From the Pulpit, New Moves To Change Machismo Culture

Hispanic Evangelical Pastors Try to Instill Respect for Women and Families
By Steven Vegh
Religion News Service
Saturday, September 26, 2009

VIRGINIA BEACH -- As the new pastor at Vino Nuevo Church, the Rev. Gladys Mejias-Ashmore has been teaching a lot about family, parenting -- and the dangers of machismo.

In Latino culture, the macho man looms large as boss of wife and family. But more than a few Hispanic evangelical pastors are teaching that machismo violates Christian norms for husbands and fathers.

It's a message Mejias-Ashmore said she never heard in church in her native Honduras. "I used to think the Christian let the man do whatever he wants -- even extramarital relationships." But after being "born again" and studying Bible passages on marriage, Mejias-Ashmore said she challenged her first husband about his drinking and adultery. the rest