A Great Blessing

By Dave Nobles

If you are like me, in church most of your life, you are familiar with Acts 1:8 and Matthew 28:18-20. If fact, you have probably memorized these verses, commonly described as the Great Commission, at some time or another. The problem with us humans is when something is familiar, we often forget the reason it is used so often.

When I came to northern Virginia (Greater Washington, D.C.), God returned my heart to those verses. I had often preached about taking the gospel to the lost world, but suddenly, I discovered the world had come to me! All those “foreign” people from my sermons over the years were at my front door; all I had to do to reach them was go into my own community.

When God opened my eyes to this reality, I was overwhelmed. I didn’t know what to do. Our community had people from every corner of the world. However, most of them had not assimilated into American culture enough to be comfortable in our church. While we are a diverse church, most cultures prefer their own culture when worshiping, especially their own language.

I began to pray for God to open doors. I talked with Paul Park who tried to work out a situation with a Korean pastor. That didn’t work out. I discussed the situation with Earl Hendrix, who told me about the Hispanic Institute at his church in South Carolina. I even spoke with Rick Bowling about my burden for reaching the world at my doorstep, but, still, nothing happened. Then, one day Rick called out of the blue and said, “I’ve got your man!”

Isn’t it crazy how when God answers prayer we are still unprepared?

Well, off I went to South Carolina, still wondering what plans God had, and if Rick really had found the right person to work with our church. From the moment I met Diego Cueva and his family, I knew God had truly answered prayer. To make a long story short, God brought this wonderful family to northern Virginia, and with the help of the Virginia State Mission Board, our cross-cultural work began. I really can’t tell you everything we did. I had no idea what to do with a man who barely spoke enough English to get by, and who was setting out to do something I had never experienced before. We did a lot of praying!

As a little group of Hispanic people (mostly Central American) started coming together, I began to see what God wanted and why. We were on our way, but I still knew that if God didn’t do it, it wouldn’t get done.

Twelve years have passed, and we haven’t gone without problems. From sound system to schedules, we had to get to know people who were not used to us or our way of doing things. We got used to loud music and people who really enjoy enthusiastic worship. We learned how to approach them and love them, despite our differences. Through it all, God performed some of the greatest miracles you could imagine. I learned our Hispanic brothers and sisters really believe in prayer. “We just pray, preacher,”Diego would say. “God do it.”

And he was right! People began getting saved and baptized. Some returned to their countries and started Free Will Baptist churches. Others brought their families and saw them saved. And as they grew, the English-speaking congregation grew. God began to bless because Parkway Church (formerly Bethel) opened its doors to the world that came to us.

What else could we do? As the years have passed, more people from every country in the world have arrived in this area where the nation’s capital is the primary employer. We get to share the gospel story with people from the “uttermost part of the earth” without leaving our own city.

For those wrestling with the idea of having a Hispanic pastor start a congregation in cooperation with your church, I recommend it. Yes, there are challenges to consider. Yes, there will be problems. Yes, you will learn to pray as never before. But, it has been one of the greatest blessings for our church, and I believe it will be for your church as well.

A few things to consider:

• Be sure you and the Hispanic pastor can communicate. If one of you is not bilingual to some degree, communication will become a major problem. You must communicate your questions and answer his. You must be able to reach an agreement in problematic areas.
  

• Make sure your English-speaking congregation is on board. Your goal is to add members, not lose the ones you have and replace them with another congregation. This may take some teaching and training from Scripture. Don’t worry, the ones who love the Lord and have a heart for souls will be with you. Help them bring along the ones less excited about the idea. It must be a joint effort by the leaders of your church, not just the pastor.
  

• When you find a Hispanic pastor who is the right fit for your church, sit down with him and spell out clearly what you expect. Make sure he understands! Ask about his goals and how you can work together to accomplish God’s work.
  

• Expect problems. Don’t panic when the first difficulty arises but work it out with your fellow pastor. If he has a heart for God, as you do, he will gladly work out a means to accomplish the goal.
  

• When the need arises, don’t be afraid to dialogue with the Hispanic congregation. You and the pastor should talk to them together. They are people who love Jesus, too. If you can talk to them (in a loving way, showing them the respect they deserve) and help them understand, you will gain their confidence. This is the way to handle problems.
  

• Treat them as God’s precious children, as certainly they are. Do not talk down to them or treat them as if they are invading your territory. Instead, listen to them and help them assimilate into your church, as well as their new country.
  

All of this is based on God’s direction. I might suggest the possibility of having joint prayer times with the Hispanic pastor and your leaders. As the church grows, include some of the Hispanic leaders.

It took us years to build the relationships we enjoy now. It doesn’t happen overnight. Respecting them as equals in Jesus will go a long way.

The reward of souls won to Jesus, both Hispanic and English-speaking, is well worth the effort involved in partnering with a cross-cultural church. Remember the old saying, “No pain, no gain!” As soldiers of the cross, we must use every tool God gives us to defeat the devil. And this is a great opportunity.

It is my vision to have multiple ethnic services reaching more of the world that has come to us. For now, God has opened this door. Who knows what doors He will open in the future?

About the Author: Dr. Dave Nobles is pastor emeritus at Parkway FWB Church in Woodbridge, Virginia. Ordained in 1964, he has pastored churches in New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. He holds a B.A. from Welch College and a M.Div. and Th.D. from Covington Theological Seminary. Learn more about cross-cultural ministry in North America: fwbnam.com/cross-cultural