| The Hispanic community is coming of age right at the time when futurists are saying that cultivating diversity and learning to live together on this small planet is the critical leadership issue of this time. Because diversity is the lifeblood of the Hispanic community, forging an identity has been an arduous and slow process. Identity and leadership are two areas critical to Hispanic leadership.;This project will initiate Encuentros (Encounters), a two-month process of coaching emerging Hispanic youth leaders in Springfield, Missouri, and surrounding area of the Midwest Latin District. These Encuentros will address two areas crucial in coaching the second- and third-generation of Hispanic leaders: self-concept and leadership development applicable to the Hispanic ministry context.;The Hispanic church needs a concept of leadership based on its cultural makeup. Most leadership models focus on skills, techniques, and outcomes, rather than on relationships and community. The Hispanic leadership model envisioned for the Hispanics will focus on leaders' relationships to God and to their community. The focus will be on the being rather than on the doing aspect of leadership.;This project brought qualitative and quantitative growth to participants. The project design---multiple efforts aimed at the two critical areas of leadership and participants---verified the need for a model of Hispanic leadership for Hispanic leaders in the Springfield, Missouri, and surrounding area. |
