Spaniard in Puerto Rico

People Name:	Spaniard
Country:	Puerto Rico
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	3,200
World Population:	29,944,500
Primary Language:	Spanish
Primary Religion:	Christianity
Christian Adherents:	77.00 %
Evangelicals:	1.00 %
Scripture:	Complete Bible
Ministry Resources:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Spanish
Affinity Bloc:	Eurasian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

Did you know that Spanish is the fourth most spoken language in the world? Over a half of billion people speak Spanish. This puts Spanish behind only English, Mandarin and Hindi. The widespread use of the Spanish language came as a result from the huge holdings of the Spanish Empire from the 15th century to 1976. During this five-century period Spain controlled large sections of North America, the Caribbean, South America, Western Europe, Africa, and islands in Asia and Oceania.
Besides those residing in Spain, Spaniards are found in over 50 countries. They are also found in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico was among the Spanish Empire's first holdings. More Spaniards came there in the 1930s when Spain was suffering from a destructive civil war.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Puerto Rico is not an independent nation like the other lands that broke away from the Spanish Empire. It is a "unincorporated territory," of the United States. Puerto Ricans can vote in American primary elections but not in the final election. They have the right to move to anywhere in the United States. Puerto Ricans speak mainly Spanish, not English.
With Spain's lingering economic problems and high unemployment rate, many young Spaniards are fleeing to their former colonies. Most of these people have college degrees and they have the credentials to take on professional jobs. There is room for such people in Puerto Rico. Spaniards with the right skills find excellent opportunities there.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Most Spanish people are nominally Roman Catholics. Only about 10% of Spanish Catholics attend mass on a weekly basis. They get married and buried by the Roman Catholic church. Their children are baptized by Roman Catholic priests into the church. Most Spanish people in Puerto Rico are more concerned with their family's economic and social well-being rather than teachings of the Roman church.
Evangelical Christians believe that the Bible is the only source of authority for Christ's church. Roman Catholics see tradition and the official teachings of the popes and bishops as equal to or superior to the Bible. Catholics pray to God, Mary and the saints while evangelicals pray only to God. Still evangelicals and Catholics have many beliefs in common such as the Trinity and the virgin birth, the deity, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

What Are Their Needs?

Spaniards need to understand that they can have a personal love relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Christianity is not a set of rules or system of morality. Christians can know for certain that their sins are forgiven, and they have eternal life. According to Roman Catholic teaching, one cannot be assured of one's salvation.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to revive the Roman Catholic church in Puerto Rico so that it focuses on Jesus Christ.
Pray for Puerto Rican churches to be Christ centered rather than tradition centered.
Pray that the Lord sends disciple-makers to the Spanish people in Puerto Rico.
Pray for spiritual hunger and a discernment that will keep the Spanish people in Puerto Rico away from spiritual counterfeits.