Seizing the Moment in Cross-Cultural Ministry

AN INTERVIEW WITH DAVID ELLIS
Director of Cross-Cultural Ministries 

Mandate: Welcome to the International Center, David. You recently moved your family to Indianapolis. Tell us about your family and where you were previous to moving here.

David: My wife Mari (Mary) is from Costa Rica. We met when I was in language school in 1982. We have three children, Melody, who was born while we were missionaries with WGM in Bolivia; David,  and Michelle.

Prior to coming to Indianapolis, we lived in San Dimas, California. For the past twelve years I pastored in Los Angeles, in an urban setting in the city of El Monte. For the past ten years I also served as the Director of Multi-cultural Ministries for the Pacific Southwest District.

David: Principally I will be assisting the North American Wesleyan Church to plant ethnic churches. Secondarily, I will be assisting the Department of Education and the Ministry with issues specifically related to the credentialing of Hispanic Pastors and assisting in the establishment of Spanish language ministerial training schools or "Institutos".

David: The Wesleyan Church, as is true of every denomination in North America, is well aware of the demographic changes that transpired during the past 20 years. The North American Church is faced with the enormous task of not only reaching the unchurched in the English language, but in the heart language of literally hundreds of ethnic groups now residing in the United States and Canada.

To answer this question, I would say three factors converged to necessitate this new position. One—sheer numbers. The United States is home to more than thirty million Hispanics (Latinos), and over ten million Asians. Each year more than 1.5 million immigrants enter the United States. Over 75 major cities in the United States are comprised primarily of people of ethnic origin.

Two—the experience of the Pacific Southwest District. Under Dr. Stephen Babby’s leadership, that district started more than 50 ethnic churches, most of them during the past ten years. Of the district’s 92 churches and ministries, exactly half of them (46) are ethnic.

Three—a Biblical mandate. A fresh approach towards Scripture often produces change of focus and emphasis. Acts 17:26-27 says,

From one man He made every nation on earth; and he determines the time set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.

I am personally convinced that God intended the Great Commission and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to mobilize the disciples and the early church to reach the world with the gospel. The mobilization of the Church "to go" is certainly no less true today. However, there should be no doubt that God is working through the greatest mass movement and displacement of peoples in history to expose them to the gospel, principally in and around major urban areas and cities. In other words, God has brought missions to North America. The Southern Baptist Church, for example, understands this and has ten thousand ethnic congregations in the United States with a membership of over one million.

David: I lived in Latin America for five years, as well as pastored one predominately Filipino church and one Spanish-speaking congregation in Los Angeles.

For the past ten years, I served the Pacific Southwest District as the Director of Multicultural Ministries, was involved in leadership development, and theological education.

Our life and ministry as missionaries in Latin America, pastor of a multicultural church, a predominately Filipino church, and a Spanish-speaking congregation during the past 18 or 19 years are experiences that have shaped our lives and prepared us for our present ministry.

David: One of my immediate goals is to plant several Hispanic churches. During the past three months or so, I have assisted in planting Hispanic churches in Holland, Michigan; Columbus, Ohio; Russellville, Arkansas; and in Muncie, Richmond, Carmel and Frankfort, Indiana. The possibilities and potential to start and develop Spanish-speaking churches is an enormous task.

Regionally, there will continue to be opportunities for The Wesleyan Church to respond to the demographic changes present in the United State and Canada. Local Wesleyan churches in both rural and urban settings have opportunities everyday to share the gospel with people for whom English is their second language. As people respond to the gospel, lives are transformed and some are gifted and called to ministry.

Secondly, I want to strategically plant urban churches as opportunities emerge. To intentionally target the large urban areas and cities is crucial. Traditionally, this is where the majority of new immigrants first arrive. Now immigrants may arrive in small cites and rural areas where job opportunities and quality of life issues are more appealing.

I will actively seek out local churches to partner with district leadership and the resources of E&CG to seek God’s timing regarding ministry to the new poor in North America. I will make it a priority to develop models that will facilitate leadership development, ministerial training, and healthy, reproducing churches.

David: Be sensitive to the voice of God and to the Spirit’s leading. During a tumultuous time when it would have been easier to seek the safety and comfort of familiar surroundings, Philip was led by the Spirit to minister outside of his comfort zone. He led an Ethiopian (African) to the Lord, taught him the meaning of the Scriptures with regard to Christ, and baptized him! To whom is God’s Spirit leading you?

Be active in the life of a local church. Be a participant not a spectator in the spiritual life and mission of your local church. I cannot emphasize enough the power of prayer

Be involved with missions, both at home and abroad. Seldom has any church activity ever produced more spiritual results in the local church and in the lives of its members than that of participating in missions. Passion for God and His people everywhere increases.

Lastly, give sacrificially to the causes of Christ that extend His kingdom and its values.

David: It’s almost not fair to single out just one. So many of our ethnic churches, whether they are Hispanic, Korean, Filipino, or ministry in the African-American community, are vital churches. Each one is seeking to fulfill the great commission. Many are actively involved in their communities through a variety of programs and levels of assistance.

I respect the level of sacrifice and spiritual commitment exhibited by so many of our ethnic pastors. It is a source of inspiration as well as a constant challenge to me personally.

Iglesia Wesleyana El Calvario (Calvary Wesleyan Church) in Phoenix, under the leadership of Pastors Rodolfo and Lucia Mendoza, has been singled out in prior publications for leading hundreds to the Lord; for its active prayer and healing ministry; and for its outreach into local jails and prisons.

Pastor Eric Lee and In His Steps Ministries, an African-American Wesleyan Church in Los Angeles, is addressing socio-economic and urban concerns in an authentically contextualized manner.

Pastor Fermin Bocanegra is certainly to be recognized for his leadership in North Carolina and the innovative ministries of his local church (dental care, food distribution, short-term housing, etc.).

The two pastors whose churches have made an indelible impact on The Wesleyan Church are Pastor Alvaro Sanchez and the Principe de Paz (Prince of Peace) Wesleyan Church, and Pastor Tony Pilson-Pena and Iglesia Mision Cristiana Wesleyan Church. These churches have become pastor factories, producing dozens of church planters for The Wesleyan Church. Pastor Alvaro also is co-founder of The Wesleyan Church in Costa Rica.