With the growth of the Hispanic population in Central Indiana over the past decade, Whitewater Valley Presbytery is seeking ways to serve our Hispanic neighbors.

The Hispanic Ministries Lead Team and presbytery staff members Fabio Socarraz and Felipe Martinez work to resource presbytery congregations in their efforts to reach out to Hispanics living in their communities.

Whitewater Valley is committed to develop ministries that meet the needs of the diverse Hispanic community, taking into account generational and cultural factors.

First generation immigrants are born outside the United States and are strongly connected in culture and language to their mother country.

A second generation immigrant is born in the United States, the child of a first generation immigrant. A second generation immigrant is bilingual, though he/she might prefer English. He/She is also bicultural, with varying degrees of preference for what is culturally Hispanic and culturally American depending on the situation.

A unique blending of first and second generation immigrants is what the Korean American community calls the “1.5 generation” which refers to an individual born outside the United States, but who has grown up in this country. The 1.5 generation individual is likely bilingual and bicultural. He/She is able to bridge his/her two cultures, at times serving as a cultural interpreter between first and second generation individuals, or between his/her immigrant group and the larger community.