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Rev. Ire Timothy Sim (left) and Rev. Gary Reiber (right),
pastor
of Union Chapel UB, baptize a Korean Christian. Cross-Cultural Opportunities
in Our Back Yard
Gary Dilley
November 2003
You don't have to
travel overseas to be involved in missions these days. The world
has come to us, including in places you would not expect it.
In rural Ontario, the Roseville Church has begun an outreach
to Hispanics. In Chambersburg, Pa., a small elementary school
across from the King Street church has students who speak 17
different languages.
On a recent Sunday, tears came to my eyes
as I attended a joint baptismal service involving the Anglo and
Korean congregations that meet at the Union Chapel UB church in
Fort Wayne, Ind. The Korean church plant is led by Rev. Ire Timothy
Sim. Normally the congregations hold separate services. On this
Sunday they worshipped together in Korean and English, and concluded
with the pastors baptizing 15 new believers, some from each congregation.
I appreciate the UB churches that have allowed
ethnic churches to use their buildings. To be honest, very few
North American churches are inclined to share their facilities
with another group of people, especially when they don't look like
us. So when a congregation takes that step, it brings a smile to
the Father's face (and mine).
I know I am not aware of all the churches
that may be ministering in this way, but I think of Clearview UB
in Goshen, Ind., with an Anglo and a Hispanic congregation; First
UB in Columbus that hosts a Central Conference Hispanic church
led by Rev. Volfi Valenzuela; Union Chapel; and several congregations
in California that host cross-cultural works.
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