“When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 19:33-34
The most recent census data (2023) indicates that 7.08% of South Carolina’s population is Hispanic, representing approximately 369,000 people. The Hispanic population in South Carolina grew by 56,180 people (16.3%) from 2022 to 2023. Since 2018, the Hispanic population has increased by 105,461 people (35.8%).
This is why almost every town, and certainly every city in South Carolina, has a community of mostly Spanish-speakers in their midst. Many times, they are networked tightly and help each other, usually by nationality but often simply Spanish-speaker to Spanish-speaker. In many of these families, the children who have been taught English in school are the major translators for the families when speaking to doctors, lawyers, and anyone else.
There are easy ways to engage with and minister to Spanish-speaking communities within your own town, city, or county.
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- If there is an apartment complex or migrant camp near you or with many Spanish-speakers, bring a Spanish-speaker with you and start conversations. That is probably the hardest one for Anglicans, but if you call us, we will help you.
- Most of our churches have no trouble engaging in cross-cultural ministries when their parishioners leave this country and head to another. When ministering to those in the Spanish-speaking community you can engage in cross-cultural ministry without leaving the area. With little effort, your parish can bring the Gospel to a community of people who speak little English – people who shop at the same stores you do and who send their children to the same schools your children attend.
- Currently there is one weekly Eucharist in Spanish being celebrated in our diocese. It’s held every Sunday at 5 p.m. at the Anglican Church of Saint John – Holy Trinity in Charleston. We would love to have you join us to worship and observe.
- In the coming months, two churches in Summerville will begin ministering to the Spanish-speaking populations of their own communities. They are planning to offer ESL classes and outreach efforts.
Could your church follow their lead? This ministry is not expensive. It’s just as time consuming as any other ministry. And when people start coming to your church who speak Spanish it’ll look a little bit more like heaven, won’t it?
If you have any questions or comments please contact me at (843) 801-5856 or Fr.dubay@gmail.com.
This report was written by the Rev. Canon David Dubay and was originally published in the Summer 2025 edition of the Jubilate Deo. View the Jubilate Deo.
