What Is a Cross-Cultural Disciple?
(1) Ask the Spirit of God to place on your heart a particular
What does it mean to be a cross-cultural disciple? First, as dis- people group for whom you can pray regularly. This group could
ciples of Christ, we are to be involved in His deepest concerns. He be local or in another country. We might never learn the impact
is the Lord of all, and His passion is for the whole world. Some- of our intercession, but it is an acknowledgment on our part that
one has said, “The closer we get to the heart of Jesus, the closer we understand that Christ, with His own blood, “purchased men
we get to what is on His heart.” The whole world—every culture, [and women] for God from every tribe and language and people
tongue, and ethnic group—in all its pain and need, is what is on and nation” (Revelation 5:9, NIV).
His heart. Those who know His heart will also share His passion (2) Study the people group you have chosen. Learn about their
to reach those who need Him and have yet to hear the good news history, their struggles, their needs, their goals, and ministry
of the Gospel. opportunities.
Second, we need to recognize and acknowledge the intercon- (3) Listen to what others are saying about the people group
nectedness of His whole body. What happens in one part of the you have chosen. Read any newspaper articles or journals that will
worldwide body of Christ affects the other parts. What the Holy give you insight into the challenges they are facing and the issues
Spirit is doing on the other side of the globe, as well as what He is with which they are dealing.
doing in our own neighborhoods, affects what we are doing. We (4) Then reach out to the people group you have chosen. Find
are family. ways you can tangibly minister to their needs. Ask God to provide
Third, we need to learn how to enter into others’ perspectives windows of opportunity for you to get to know the people group
of the Church, the Bible, and even God himself. The way each of personally, and take advantage of these opportunities to interact
us perceives Jesus is colored by our culture’s worldview. Perhaps with genuine Christian love and compassion. If the people group is
we see something in Him that other cultures do not see as readily, local, consider opening your church for an ethnic worship service.
or maybe we are blinded to some things others are able to see. We Matthew 25:31-46 gives us a vivid illustration of Judgment
can learn from each other by building cross-cultural relationships Day. Jesus will divide the sheep from the goats. Those on His right
and having significant interaction and dialogue. hand He will commend for ministering to the hungry, the thirsty,
the stranger, the naked, the sick, and those in prison. They will ask
How Can We Expand Our Outlook?
Him, “When did we do these things for you?” He will respond,
Listed below are four practical ways we can expand our per- “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least
spective and ministry to include all of God’s people and overcome of these My brethren, you did it to me” (v. 40, NKJV). This is cross-
the barriers that separate us: cultural ministry at its finest.
EVANGEL • FEB 2009 7
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