The New York Times recently released a profile on Pastor Marcos Witt and the huge crowds he draws in to hear his worship music and messages. Witt shared the article on Twitter, noting, “A few months ago, I was surprised to receive a call from Marcela Valdes, identifying herself as a reporter for The New York Times Magazine. She asked me to write a profile about my ministry and career. That was the beginning of a journey that culminated in the publication of the article I am sharing with you today.” He also added, “P.S. I must confess that when I read the word ‘superstar,’ I felt uncomfortable. Those of us who serve Jesus know that He is the only bright and shining star, The Light of the world.” Originally born Jonathan Mark Witt Holder in San Antonio, Texas, Witt’s missionary parents brought him to Durango, Mexico, where he was raised as Marcos. At the age of 17, Witt combined his love of music and of Christ to serve the Lord. “From that day to this, it was all about, ‘How can I use music to let people know about the love of Christ?’” While attending Bible college in Texas, he became deeply involved in the Praise and Worship movement, which has its roots within the Pentecostal church. He focused his efforts on praise music in Spanish, with his breakout album in 1988 entitled “Adoremos (Let’s Adore).” He overcame the early prejudices of more conservative evangelicals, who saw his inclusion of instruments like the drum as “satanic.” He moved to Houston with his family to continue serving the Latino population, serving the Latino congregation of Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church until 2013. 

Witt is currently focused on his “América Ora y Adora” (America Prays and Adores) tour, which has now been through thirty cities since it started in 2022. In March, he performed for over 52,000 people in Mexico City in partnership with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. During his 40 years in ministry, Witt has brought his style of worship to many Anglo churches in an attempt to attract young Latinos. He encourages different innovations to maintain the younger Latinos in their Spanish-language churches. “We’re losing many of the young Hispanics, and the ones who stay leave for a church in English because their friends are there.” He stated contemporary services help to maintain the younger crowd. Despite the crowds he draws, Witt never wants to make things about him. “I’m going to get out onstage and get as small as I can so God can get as big as he can,” he said. 

 Witt’s efforts in the Latino community are important as they are the fastest-growing group of American evangelicals. More and more Latinos are leaving the Catholic church to join evangelical Protestant churches. The book Latino Protestants in America by Mark Mulder also noted that as a group, Latinos were more “religious” than their Anglo-Protestant and Catholic counterparts. They spend more time in the Bible, more time praying, and go to church more often. More and more churches are working to reach out to Latinos, which are the fastest-growing ethnic group in America. In a 2021 interview, Witt shared how important he felt the Hispanic community was to Christ. “It is time for the Hispanic community as a people to shine that light in a society that is becoming darker and darker. In the darkest of places is where the light shines the brightest. For many people, we are the only Jesus they will ever see,” he said.