Marxist in what sense? I suppose it's Marxist in identifying class solidarity at the expense of the poor as an oppressive force. It need not embrace Marxism, however.

<<a personal relationship with Jesus, reading the Bible, prayer, appeal to these folks more than bringing down structures of oppression.>>

These things aren't mutually exclusive. Anyway, I'm definitely in favor of politicizing the poor. The problem is that politics, as Max Weber said, "is a strong and slow boring of hard boards." It can be very difficult and disheartening. So yes, people need personal spirituality as well.

Though traditionalists tend to valorize personal spirituality above all else. That is not the gospel. The gospel vision is of active solidarity with the poor and suffering in anticipation of their deliverance in the kingdom. Do you disagree?