel Salguero, President, National Latino Evangelical Coalition
Rev. Dr. Jeanette Salguero, Executive Vice President, National Latino Evangelical Coalition
Rev. Miluska E. Silencio, Pastor for Immigrant Faith Leadership (Doctoral Fellow), The Passion Center
Rev. Dr. Kittim Silva Bermúdez, General Bishop, International Council of Pentecostal Churches of Jesus
Christ, Inc.
Mr. George H. Soltero, Former Board Member, National Association of Evangelicals, Attorney at Law
Rev. Daniel Sostaita, Pastor Fundador, Iglesia Cristiana Sin Fronteras
Daniel Israel Soto Gonzalez, Stories Coordinator, The Welcome Center
Rev. Lori Tapia, Obra Hispana, National Pastor and President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Rev. Edgar Torres, President, Asociación Latina de la Iglesia del Pacto Evangélico
Rev. Harry J Torres Zaragoza, TIR Ministries
Rev. Norberto Torres, Lead Pastor, Refugio City Church
Rev. Eli Valentin, Writer, COGIC Minister, Assistant Dean, Virginia Union University (Universidad)
Mrs. Damaris Velásquez, Agencia ALPHA
Dr. Melvin Valiente, Senior Pastor First Baptist Church of Maywood
Rev. Ada Valiente, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church of Maywood
Rev. Sandra Maria Van Opstal, Founder and Executive Director, Chasing Justice
Rev. Inés Velásquez-McBryde, Lead Pastor, The Church We Hope For
Pastor Rich Villodas, Lead Pastor, New Life Fellowship
Dr. Luis R. Vizcarrondo Sr., Educational Pastor, Iglesia Refine Church
The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Center for Public Theology & Migration. This platform exists to foster thoughtful theological reflection, dialogue, and public engagement on issues related to (im)migration.
