Resources & Tools

Central America

Authors

Topics

After 500 Years: The Journey Home

Type: VHS
Author: Latin American Council of Churches
( Central America , Culture , General , Social Justice , South America )

Seeks to communicate what if feels like to be part of the peoples (of Central and South America) who have received the impact of 500 years of domination by outside forces. It also tries to give a sense of what is involved in rebuilding the brokenness that has resulted over these 500 years.

Basic Ecclesial Communities: The Evangelization of the Poor

Type: BOOK
Author: Barreiro, Alvaro
( Central America , General , Hispanic Ministry , New Members , North America , Outreach , Poverty , Theology , Welcoming / Reaching Outside the Church )

The birth of the Basic Ecclesial Communities is a startling example of what can happen when the Church takes seriously the Lord's command to preach the good news to the poor. Seeks to promote practical pastoral experiments among and with marginalized Christians within North American society. Inspiration from Latin America!

Business of Hunger, The

Type: VHS
Author:
( Africa , Asia , Caribbean , Central America , General , Global , Hunger , Mission , Outreach , United States )

In many Third World countries, cash crops are exported while the poor go hungry. This phenomenon, one of the major causes of world hunger, is examined in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the U.S.A.

Central America Youth Close-Up Part 2: Honduras and Nicaragua

Type: VHS
Author:
( Central America , Culture , Drama , General , Poverty , Youth )

Honduras: Carlos - Poverty has not kept Carlos from studying to be a teacher. Through a theater group he reaches out to neighbors displaced by war and economic development Nicaragua: Balty - A young medical student works in a war zone near the Honduran border. She finds excitement relating her faith to a political commitment in a revolutionary society.

Christ in a Poncho: Witnesses to the Nonviolent Struggles in Latin America

Type: BOOK
Author: Esquivel, Adolfo Perez
( Central America , General , Peace , Violence )

Written by the 1980 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, the book offers an invaluable introduction to nonviolence in Latin America. It includes a biographical sketch of Adolfo Perez Esquivel, his 'ant and elephant' essay, and concrete case histories which portray the urgency and difficulty of the nonviolent witness in that beleaguered region.

Cry of My People, The: Out of Captivity in Latin America

Type: BOOK
Author: Arias and Arias
( Central America , Christian Life , Culture , General , Justice , Poverty , Social Justice , South America , Women )

Explains the present-day realities of Latin America (the authors are Bolivian citizens). Explores the staggering poverty and injustice, the meaning of development, the causes of underdevelopment, the role of women, and human rights. Also covers the role of Christianity.

De colores Means All of Us: Latina Views for a Multi-Colored Century

Type: BOOK
Author: Martinez, Elizabeth
( Central America , Community , Economy , General , Justice , Poverty , Racism , Social Justice , South America , Women )

Unique chicana voice of Ms. Martinez arises from more than 30 years of experience in the movements of civil rights, women's lib, and Latino/a empowerment. With sections on women's organizing, struggles for economic justice, and the Latino/a youth movements, appeals to readers and activists seeking to organize for the future and build new movements for liberation.

El Amancer: The Dawn

Type: VHS
Author: Spiritquest Productions
( Central America , Christian Life , Church Growth , Culture , General , United Methodist )

English language video about the Iglesia de Cristo in Nicaragua - the only Christian denomination founded by Nicraguans. It is now in covenant relationship with the Uncasville United Methodist Church in CT and others. Hear their story and learn how you can help.

Encounter With Christ

Type: VHS
Author: Advance # 025100
( Caribbean , Central America , General , Global , Mission , Outreach , United Methodist )

Advance #025100. Plea to support this mission especially in Latin America and th Caribbean. Video explains the program of this creative mission and shows how you can support it.

Fight in the Fields: Cesar Chavez and the Farmworkers Movement

Type: BOOK
Author: Ferriss and Sandoval
( Central America , Change , General , Justice , Social Justice , United States )

The inspiring, controversial life of a man and a movement that brought civil rights to America's migrant farm workers.

Images of the Church in Mission

Type: BOOK
Author: Driver, John
( Bible , Central America , Church History , General , Mission , South America , Visioning )

Studies 12 biblical images for understanding a church more in harmony with God's missionary purpose for his people. Communicates with power, reflecting the sense of identity in early Christian communities. This long-time teacher in Latin America explores images of pilgrimage, God's new order, peoplehood, and transformation.

Mission Between the Times: Essays on the Kingdom

Type: BOOK
Author: Padilla, C. Rene
( Central America , Evangelism , General , Hispanic Ministry , Mission , Theology )

Written by a premier representative of orthodox evangelism in Latin America, offers a Latin American perspective on the different aspects of the mission of the church. Valuable to anyone interested in missiology, the church in Latin America, or an evangelical perspective on the issues that have given rise to liberation theology.

New Hope in Central America

Type: VHS
Author:
( Central America , General , Mission , Outreach , Poverty )

5 nations have become a focus of attention for many North American Christians in recent years. Provides the kind of background on the region that is crucial for understanding the present situations. Offers an informed glimpse into the conditions of poverty, injustice and war in which many Central Americans have lived for years and shows that despite their great suffering, their hopes for peace and justice are growing. Includes Historical background, nation-by-nation review, influence of the...

Opening the Door to Spiritual Growth

Type: VHS
Author: Iglesia de Cristo
( Central America , Church Growth , General , Global , Mission )

This presentation, made in Portsmouth NH, is by Rev. Benjamin Cortes, of La Iglesia de Cristo, in Nicaragua. October, 1994.

Partners in the Mighty Works of God: A Manual for Non-Hispanic Churches in Ministry with Hispanics

Type: BOOK
Author: Harris and Harris
( Central America , General , Hispanic Ministry , Ministry , Mission , Multicultural , Outreach , South America , United Methodist , Visioning , Welcoming / Reaching Outside the Church )

A manual for non-Hispanic churches in ministry with Hispanics. For those who want to start and/or strengthen their ministries with Hispanics. Delves into issues of community assessment, racism and its impact on Hispanics, stewardship and shared space and leadership. Follows the methodology of the National Plan for Hispanic Ministry for developing ministries; See-discern-act.

Pentecost Journey

Type: VHS
Author: Trevino-Teddlie, Jennie
( Central America , Culture , General , Hispanic Ministry , Ministry , Outreach , Pentecost )

This video and planning guide helps local churches understand issues related to developing ministry with Hispanics. It also deals with stereotypes and the diversity of the Hispanic culture as a whole. Pentecost Journey is designed for congregational leaders who want to start a ministry with Hispanics and conference leaders with responsibility for ministry with Hispanics. 5 sessions (2-3 hours each) with leader's guide.

Return of the Maya

Type: VHS
Author: De Graaf and Mann
( Central America , Culture , General , Identity , Mission , North America , Refugees , Social Justice )

A millennium ago the Maya were one of the most advanced civilizations on earth, lords of a vast empire. In the last decade, more than 100,000 have fled their homes in Guatemala to escape violent repression. Portrays the plight of the Mayans and tells the unusual story of how these refugees, many now living in Mexico, are rediscovering their heritage and identity.

Sisters Listening to Sisters: Women of the World Share Stories of Personal Empowerment

Type: BOOK
Author: Andrews, Peggy
( Africa , Asia , Central America , Economy , Gender Issues , General , Justice , Poverty , Social Justice , South America , Women )

Explore the universality of women's struggle for empowerment. Collection of stories about the most serious issues in women's consciousness-raising. Stories are from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the United States about women of varied backgrounds.

Why We Care About the Church in Mexico

Type: VHS
Author: UMComm
( Central America , Culture , Environment , General , Homeless , Mission , North America , Poverty )

Meet members of 3 local churches of the Methodist Church of Mexico who are addressing issues and problems where they are. Issues include hunger/poverty, border issues and homelessness, preserving indigenous culture and environmental integrity in the midst of outside influence.