Blessed Christmas Greetings

To our Family and Friends

We hope you have enjoyed fellowship with our Savior, Jesus Christ, during this year. He came as a baby to reveal God’s love to mankind and provide salvation from sin and hope of heaven.

As we review the past year and reflect on our walk with God we are humbled that he would allow us to enjoy Him and serve Him. We have many joys of living and serving together in our marriage that God arranged. December 30 will complete two years. The blessing of good health makes us responsible to use it for His glory.

We truly enjoy living here in Maranatha Village, Sebring, FL, a retirement community of Christians. Our church is located within the village and nearly everyone attends there. Our pastor is a great Bible teacher and we have many opportunities to interact with people. During the year the church has Bible conferences, Music Concerts, Missionary speakers, a great Choir with cantatas at Christmas and Easter. The Village also plans fellowship times for fun and communication.

Ruth has been the president of the Ladies Mission Fellowship. She gives special effort to provide informative and interesting programs. Both of us serve on the Mission Committee.

Eldon’s special passion is Ethnic to Ethnic Ministries. This is the vision God gave to him three years ago. This year the board agreed to incorporated and applied for IRS Tax Exemption. God has expanded his communication with people through the website – http://www.ethnictoethnic.org/ and with a Blog Site http://ethnictoethnic.blogspot.com/ . For the past 18 weeks he has posted an article about the need and benefit of intentional multi ethnic ministry. Eldon has founded this to help churches make this adjustment to become multicultural in out reach and fellowship. If this could happen many of those from other nations would find a way to send or carry the Gospel to their ethnic homeland. They could be the missionaries we can’t be in major parts of the world.

Last summer we traveled nine weeks and 8400 miles to Iowa, Kansas, New Mexico, Texas, New Jersey and home. We made several valuable contacts for E-tem, served with the missionaries to the Navajo where Ruth had been a missionary, visited friends from Kachin State, Burma living in Dallas that Eldon knows from his trips to Burma, attended the wedding of Ruth’s brother. Included did visit Eldonna and family, toured the Grand Canyon, and attended a musical on Texas but nearly all of our time was given to missions activities.

We anticipate special opportunities for 2009. Ruth is president again and maybe it will be easier the second year. Eldon is dreaming of a special Round Table type meeting of several leaders involved in multi ethnic ministries to coordinate the potential and the methods of assisting churches. If he had a support base of administrative staff and finances the potential would be greater. Meanwhile, we are praying for God to provide a man to develop E-tem far beyond my ability.

In 2009 let’s trust God to reveal his salvation and His glory even though there seems to be such resistance to Jesus Christ, the one who can provide a righteous solution to the problems of the world.

Eldon and Ruth
251 Timothy Rd, Sebring, FL 33870, eldon26@gmail.com or laughinglady1@gmail.com

An Immigrant’s Perspective

Last week I wrote “Ethnic People Can Give the Gospel and Plant Churches.”

Jean B Manirakiza wrote regarding the hesitancy people from other cultures feel. He is a friend who was born in Burundi, Africa. Notice, too, his insight on the working relationships needed for fulfilling the Great Commission. (Underlining is mine. More of his background at the end.)

“Thank you for another insightful and provocative (in a positive way) post. From an immigrant perspective, I agree with your statements and would only add that the cultural gap is one of the contributing factors in the misconceptions. For example, at least from where I come from, (Burundi, Africa) modesty/humility hinders a lot of people to assert their capabilities and may yield to the opinion that assertiveness is equivalent of knowledge and capability. As a result, we may believe that Americans are more capable of reaching people of ethnic background more than we do. Another minor issue we may deal with is the familiarity breeding contempt-remember that even Jesus' siblings were not enthusiastic about his ministries until he ascended to heaven...that one always baffles me. But in the end, love for God remains the most powerful tool if we, American and ethnic people, hope to reach the lost in other cultures. Do we love God enough to seek his guidance in finding ways to bridge the cultural gaps and change our misconceptions of others? That's my prayer! Thanks and may God grant us wisdom to care for the lost.”
[Jean was forced to leave Burundi when a civil war began. They were killing College students. He made his way to South Africa where he accepted Christ as savior through a church. After this he sought refugee status here and now has a government job in DC. He is active in Calvary Baptist, Alexandria, VA but has interests of serving our Lord in Africa some day.]

An American friend also wrote this week to say, “I work with a very diverse group of nurses who, 2 of them are here in the states and planning on going back to their country to minister there. Both are Calvin grads as are their husbands who plan to start agencies to minister to their own country men.”

My contention is that we are not listening to people who have perspectives on reaching the world. We have a lot to learn as well as a lot to give.

This may seem like a minor point but something is limiting the joint effort to share the Gospel worldwide.

Tell me what you think. Leave a comment here. Soon I want to talk about prayer for the nations as a beginning action step. Eldon, www.EthnictoEthnic.org.

Ethnic People Can Give the Gospel and Plant Churches

Key Point 13
American’s are not the only ones who can give the gospel and plant churches. “Do we pray, plan and encourage cross culturally empowering others to carry the message where we can’t?”

Many American’s have a subconscious response that questions the ability of people from another culture to properly give out the Gospel. I know we quickly affirm that others can be effective within their culture BUT the question is, “Do we pray, plan and empower others to carry the message where we can’t?” It is so common to us that the Bible is in English and some may doubt the ability of one in another language to teach the truth to others. Be patient with me on this.

My proposition for E-tem is that we should seek to win the people from other nations, especially the immigrants, and disciple them so they can give the gospel in areas where America’s are rejected or disliked.

I believe, “You can reach the nations without leaving home.”

AN EXAMPLE: A friend told me about his work with Mexican immigrants, mostly illegal. Churches in Mexico give him names of those who move to his area. He then has led several to accept Christ as Savior. Some of these have returned home by choice or by deportation and have helped to strengthen the church in Mexico.

AN OPINION, OBSERVATION:

Americans commonly have more education, money and organization. It is easy to look at the people of another nation and assume that we know best how to teach the Bible and organize church planting efforts. After all, how could they understand our methods since they are not as educated in this culture which is superior? (This is sarcasm to emphasize point.)

On the other hand many people from other nations tend to think of themselves as less qualified because they don’t know our ways. This may true if they are new believers. Even so it does not make them inferior.

Here is the problem! American’s tend to think the ethnic person is not ready and the ethnic person tends to think he is unqualified. Too often we may try to maintain control and he may not accept responsibility.

The result is that we sometimes limit effectiveness. An ethnic person is more readily accepted by his culture because he knows the language, the culture, and the false religion. Let’s ask ourselves if we truly trust God’s promise, “The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit.” If so, we will give more effort to assisting, encouraging and maybe pushing the convert to take leadership up to his level of learning. In my camp leadership days I often said, “Help a camper learn/discover a new thing and he will have a desire to learn more.”

Let’s, disciple U S ethnic people to evangelize the ethnic people groups worldwide.

I need you insights. Enter you comments. Also sign on as a follower in the upper left corner of this Blog. http://EthnictoEthnic.blogspot.com.
Eldon Brock, Eldon26@gmail.com.

Can a church experience NEW passion to become multi ethnic?

Planting strong, vital multi-ethnic churches is the most effective way to advance the Gospel in our increasingly urban, ethnically diverse world. This is the growing conviction shared by many North American church planters and is confirmed by a growing body of research. Ken Davis, Director of Project Jerusalem. Go to the following link to see the complete article. (http://mail.google.com/mail/?zx=veu75xvidpnq&shva=1#inbox/11dabc5df7b67f9a).
“Project Jerusalem’s innovative strategy partners BBS’ M.Div. students with independent churches, state associations, and mission agencies to intentionally train church planters by planting healthy churches in the Northeastern United States.” http://www.bbc.edu/seminary/pjoverview.asp

Multi Ethnic ministry is not simple but Ken refers to the easier, and maybe the quicker way, which is to start a new church with an intentional purpose to be multi ethnic. There are many exciting reports on ministries that are planned and programmed this way from the beginning.

Even though is hard to change established traditions in a church, is it not true that we should be open and yielded to whatever is needed to make the greatest spiritual impact in our changing nation that is increasingly urban, ethnically diverse world. I want to encourage the planting of new churches but let’s also challenge established churches to adjust to welcome the diverse community next door. Maybe the church should not move away; could it be they can be revived as they welcome other cultures into one fellowship.

Perhaps this means churches will have to notice the nations represented in their local area and pray for them instead of thinking that missions is all overseas. Maybe we need to get real about the one faith, one Lord regardless of the cultural background. It excites me to think of ONE ETERNAL CULTURE in heaven made of many nations. We should prayerfully make effort to experience some of that fellowship here so it will not be such a shock to us when we get there.

Read more of what Ken Davis said.

The multicultural church matches an urgent need in a fractured North American society which often seeks unity in superficial solutions. In a day of rising immigration (both legal and illegal), we live in a world often characterized by fear, suspicion and mistrust. Sometimes outright racism raises its ugly head, even in church.

The multi-ethnic church which models well the reconciling power of the Gospel and the oneness Christ followers have in Him will be attractive to many of the younger generation who are fed up with the racial discord and division in our land.
North American evangelicals face two demographic challenges: continuing urbanization and rapid ethnic diversification.

Watch my post next week post but I would like your comment on this. I hope you will become a Follower by clicking on the words Follow this Bog in the upper left corner of this page, http://EthnictoEthnic.blogspot.com.

Veteran’s Day Reminds Me of Freedom For All Nations

Millions of international ethnic people seek freedom in our country but most remain in bondage to personal sin like millions of people born in USA.

I attended the local Veteran’s Day memorial ceremony on November 11 and our attention was drawn to the sacrifices that paid for our national freedom. Freedom has come at a great cost but just a few people attended this ceremony to acknowledge this fact. I guess most people feel that this freedom is our right and they fail to give tribute to those who fought for us so we can live free of oppression.

Let’s ask:
FREEDOM from what?
FREEDOM to do what?
In our country we have freedom from bondage to foreign powers. We also have freedom to make independent choices about family, business and worship.

Jesus said a lot about FREEDOM in John 8.32 – 36.
The problem is that most who say they have freedom do not have it. They don’t realize that all are sinners and “Whoever commits sin is the servant of sin.” (v34) This is bondage not freedom. Jesus said, “If the Son, therefore, shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

This freedom is 1. Freedom from eternal terror of judgment and also 2. Freedom to live a righteous life acceptable to God. It was paid for by one who was without sin. Our national freedom has required payment by millions in the military and law enforcement and this is only a determent of violence. And praise God it does provide the freedom to proclaim this message.

Most who read this have two freedoms. We enjoy this national freedom of speech and also the religious freedom to give our “members as instruments of righteousness unto God” (Rom. 6:13)

Both of these freedoms, the salvation from “slavery to sin” and the freedom to serve a Holy God are available to all people of “all Nations” especially those who live in our neigborhood.

We American Christians have a responsibility to present this message of Christ’s deliverance from bondage to the Nations. God has made this easier in that He has moved so many of them to America. The churches and believers who have experienced this salvation generally have not learned to give it without boundaries or prejudice. Our churches tend to depend on paid missionaries instead of each one reaching out cross culturally and building multi ethnic church fellowships.

Ethnic to Ethnic Ministries, Inc. purposes to, “Assist churches to disciple U S ethnic people to evangelized unreached ethnic people groups worldwide.”

Eldon Brock, Please interact with me here on this Blog, http://EthnictoEthnic.blogspot.com, or by email, mailto:eldon26@gmial.com. Check out the web site http://www.ethnictoethnic.org/.

The Diverse Ethnic America Has Voted.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Yesterday America voted. We have a new president. The many segments of Diverse Ethnic Americans have exercised their rights and made us more aware of their presence. Some people seem to think that things are the way they have been; that Anglo Americans, with a predominantly Judeo-Christian background, are still the majority. This is not so.

The variety of voting blocks in this election forcibly reminds us that God has moved the Nations to our land.

This should awaken us to the opportunities we have to help them learn of Christ and His salvation from sin with an eternal hope. Think what the results would be if we could help them learn that the Government is not the answer to their social, economic and security needs. The One True Creator God is the one on the Throne in Heaven and He alone can meet our needs for now and the future.

Our churches should welcome people of other cultures so they can see the Welcoming Savior. If so we could see people of “every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” begin to worship Christ and then they would want to share this joy with their ethnic homeland.

As commanded we should to pray for President Obama. (I Tim. 2:1-3) Let’s pray that God will be honored and that there will be increased freedom to share the Scriptures with all men of all ethnic backgrounds.

The Ethnic to Ethnic Ministries purpose is “to assist churches to disciple U S ethnic people to evangelize unreached ethnic people groups worldwide.”
Contact me at eldon26@gmail.com. Eldon Brock

Can Two Cultures Work Together?

Key Point # 12: We should assist ethnic believers where it is necessary but always allow them to have ownership of their own passion and ministry.

Have you found a way for church members from two or more cultural backgrounds to serve in harmony? Let’s talk about it. Post your comments below.

Often we think we know best how people in another culture should serve Christ.

Has someone tried to help you when you didn’t need it? Sometimes a person tries to give help that doesn’t fit the need. I know I feel the most successful when someone assures me that I can find the answer and then he praises me for work well done.

I heard a two year old girl say, "I can do it myself if you help me." It is always a better partnership if we help when asked, especially when two or more cultures are involved. I found that my American ways did not always work when trying to help Asians. True, we need to teach the Scriptures but allow a person freedom to trust the Spirit of God to lead."

God’s plan is seen in 1Cor. 12:4 – 7, “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.”

If I insist on my way, especially when I don’t understand all of the conditions, I will rob the other person of his ownership and blessing. This is really hard when I feel time and convenience is at stake.

Let’s take time to hear before expecting to be heard.

The work of God is best done when there is unity in the body of Christ and we proclaim the Word of God without prejudice toward one another or the people we seek to win.

God’s challenge to me is to assist American churches to win the millions of people from other nations. They now live next door. If we respect and encourage them I believe they could send or take the Gospel to their homeland.


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