Unifying Many Cultures in One Place

Visiting the Global Mall

The Third Annual Ethnic Leaders Consultation gathered in Atlanta, GA this week (March 6-9) to gain perspective on what God is doing among Fellowship of Grace Brethren Ethnic Ministries. Jesus & Rosa Munoz served as host and hostess for our gathering. Several FGBC organizations helped facilitate the event: GBIF, Grace Seminary, & Encompass World Partners.

The Ethnic Leaders Consultation gathers church planters to connect, to draw encouragement, and to refresh one another in the Lord. This gathering will be the first for the wives to attend with their husbands.

Praying for Encompass World Partners new offices

The ethnic groups represented include, American Indians from the Navajo Nation--Arnold & Bessie Betoney and Daron Butler; Haitians--Luc Nonorme, Abel Pierre, & Henock Samuel; African Americans--Steven & Rosie Joyce; Latins--Jesus & Rosa Munoz, Javier & Pilar Forero, Gerardo & Tita Leiton, Jose & Migdalia Marquez, Sameul Diaz, Alfredo & Anna Vega , Martin Guerena, & Phil Guerena; Anglos--Melissa Butler, Brian & Tammy Bauman and Jay & Jan Bell. 

Helping the event with seminars and encouragement were Dave Guiles, Executive Director of Encompass World Partners; Dr. Tom Stalter & Dr. Jeff Gill from Grace Seminary. We were privileged to have Jon Stallsmith from JIQ share too.

 

Praying for the wives of the pastors

The Ethnic leaders took a tour of a Hindu Temple sharing and praying about the need to reach the nations for Christ. Dr. Stalter guided everyone in intercultural principles regarding worldviews and major religions. Dr. Jeff Gill offered the opportunity for online theological education and inquired about how to make it accessible to ethnic pastors. Dr Dave Guiles challenged the group to lead change by looking to God first, trusting yourself less, and persevering in what God has called you to do. Jon Stallsmith provided insights on how to reach out to Muslims with the love of Christ so that each becomes a fully devoted follower of Christ.

Please pray for the ethnic leaders as they return home with so much information and need to get ready for Sunday. May God the Holy Spirit distill the next action for each one personally to pursue so that God is glorified.

Babel in Atlanta

The nations converge in Atlanta. Today we experienced diversity on a grand scale. The Ethnic Leaders Conference traveled around NE Atlanta along the Buford Highway taking in the sites, sounds, and foods of the cultures in the neighborhood.

Thanks to TheodoreWLee

We experienced the cultures of the Buddhist, Hindu, and followers of Santa Muerte in our travels today. Overall, I was overwhelmed with the lostness of people. God desires glory from the nations. What a great opportunity to reach the nations for Christ.

I am convinced that Doraville, GA, a suburb of NE Atlanta is a prime place to reach the nations for Christ. May God be glorified in this endeavor. Please pray for the many pieces to the transition of offices from Winona Lake, IN to Atlanta, GA. 

You can see a quick glimpse of our travels via pictures on my photostream

Georgia on my mind

Arrived yesterday in Atlanta from Akron-Canton after a 1-hour 20-minute flight. We left the snow covered fields where flurries chased us out of Northeast Ohio. We landed in 60 degree sunshine and light winds.

The people of Atlanta were wrapped in winter gear whereas Melissa and I breezed into the MARTA train with light jackets and big smiles. The MARTA is the transit line from the airport to Five Points in downtown Atlanta and from the hub to many parts of Atlanta in the inner belt.

I spoke up to a young African American man who sat near us to strike up a conversation. He just returned from Miami on a trip and commented how "cold" it was. "Perspective," he said, "you guys come from the cold near Cleveland and I came from the heat of Miami." With a grin and light conversation, he told us about the MARTA lines and when we entered downtown to be ready for lots of people to cram into the trains. He wished us a great trip and waved farewell at the Chamblee station. "You've got one more stop to go," he said. Nice young man who treated us with respect and kindness. May the Lord grant him success in doing godly things

We arrived at the end of the Gold Line of the MARTA, Doraville station. All along the route we witnessed the diverse landscape. We traveled through graffiti-filled walls and the tenement buildings in the Southside of Atlanta, then saw the opulence of glass-shimmering windows of the downtown, through the assorted ethnic signs of businesses all along the way. We sped pass the buildup of rush hour traffic, making stops along the way and hearing disparate languages in the seats around us.

I was especially struck by the stoic stares as people from different cultures sat together in available seats nearby. When asking for an open seat, a hand gesture towards the open seat and a quick smile were mimed. The seat was granted with a quick smile and a nod. City life! I enjoy the city.

After getting settled into the hotel, Jay & Jan Bell with Arnold & Bessie Betoney we ventured out to eat at a Hispanic eatery, Rincon Latino. I ordered the Chicken Salvadorian-style with fried plantains, rice, beans, slice of tomato, and a quarter slice of lime. Excellent! Our waitress offered either corn or flour tortillas. I asked for both!