If you are a denominational leader looking for the pulse of the future church, you don’t need a crystal ball. You need to look at what is happening right now in Hispanic church planting.
For years, we have talked about the need to shift from simple addition to true multiplication. We have discussed the Level 5 framework and the need to champion a new scorecard—one that values sending capacity over seating capacity. But often, the examples we point to feel like exceptions to the rule.
New research released this week suggests that for Hispanic church plants, multiplication isn’t just an aspirational goal; it is becoming their standard operating reality.
At the recent Church Planting Leadership Fellowship (CPLF) gathering, Lifeway Research and Exponential unveiled a groundbreaking study on the state of new Hispanic church works in the U.S. Scott McConnell, Executive Director of Lifeway Research shared findings which offer more than just data points; they offer a roadmap for resilience, evangelism, and disciple-making that every network leader needs to understand.
This research provides tangible evidence that Hispanic congregations are not only growing—they are actively reshaping the landscape of the American church.
An Engine for Evangelism
One of the most common pain points for denominational leaders is seeing stagnant baptism numbers across established churches. We often ask: How do we reignite a passion for the lost?
The answer might lie in observing the DNA of these new Hispanic works. The research reveals that these churches are generating an immediate and profound evangelistic impact.
In their first year alone, these congregations see an average of 10 new commitments to Christ. But when you look closer at the ratio, the numbers are even more staggering. Hispanic church plants are seeing approximately 30 new commitments to Christ for every 100 attendees. To put that in perspective, that is roughly three times the national average for Protestant churches.
Immediate evangelistic impact of new Hispanic congregations is remarkable. As the congregation grows, the number of new commitments to Jesus Christ per attendee begins to decline, but the overall evangelistic effectiveness is consistently strong.
For multiplication leaders casting vision for a region, this is the kind of proof point that changes the conversation. It shows that high-impact evangelism is possible, even in challenging cultural contexts.
Reaching the Truly Unchurched
Another critical metric for multiplication is who we are reaching. Are we simply shuffling believers from one building to another, or are we penetrating the darkness?
The data tells a compelling story of breakthrough. A significant 35% of attendees in these new Hispanic churches were previously unchurched—meaning they either never attended church or hadn’t done so in a very long time. Additionally, another 20% come from a Catholic background, suggesting that these plants are effectively reaching cultural Christians and introducing them to a vibrant, personal faith relationship.
This is not transfer growth. This is Kingdom growth.
New Hispanic congregations have many current stories of changed lives, as more than 1 in 3 attendees were not attending church at all before this new church work began.
This success stems from a distinct shift in focus. When pastors of these new works were asked what they emphasize most, 68% cited “equipping the congregation to share the gospel.” Compare that to only 13% who prioritized “inviting people to church.”
This is a subtle but powerful distinction that aligns perfectly with a disciple-making culture. These leaders aren’t just trying to fill seats; they are trying to equip the saints. They are building a culture where the responsibility for evangelism belongs to the whole body, not just the professional on the stage.
Resilience and Growth Amidst Challenges
Despite facing significant challenges, these new Hispanic churches are showing incredible resilience and growth. Many are navigating fear within their congregations due to government and immigration issues, which has even led to declines in attendance. Financially, they operate with minimal outside support, forcing the majority of pastors to work second jobs.
However, these obstacles haven’t stopped them. The average new church grows from 31 to 85 people in eight years and continues to expand. This persistence is fueled by deep spiritual resilience and a strong sense of divine calling to their specific communities, proving that their mission transcends strategic plans and financial limitations.
The Power of Collaborative Leadership
This research was made possible because of the Church Planting Leadership Fellowship (CPLF), a learning network of denominational and network leaders who provide leadership for church planting regionally and nationally. Founded by Ed Stetzer, CPLF partners with Exponential to host gatherings and resources to support these efforts.
Steve Pike, Founder of the Church Multiplication Network and Next Wave Community, responded to the findings by saying, “The Hispanic Church Planting Research provides tangible evidence of the significant impact of the Hispanic church in America. Every church organization that desires to see the Church mobilized for multiplication will benefit greatly by incorporating the study results into their church planting strategies.”
This is why networks like CPLF exist—to share these kinds of insights, to tell these stories, and to collaborate for transformation. When we come together to learn from what is working, we lift the lid on what is possible for our own tribes.
The study was sponsored by Exponential and the following members of the Church Planting Leadership Fellowship: SEND Network, Evangelical Free Church of America, Church Multiplication Network, Christian & Missionary Alliance, Baptist Missionary Association of America, The Wesleyan Church, Evangelical Covenant Church, Resonate Global Mission, Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, and Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College. This broad coalition underscores that the rise of the Hispanic church is not a denominational niche; it is a movement that spans the entire body of Christ.
Actionable Next Steps for Leaders
So, what does this mean for you as you lead your network?
First, leverage the story. Use these findings to cast vision. Show key stakeholders that multiplication is happening and that investment in Hispanic church planting yields a high Kingdom return.
Second, learn from the model. Encourage your existing churches to adopt the “equipping” mindset over the “inviting” mindset. If Hispanic church plants can achieve 3x the evangelistic impact with fewer resources, there are disciple-making principles there that every church needs to emulate.
Third, engage with the data. Don’t just read the summary. Dive into the full report to understand the nuances of funding models, leadership pipelines, and community engagement.
We are entering a pivotal season for the church in America. The data is clear: Hispanic church plants are not just surviving; they are thriving. They are modeling the kind of relational influence, evangelistic fervor, and disciple-making focus that we all aspire to.
