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Consultation Held on Intercultural Church
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One day prior to the St Louis Summit, a consultation was convened to discuss the dynamics of helping guide churches toward increased intercultural (or 'multi-ethnic') effectiveness. This meeting was called in response to the growing interest and necessity of diversifying ministries in the increasingly diversified North American context. Read more.
Dr. David Bryant (back row, third from right) was our guest at the February 9th prayer and planning day for Ethnic Impact leaders who were able to attend.
This initial planning team from Portland met to lay the groundwork for a Mosaix Conference on multi-ethnic church, now scheduled for Nov 7,8 at Central Bible Church, Portland.
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New Research Project Underway
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We have embarked on a long-term research project to first identify, then understand, and finally open new ministry opportunities to those People Groups in the greater Portland/Seattle/Vancouver area. That project began before and continues now after the Summit.
To accomplish this, we are interested in volunteers who themselves are interested in a particular People Group. If you would like to find out more about a particular group in your area, or in your area of interest, we can help you get started, by providing training, assistance, and some helpful resources. Find out more.
"I often paint the picture to my hearers of a pile of butchered members of a body in a heap on the ground all trying to be “the best” hand or “best mouth” while unattached to the body. It makes a grotesque picture of Christ’s body to the unbelieving world. That imagery seems to wake up my listeners to how bad it looks when we are not united."
Alex Araujo
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First Steps in Crossing a Culture
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"It is easier to send money to a missionary overseas that to be a missionary here at home."
That comment was made by an honest participant at the recent Missions Fest Seattle.
One reason we find it difficult to cross-cultures locally is that we have gotten in the habit of associating with people we already know. We need help taking some first steps to get to know those from other cultural backgrounds.
For that reason, various members of Ethnic Impact have shared ways they can introduce others to various expressions of local ministry. Why not check out these Practical Ways to Keep Your Mission Vision Growing and choose one step that suits your interest?
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ARTICLE: Renewing Your Vision by Walking the Neighborhood
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In the early '80s, I visited a congregation that, in its younger days had spawned several church plants and promoted an aggressive outreach program in an urban area. Now, however, it sounded weary. "We cannot grow, because our parking lot is too small, and there is no more space for vehicles." Read this article by V. Bryan Harms from our Resource Page.
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Ethnic Harvest Briefing Held for Puget Sound, April 25th
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The Ethnic Harvest Briefing - 2008 version was held at Calvary Christian Assembly in Seattle on Saturday, April 25th, 2008 with more than 50 people in attendance. We heard some background information regarding the demographics of the Seattle area, and some of the impending changers, including an influx of Bhutanese, Burmese, Burundians and Iraqi's expected in the next two years or so. We also heard about activities in the East African, West African, Filipino, and Vietnamese communities, followed by opportunities for English Second Language (ESL) teaching and Lay Ministry training classes being offered to refugees/immigrants in the Renton/Tukwila/Kent area. This was followed by a lively networking time, in which a number of new contacts were made and some old ones reinvigorated.
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John Perkins Visits Seattle
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Dr. John Perkins and Tali Hairston, director of the John Perkins Center at SPU, field questions from a diversity of leaders from the Seattle area.
SPU desires to provide networking opportunity for various networks, colleges, and churches to collaborate on issues and projects dealing with reconciliation and community development. Our cities need a fresh touch of the whole gospel of Christ, where faith and good works are merged.
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Pastor Hears Missionary Call
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Pastor Truong Ta had heard of the many young workers from North Vietnam who were finding salvation in Jesus Christ. They were coming to work in the factories in Malaysian cities, and sending money home to their families. The harvest was ripe, but the workers few. Truong heard it once, then twice. And a third time.
It was on the fourth hearing that Pastor Truong could not resist any longer. Read the story.
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Languages Abound at Tacoma Breakfast
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"I am exalted among the nations!"
So declared the opening Scripture, and the morning of January 26th proved Psalm 46:11 to be true. A wonderful morning of cultural variety characterized the Celebration breakfast in Tacome, thanks to the able planning of Sigrun Freeman and her planning/worship team of Adam, Lahlae, Jonathan and Sherry. Urban Grace Church kindly hosted the meeting. See full story and pictures.
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