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Is Orlando the New Miami? Latin Americans Flock to Central Florida

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Latin Americans facing economic and political troubles in their own countries are increasingly finding refuge in Orlando, Florida. Churches there are reaching out to welcome these new immigrants.

The recent presidential impeachment in Brazil has led many Brazilians to snatch up property in central Florida.  

Financial instability in Venezuela and Puerto Rico is driving migration to the I-4 corridor as well. The Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration estimates that a thousand families relocate every month to Florida and especially to the central part of the state.

Churches like First Baptist Orlando are starting Hispanic ministries and adding Spanish-speaking services.  

At Iglesia El Calvario, Pastor Gabriel Salguero says new arrivals are making a difference.  

"They're faithful church attendees," he told CBN News. "They go to church and there's a lot of evangelicals and pentecostals in Puerto Rico and they want to continue worshipping in that tradition."

"And so they'll come to church two to three times a week. It's high church attendance and high church involvement," he continued. "They'll say, 'Hey, pastor I was an usher at my church, a deacon, I was a worship leader so how do I get involved?'"

"So I predict we're going to have a high increase in Puerto Rican pentecostals and evangelicals in the next three to five years, given the reality of the Puerto Rico economic crisis," he said.

At First Baptist Orlando, new immigrants are also quickly becoming involved. Spanish Ministry Pastor Israel Martin said a baby shower for expecting families in May drew 23 immigrant families.

The new immigrants also provide a bittersweet experience for Orlando churches, as they recognize that Latin American churches are losing members to the United States right now.

"We pray for Puerto Rico and we pray for Latin America because, although we're growing, our brother pastors and leaders are suffering," Salguero said.

"Their churches are emptying out, not because they don't love the church," he said. "It's because they can't find work or medical care or whatever the crisis that economics leads to."

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