Helping to plant and nurture reformed congregations in the twenty-first century means picturing church leaders across North America who are native to Asia, Africa and Latin America. The seminary's students come from 43 different countries, ranging from Australia to Zaire. Nonwhite students make up 40 percent of the student body, and South Koreans and Korean-Americans are second only to Anglos among ethnic groups at Westminster. The demographics of the city show that the Hispanic community is doubling every year.
Politicians are well aware of the change though the churches have been slow to respond.
From Spanish Harlem Ortiz himself is ethnic Puerto Rican, born and raised in New York City. He served in the Marines and later became a Christian at age 30. He is constantly sought out by students and pastors from all over the world. In 1986, Ortiz was recruited by the late Harvie Conn to Westminster from inner-city Chicago, where he and others, including Dr. Susan Baker, adjunct lecturer in practical theology at Westminster, planted five churches, two Christian schools and a family outreach center. She notes that seminary students need to understand their contexts.