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Embracing the New Samaria: Opening Our Eyes to Our Multiethnic Future
What does the Bible tell us about ethnic diversity? How far do we need to travel to fulfill the Great Commission?
Walk out your front door and you'll find our "new Samaria"—a land of immigrants, refugees, and people of countless cultures and backgrounds longing for us to welcome them and to share the good news.
Dr. Alejandro Mandes has dedicated his life to helping bridge cultural gaps in the church. He shares his vision for the church "to see, love, reach, and ultimately be the new Samaria in a way that brings true transformation to our churches and communities." A Latino and a native of the US-Mexico borderland, he has traveled around the world to understand cultures, equip thousands of leaders, and befriend influencers within the emerging immigrant church.
With the ultimate goal of unity, Embracing the New Samaria will help you to consider new ways to do church that accommodates multiethnicity, community development, and theological diversity. You'll see that Mandes is a teacher who admonishes out of love and trains from a huge, passionate heart. You'll be challenged with thoughtful questions, hear memorable stories, learn key strategies, and make plans to equip those around you to impact your changing community in loving, tangible, and practical ways.
It's time for all of us to catch the vision that Mandes presents, to make disciples and love our neighbors, so that we embrace a great community of every tribe, language, and tongue.
Walk out your front door and you'll find our "new Samaria"—a land of immigrants, refugees, and people of countless cultures and backgrounds longing for us to welcome them and to share the good news.
Dr. Alejandro Mandes has dedicated his life to helping bridge cultural gaps in the church. He shares his vision for the church "to see, love, reach, and ultimately be the new Samaria in a way that brings true transformation to our churches and communities." A Latino and a native of the US-Mexico borderland, he has traveled around the world to understand cultures, equip thousands of leaders, and befriend influencers within the emerging immigrant church.
With the ultimate goal of unity, Embracing the New Samaria will help you to consider new ways to do church that accommodates multiethnicity, community development, and theological diversity. You'll see that Mandes is a teacher who admonishes out of love and trains from a huge, passionate heart. You'll be challenged with thoughtful questions, hear memorable stories, learn key strategies, and make plans to equip those around you to impact your changing community in loving, tangible, and practical ways.
It's time for all of us to catch the vision that Mandes presents, to make disciples and love our neighbors, so that we embrace a great community of every tribe, language, and tongue.
220 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 7, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 10, 2021
Alejandro Mandes inspires us towards a beautiful, powerful and biblical vision for multiethnic ministry all while deftly navigating the difficult tensions that often accompany our pursuit of a diverse church. I was deeply encouraged and I highly recommend it!
November 8, 2024
The content is great, the format is simple, but it lacks some depth to further explain theology or practicality. But the message is on point for any church trying to figure out multiethnic church. A "must read" for all city Christians and church leaders for sure.
October 25, 2022
For many years now I have been documenting the demographic changes that are happening in the United States, especially among Hispanics (which Mandes documents as well). This has become a political hot topic in our society and in the church. However, I have come to the same main conclusion that Mandes shares in this book. The church has a great opportunity to engage in what he calls "the new Samaria" ("Samerica") and properly so. It goes back to John 6 when Jesus sees the Samaritans as the harvest. This "new Samaria" is made up of not only Hispanics but those "living among us who have been marginalized, ignored, treated unjustly, or looked down upon." These are the "immigrants, refugees, the poor, ethnic minorities, the people who have been deemed invisible or "surplus population" (30). They are the ones that we fly over as we go to other countries on mission trips. Mandes writes, "I have been asked many times by people in the margins why it is that many Christians feel the need to fly across the globe to interact with people groups that can be found on the side of the city!" (32).
Why do we do this? He says it is because of our P3, prejudice, privilege and preference. This is what keeps us from engaging the eighty-five unreached people groups in the United States (32). This book attempts to help us see this great harvest and move us to engage them with gospel and social action (loving them). Our mandate from Jesus to his church is to go and share the Gospel with all "ethnos", all ethnicities regardless of our prejudice, privilege or preference. When we do, we will see a multiethnic church like the one in Acts 13 which will culminate in the great worship in Revelation 7. The Kingdom of God will be multiethnic.
The book is divided in four parts: See the New Samaria, Love the New Samaria, Reach the New Samaria and Be the New Samaria. Each chapter is supported with examples from Mandes who has been involved in church planting and reaching marginalized communities for a long time. At the end it offers a reflection section that begins with a prayer and the H3: Head work, Heart work and Hands work. It gives a list of resources to dig in to the chapter topics.
This is probably the best written work that I have read, and in particular by a Hispanic American. It is a well-written and well-balanced view of how to reach this "new Samaria". It is not a how-to book but it offers a good starting point for anyone who wants to engage the "new Samaria." Like Mandes, I believe this is what we are called (the Church) to do and ignoring this will not change what God wants to do with us or in spite of us. I agree with Mandes that there is an urgency.
"Because of the trajectory of this country and our quickly changing demographics, we don't have a lot of time to ponder the implications of these truths for the evangelical Christian church. There is urgency in this matter. The church has lost its lamp. Many Christian leaders know this is true and have struggled to figure out how to change course. But spending more money on marketing or fine-tuning our programming is not going to solve the problem. We have focused too much on ourselves and missed the blessing of the "other." This is not about politics or economics, right or wrong. This is reality. The question really is, Are we going to be the church that will not fail? (193).
Just as we are called to go to the "ends of the earth", we are also called to the Lord's witnesses in our own Samaria. As an immigrant Hispanic born in El Salvador whom the Lord has redeemed in this country, like Mandes, I believe that we need to see these changes not as political issue but as missions issue. To remain passive is not an option, to pray for more workers without making ourselves available (we the Church) won't do. It is time to be obedient.
Mandes writing is clear, practical, bold and direct.
According to Mandes, the church we have drifted from our calling to be outward focused:
"We turn to politics for solutions and hope that if we elect more politicians to advance our moral agenda, we will see revival....However as a nation and as the evangelical movement, we are not seeing the changing mission field because we are looking inward and backward, not forward." (62-62).
"The problem is, usually our plans are too small. Not only has Jesus clearly called us to open our eyes and see the harvest, but he's also called us to look to where the Father is at work. When was the last time you asked yourself, Where is God at work around me? What if this demographic shift is from God? What if this is the Father at work, and what if we should see the movement of people around the world as his doing? If this is the case, then reacting in fear, resisting, and trying to limit their growth is actively working against God." (75)
In my conversations with leaders I have shared what I think about the demographic explosion in our country. I have to the same conclusion as Mandes. Having failed to take the Gospel to the nations, God has brought the nations to us. I also believe that the purpose is so that they can become the next missionary force going out to the take the Gospel to the ends of the Earth.
"What if this growth is part of God's plan to reach the world? I believe God is exercising his prerogative to determine a nation's boundaries and the time of their position or privilege in the world." (76)
"I truly believe it is by God's design that people from all over the world are living among us. This is the Father at work. Are we ready, as Jesus said, to work where the Father is at work?" (77)
"By 2065, nearly 20 percent of people in the country will have been born outside of American borders.' This phenomenon is not unique to America; it is happening all over the world. If we as a church are not reaching immigrants where they are at, in all the messiness of their circumstances, then we are missing out on a my heart for spectacular missional opportunity to love and reach our neighbors." (106)
Often we don't want to engage with other cultures because we don't feel we are competent. Mandes believes is simpler, and I agree with him. The issue is more with our willingness than with anything else.
"We don't need a special divining rod to find the way through the maze of culture. The solutions are:
The solutions are (1) trusting that the Jesus we see in the New Testament had that figured out, (2) putting Christ above culture, and (3) recognizing that man-made culture does not trump the culture of Christ. This requires cultural humility and a measure of adventure. Above all, we need to be willing to submit our way to his way." (147)
At the end of the book, Mandes offers seven multiethnic models. These are very general and they don't offer where to begin. I don't think these are the only models. As we engage in becoming multiethnic we will learn what works and what doesn't. Mandes doesn't define what a multiethnic church is, but Mark Deymaz in his book Ethnic Blends (This book Is worth reading. Deymaz has is a pioneer in multiethnic church planting.) talks about 20% of the church being from a different ethnic background. The goal would be that no group has a 50% majority. I think this depends on the location of the church. The church should reflect the demographics of the city.
Where do we start? Mandes suggests we start by asking ourselves these questions:
"Who is not represented? Who are we missing? Whatever your answer, start there." (174)
I agree.
Why do we do this? He says it is because of our P3, prejudice, privilege and preference. This is what keeps us from engaging the eighty-five unreached people groups in the United States (32). This book attempts to help us see this great harvest and move us to engage them with gospel and social action (loving them). Our mandate from Jesus to his church is to go and share the Gospel with all "ethnos", all ethnicities regardless of our prejudice, privilege or preference. When we do, we will see a multiethnic church like the one in Acts 13 which will culminate in the great worship in Revelation 7. The Kingdom of God will be multiethnic.
The book is divided in four parts: See the New Samaria, Love the New Samaria, Reach the New Samaria and Be the New Samaria. Each chapter is supported with examples from Mandes who has been involved in church planting and reaching marginalized communities for a long time. At the end it offers a reflection section that begins with a prayer and the H3: Head work, Heart work and Hands work. It gives a list of resources to dig in to the chapter topics.
This is probably the best written work that I have read, and in particular by a Hispanic American. It is a well-written and well-balanced view of how to reach this "new Samaria". It is not a how-to book but it offers a good starting point for anyone who wants to engage the "new Samaria." Like Mandes, I believe this is what we are called (the Church) to do and ignoring this will not change what God wants to do with us or in spite of us. I agree with Mandes that there is an urgency.
"Because of the trajectory of this country and our quickly changing demographics, we don't have a lot of time to ponder the implications of these truths for the evangelical Christian church. There is urgency in this matter. The church has lost its lamp. Many Christian leaders know this is true and have struggled to figure out how to change course. But spending more money on marketing or fine-tuning our programming is not going to solve the problem. We have focused too much on ourselves and missed the blessing of the "other." This is not about politics or economics, right or wrong. This is reality. The question really is, Are we going to be the church that will not fail? (193).
Just as we are called to go to the "ends of the earth", we are also called to the Lord's witnesses in our own Samaria. As an immigrant Hispanic born in El Salvador whom the Lord has redeemed in this country, like Mandes, I believe that we need to see these changes not as political issue but as missions issue. To remain passive is not an option, to pray for more workers without making ourselves available (we the Church) won't do. It is time to be obedient.
Mandes writing is clear, practical, bold and direct.
According to Mandes, the church we have drifted from our calling to be outward focused:
"We turn to politics for solutions and hope that if we elect more politicians to advance our moral agenda, we will see revival....However as a nation and as the evangelical movement, we are not seeing the changing mission field because we are looking inward and backward, not forward." (62-62).
"The problem is, usually our plans are too small. Not only has Jesus clearly called us to open our eyes and see the harvest, but he's also called us to look to where the Father is at work. When was the last time you asked yourself, Where is God at work around me? What if this demographic shift is from God? What if this is the Father at work, and what if we should see the movement of people around the world as his doing? If this is the case, then reacting in fear, resisting, and trying to limit their growth is actively working against God." (75)
In my conversations with leaders I have shared what I think about the demographic explosion in our country. I have to the same conclusion as Mandes. Having failed to take the Gospel to the nations, God has brought the nations to us. I also believe that the purpose is so that they can become the next missionary force going out to the take the Gospel to the ends of the Earth.
"What if this growth is part of God's plan to reach the world? I believe God is exercising his prerogative to determine a nation's boundaries and the time of their position or privilege in the world." (76)
"I truly believe it is by God's design that people from all over the world are living among us. This is the Father at work. Are we ready, as Jesus said, to work where the Father is at work?" (77)
"By 2065, nearly 20 percent of people in the country will have been born outside of American borders.' This phenomenon is not unique to America; it is happening all over the world. If we as a church are not reaching immigrants where they are at, in all the messiness of their circumstances, then we are missing out on a my heart for spectacular missional opportunity to love and reach our neighbors." (106)
Often we don't want to engage with other cultures because we don't feel we are competent. Mandes believes is simpler, and I agree with him. The issue is more with our willingness than with anything else.
"We don't need a special divining rod to find the way through the maze of culture. The solutions are:
The solutions are (1) trusting that the Jesus we see in the New Testament had that figured out, (2) putting Christ above culture, and (3) recognizing that man-made culture does not trump the culture of Christ. This requires cultural humility and a measure of adventure. Above all, we need to be willing to submit our way to his way." (147)
At the end of the book, Mandes offers seven multiethnic models. These are very general and they don't offer where to begin. I don't think these are the only models. As we engage in becoming multiethnic we will learn what works and what doesn't. Mandes doesn't define what a multiethnic church is, but Mark Deymaz in his book Ethnic Blends (This book Is worth reading. Deymaz has is a pioneer in multiethnic church planting.) talks about 20% of the church being from a different ethnic background. The goal would be that no group has a 50% majority. I think this depends on the location of the church. The church should reflect the demographics of the city.
Where do we start? Mandes suggests we start by asking ourselves these questions:
"Who is not represented? Who are we missing? Whatever your answer, start there." (174)
I agree.
October 28, 2021
This is a powerful message to the evangelical church about the need to embrace the growing cultural diversity of America. The author reminds us that we are to preach the gospel in Jerusalem, Samaria and the end of the earth. Because of the changing dynamics of America, Mandes calls America the "New Samaria" or "Samerica." Essentially, this mission field has come to our doorstep. Our churches need to reflect our nation's diversity, rather than being monocultural.
June 6, 2023
This book is a call for the church to intentionally embrace the multiethnic future of the church, both as a vision in Revelation and as the demographics shift towards majority of the population being multiethnic by as soon as 2065. The author does not take a political stance, but in many ways challenges the conservative views on social justice and racial disparities. However, he does bring up the fact that the justice theme is strong in relation to what God desires His people to do, specifically in Isaiah.
Main theme of the book is GC3. Meaning some churches focus on Great Commission - reaching out, evangelizing, others focus more on Great commandment - so doing social work in the city, but authors suggest that to do both and strive for Great community, which comes as a pathway to and a result of the first two commandments.
Main theme of the book is GC3. Meaning some churches focus on Great Commission - reaching out, evangelizing, others focus more on Great commandment - so doing social work in the city, but authors suggest that to do both and strive for Great community, which comes as a pathway to and a result of the first two commandments.
December 6, 2022
As a native of Laredo, Texas, with roots from before the region was part of the US, Mandes brings a unique perspective to the continuing discussion about building diverse churches. So much of what I've read recently has been from Black writers; it was good to hear a Latino voice. While I agreed with much of what Mandes says, I didn't necessarily resonate with his presentation style. But that is actually not a bad thing. Being part of a church in the New Samaria means we'll all have to put aside personal preferences sometimes. One of the strongest parts of the book were the stories Mandes tells about churches who have been transformed as their bodies become more diverse, stories that hopefully will motivate readers to action.
March 10, 2026
I loved the pastoral heart of the author and his desire to love and serve the lost. Given shifting demographics, he encourages Christians to love, serve, and reach those in their communities that may be different than them, and to see diversity not as a threat but as something that forces us to constantly come back to our need to keep Jesus at the center, rather than elevating our own culture or preferences.
Want to Read
October 1, 2021Great I won the giveaway, can't wait to start reading
October 9, 2021
Interesting read
November 2, 2021
Just what I needed at this point in the life of my church!
May 18, 2022
In my opinion, this book is excellent. The shared personal stories enhance my reading experience and added to the message of the book. Thank you Dr Mendes for allowing our Master to fill you with His Spirit and passion toward bringing this needed message to fruition. You’ve enlightened me with this treasured information. Highly recommended.
March 14, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews