Updated Monday, April 21, 2008

Missions: a multi-cultural ministry

By Milton A. Hollifield Jr.

BSC Executive Director-Treasurer

In 10 years the Apostle Paul established churches in four provinces of the Roman Empire: Galatia, Macedonia, Achaia and Asia. Archeological research confirms that prior to A.D. 47 no church existed in these regions. Yet, after A.D. 57, Paul's work was ready to be handed over to other church leaders (Acts 20:24-38). These regions and people groups were considered foreign and unclean by the Jews of Paul's day, but he was commissioned by God to go and break down the cultural barriers in the name of Jesus Christ. The Gentiles would now be numbered among the people of God - just like the Israelites of old - and given full rights as the sons and daughters of God.

The Great Commission was not easy for Jews to obey. Even the Apostle Peter struggled with getting the gospel to Gentiles in Caesarea until God gave him a vision that Cornelius was his brother in Christ (Acts 10). Later, Peter was rebuked by Paul because he lapsed back into his prejudice and fear of other cultures in Galatia (Gal. 2:11-14).

It is always difficult to break out of racial prejudice and the tendency to befriend those just like us. Yet, as those who are called to serve Christ's church here in North Carolina, we must face the fact that the world is now coming to us in record numbers, and we must break free of any remaining cultural barriers and extend our hearts and hands to all people in the name of the Lord Jesus.

According to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Hispanic population in our state has increased almost 400 percent during the last decade. Over 180 language groups exist in our state. Native Americans are growing in record numbers. African Americans are slowly beginning to worship in NC Baptist congregations, but outreach to the inner cities of our state must be intensified as the gospel is the ultimate solution to all problems associated with poverty and urban violence.

The Apostle Paul was committed to a course of action that paid no attention to past discriminations and prejudices, and North Carolina Baptists must do the same in our day. Christ died for persons of every race, and the gospel knows no racial or ethnic bounds. Obedience to the Great Commission mandates that our vision be expanded to see the world around us as the great harvest field of the gospel. Pray for our multi-cultural ministries as they continue to dominate our missions strategy. We are working with churches to reach the world at our doorstep. Paul's missionary zeal blazed the trail for us to follow, and for many of us in North Carolina, international missions could well begin just across the street.

And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings. - Acts 17:26