ASSIMILATING TO THE PURITAN NATION:

Though the majority of American Latinos still identify as Catholic, the percentage has dropped from 67 percent in 2006 to about 59 percent in 2013, according to a Pew Research Center study released last year. Meanwhile, the number of Latinos who identify as Evangelical rose by more than a quarter -- up from 14 percent in 2006 to 18 percent in 2013, making Latino evangelicals the fastest-growing religious group in the country.

Locally, Latinos who now call themselves Evangélicos say there are several reasons they're happier at their new churches: being able to participate in spiritual practices, gatherings and festivities that connect to the cultural traditions of their home countries; hearing messages of hope that help them rise above hardships; and finding ways to become leaders as immigrants in a new land.

"There is a lot more flexibility and freedom (than in Catholicism) in terms of starting new churches and leadership roles," said Jonathan Calvillo, a researcher at UC Irvine studying Latino Evangelical congregations in California. "You can go from leading a Bible study to being a pastor in less than a year, which creates new pathways for gaining respect and status previously not available to them."

Mike Stewart, a pastor at Foothill Baptist Church in Los Altos and executive director of missions for the Central Coast Baptist Association, based in Santa Clara, said Latinos also find a personal link to community in Evangelical churches.

"People are coming to a new area and there are a lot of changes for them," he said. "These churches allow them to connect with people they didn't know, but also see people from home."

Also, faith is expressed through joyful, exuberant celebrations accompanied by lively music, and singing that are integral to their culture.

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