KISSIMMEE — The Rev. Cruz Edwin Santos, pastor of First United Methodist Hispanic Mission here, was not surprised that Hispanics are the largest minority in the state of Florida, according to the 2000 United States census.

He was surprised that Osceola County, in which his church is located, led the state’s growth with a 294 percent increase in its Hispanic population during the past decade.

"I did not realize this area was growing that rapidly," he said.

Hispanics make up 16.8 percent of Florida’s population, while blacks, including black Hispanics, account for 14.6 percent, according to an article by the Associated Press. Whites, including white Hispanics, make up 78 percent of the population.

The Hispanic population in Florida grew by 70.4 percent from 1.6 million to 2.7 million, while the black population increased by 27.4 percent from 1.8 million to 2.3 million.

Miami-Dade County gained nearly 10 times more Hispanic residents than Osceola County, increasing its Hispanic population by 338,330 people or 35.5 percent.

Santos says his church, which is the only Hispanic United Methodist church in Osceola County, is prepared to reach the growing population.

"We are prepared, and we are preparing to work with this growth," he said. "We have a multi-cultural church…and our arms are open to Hispanics."

The church currently has classes in both English and Spanish as a second language and computer classes four youth. It is working with Florida Hospital to provide health care services for people who can’t afford them and psychiatric help for "people who need someone to talk to," Santos said.

The church is also providing opportunities for the different cultures that worship there to build relationships. "We’re building a bridge, a solid bridge between the communities," he said.

He says the challenge now is to help prepare more Hispanic people for leadership in the community. "We need more Hispanics working in the government and in leadership positions in the church," he said. "We need to prepare the people for these positions."

He says the Florida Conference’s commitment to the Comprehensive Plan for Hispanic Ministry is a powerful tool for developing leaders within the church. "It will provide a more intentional and intense effort toward reaching Hispanics," Santos said.

The Rev. Catalina Borbón, president of the conference’s Hispanic Ministry Team and a deacon assigned to Miami’s Lakeview United Methodist Center, says the growth brings an urgency to the Florida Conference’s efforts to include Hispanics.

"It is not more difficult or easier, but more necessary," she said. "We need more pastors and trained laity to reach this population. We need to change, to organize better and try to reach this population that’s growing."

She said passing the Comprehensive Plan at the Dare to Share Jesus 2000 Florida Annual Conference Event was an important step for the Florida Conference because it will provide the leadership structure to organize Hispanic ministries throughout the conference. "We have the committees, but we still need someone organizing the work, someone dedicated to this ministry," she said.

The conference launched a nationwide search last month for a Conference Hispanic Coordinator to work with the Comprehensive Plan.

Borbón said the coordinator must be bilingual and someone who understands Hispanic culture. "Someone can speak the language well, but not understand the culture," she said. "We need someone that understands the culture and can speak well."

The person hired must also be able to work with people from the various regions in Latin America.

"In our congregation, we have Dominicans, Salvadorans, Cubans, Puerto Ricans…and the pastor ought to understand all the cultures," she said. "This is what we’re looking for, someone who can work with these cultures. This is not easy—it’s difficult. But there are people who can do it."

Borbón said the candidate must also speak English and be comfortable with the Anglo culture, since much of the current ministry to Hispanics is happening in churches that are also serving Anglo populations.

Although the Hispanic population within the United Methodist Church is not growing as quickly as in the general population, Borbón says she is pleased to see new Hispanic ministries and missions begun during the past several years.

"This is the purpose of the plan…growing new Hispanic groups," she said. "It’s happening now. We are working. We are working responsibly."

For more information on the Florida Conference Hispanic Coordinator, contact Borbón at 305-681-7675. The deadline for application is May 1.