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Welcome to the September edition of
Cross-Cultural Ministry eNews
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Hello everyone,
Greetings from the Cross-Cultural Ministry desk!
I'm sure you have been hearing quite a bit about Afghanistan in the last few weeks, so one of the things we will focus on in this edition is how we could be responding to the need in this part of the world. The important thing is 'thy will be done' and getting into step with what our Lord is doing.
I find a good way to increase my empathy for a particular ethnic group is to learn to say ‘God bless you’ in their language.
The process of memorising the phrase softens my heart towards the stranger, and the fact that I’m declaring a blessing means I’m less likely to judge them (for following another religion or doing things differently). It is also a nice thing to memorise something affirming to say when you start to talk with them.
Perhaps we should start today by learning to bless the Afghan people in their mother tongue (the early church started this way)
Read more if you would like a mini-language lesson on how to pronounce ‘God Bless’ in the Afghan language.
Our Local Mission teams are keen to generate conversation about how we can all live missional lives. Please email me at craig.heidenreich@lca.org.au if you have something to contribute or questions we can help you with.
Think about joining us on-line this Saturday (11th Sept)
Cross-border travel restrictions mean we have decided to run the Vic/Tas New Horizons conference online and this means you could join in from anywhere. It's not too late to email nathan.hedt@lca.org.au to request the zoom link details.
Cross-Cultural Advocates
Would you consider becoming a cross-cultural advocate for your congregation? If you are reading this you probably have an interest in other cultures and maybe you can take a bit of a lead to help bridge the gap between your congregation and ethnic newcomers. For those who have this calling - it's an exciting adventure!
Our pastors are often busy with many responsibilities and can't take on everything, so I am asking you, mature members, to answer the Lord's prompt and make yourselves known.
I would love to connect with you and support you to respond to opportunities. We are not asking you to sign up for a program, but to join us in seeing the world through Jesus' eyes of love for strangers.
The situation of each congregation is unique and we can help you evaluate how best to respond and to bring joy into the situation. Where possible we could even visit for a few days and help you scope out your own neighbourhood, and discuss life-giving ways to respond. We also have some small grants available year-round with application details on the webpage.
Years ago I sensed this prompting and felt very inadequate. I decided to give it a go until the right person turned up to take over - strangely they never showed. Now I'm glad I didn't miss the opportunity.
If this resonates, please email me at craig.heidenreich@lca.org.au
Some tips for effective witness to unbelievers
There is so much opportunity in everyday life to impact others if we open our eyes to what the Lord is doing around us. Read on if you would like some practical tips to be more effective
A journey to love Afghan people in Adelaide
One of the things that Jesus described in John 3 was how God’s ways are as mysterious as the wind (that blows where it wills).
Recently I have come to realize that our role in God’s service is like the relationship of a sailor to this wind. All the energy and direction come from the wind, but good sailors take care to keep their sails in order, to watch the wind carefully, to raise the sail at the right moment and start tacking with it. This is the same as saying that we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus to see what he is doing. It can be hair-raising to be at the mercy of the wind, but more exciting than puttering in the little motorboat of our own strength.
The following is an account of how the Lord led us into a relationship with the Afghan community in Adelaide. I share this in the hope you will also hoist your sail to catch the wind and go in the direction he wants for your life.
Middle eastern Christians singing blessing over the region
If you have any lingering sense that middle-eastern people are not part of the family of our Lord take a minute to listen to this beautiful worship. There is nothing on earth more beautiful than the faces of people worshipping Him. When I watch this I can't wait to get to heaven and join that great throng around the throne.
Remembering
Ps Jian (Nic) Hu
We head the news this edition by remembering our dear friend and colleague Ps Jian Hu who suddenly passed away on the 29th June 2021. Jian and Amy have been such a blessing amongst the St Stephens Chinese Fellowship and he will be sorely missed by us all. May those of us who remain strive to lay our lives down as he did. Please pray for Amy, Josiah and Joshua
We welcome the Adelaide Chinese Grace Church
One of the significant things that Ps Jian achieved in recent months was to establish a close bond between the St Stephens Chinese Fellowship and the Adelaide Chinese Grace Congregation led by Ps Tim Chen and Sophie which has been meeting at Glynde Zion. We are pleased to announce that this vibrant group have approached the LCA to formalize their connection with us. We see God's hand in this development and take great comfort in the way this strengthens the LCA Chinese ministries in Adelaide.
Lutheran Theological Journal
Cross-Cultural Ministry themed edition
Keep an eye out for the next edition of the LTJ for some great material highlighting aspects of Cross-Cultural ministry.
Afghanistan
In each edition, we focus on a different part of the world and this time we are looking at Afghanistan.
This landlocked country of 40 million has been making the news for all the wrong reasons, but maybe the Lord has thrust it into the limelight so we will pray for them.
Australia is now also home to 50,000 Afghans so let's get to know them a bit better.
Take note that the Cross-Cultural Ministry department currently has Major and Minor grants. The Minor grants (up to $1000) are open year round and advertised on the CCM webpage. We will happily work with you if you want to take a risk to reach out and 'spend' some of this money.
Before you go ...
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P: +61 (0)8 8267 7300
E: crosscultural@lca.org.au
W: www.lca.org.au/cross-cultural