CLARKS SUMMIT, Pa.—Sixteen church leaders have met on the campus of Baptist Bible Seminary for a discussion forum on multiethnic, multicultural, and intercultural church ministries.
The group discussed three aspects of multicultural ministry: the Scriptural commands and examples for Christians to give the Gospel to the “ethnos” (people groups) at home and overseas, the adjustments we need to make to think and reach out crossculturally, and the potential results of reaching the world by allowing God to direct the ethnic people who live in America to spread the Gospel to the unsaved in their homelands (where Americans are restricted.)
Representatives from six ethnic backgrounds and various levels of multiethnic ministries attended the event. Some had years of experience, but all demonstrated a hunger to learn.
Ken Davis, director of Project Jerusalem for Baptist Bible Seminary, reported that the United States will become 50 percent ethnic and 50 percent Anglo by 2042, a projection that has recently been moved up from the previous date of 2056.
“The nations have come to us,” said Eldon Brock, founder and director of Ethnic to Ethnic Ministries, Inc. and organizer of the conference. “God is giving us the opportunity to give the Gospel to the world without leaving home.”
Formerly a GARBC pastor and director of Lake Ann Baptist Camp, Eldon Brock has spent his retirement years motivating churches toward international ministry. “I have realized that I am like the dog that chased the train but it was too big for him,” Brock said of his vision for a conference to motivate churches to make needed changes in missions outreach. “I see my role as helping to get something started and then watch others develop it. Pray with me for wisdom to know when and how to release this to others who have abilities I don’t have.”
As existing churches age and gentrify, Brock is interested in challenging them to welcome the diverse community next door. “Maybe the church should not move away,” Brock said. “They can be revived as they welcome other cultures into one fellowship.
- Read more about Eldon Brock and Ethnic to Ethnic Ministries, Inc. at www.EthnictoEthnic.org and EthnictoEthnic.blogspot.com. Contact Eldon Brock at eldon26@gmail.com.
