GLAMA is possibly the most diverse area, ethnically and religiously, in the world. Hundreds of thousands of diaspora people work, worship, and raise their children in our diverse megacity. This is the first comprehensive report to portray the breadth of this diversity along with a historical and religious background for each region of origin.  

    The Hart-Celler Immigration and Nationality Act, which abolished the previous policy favoring Western Europe immigration, was adopted by the US in 1965. The ethnic landscape of America was forever changed through a new influx of immigration from every region of the world. Today 56% of the population speaks a language at home other than English and 40% of  Angelinos are foreign born. (US Census 2010).  

    The very nature of immigration causes many immigrants to shift ethnic boundaries, which  are broader in the diaspora than back home. The “people group” they are part of back home is not necessarily the “people group” they are a part of in Los Angeles. Los Angeles is not a melting pot, rather it resembles an ethnic stew or salad, with the ingredients that retain their distinctive character within a larger whole.

   Religious Diversity

    GLAMA has over 500 Buddhist centers, 300 Islamic centers, 83 Jewish centers, 70 Hindu centers, and 15 Sikh centers. The campus religious center of USC has listed participating groups from Atheists to Zoroastrians.

   Intended Audience

    While anyone with interest in diaspora populations will enjoy Ethno LA, the book was created with Evangelical Christians in mind. American Christians are some of the world largest supporters of cross-cultural missions, and often travel for days to minister among “exotic” ethnic groups overseas. A ride on buses or subways in any major city displays the cross- cultural mission opportunities that exist in America's backyard. American Christians are now realizing that the people groups they have visited on missions trips often have a significant population in GLAMA and other cities.

    Many Evangelical denominations, churches, and ministries first consider cross-cultural ministries in the US when an immigrant Christian visits them, asking for help to start a church among their people – usually a group of people who are already Christians. The Christian organization desires to expand their “ethnic” ministries, so they support the new church and begin to “reach” the ethnic group for Christ. While this type of work is certainly good, our goal is to encourage Christians to proactively assess the people around them, see where the greatest spiritual needs are, and begin strategic ministries among migrants.

    The research project behind Ethno LA was designed to shed light on the migrants among us, revealing the identities and lives of the largest and most significant peoples in GLAMA. We are encouraging people to pray, which will play a vital role in starting new ministries among the peoples described. Let us not say, “We didn't know they were here.”

   The Geographic Scope

    GLAMA encompasses Los Angeles , Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties, and includes over 18 million people living in an area covering 4,850 square miles (Wikipedia). This area includes 164 incorporated cities and 768 designated neighborhoods, or communities.

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