Mo News, Issue 18, June 2005
Race Matters
During the month of May, I hosted three discussion forums called Race Matters @ Mosaic where young adults gathered to learn about and discuss race issues - past, present and future. About 20 young adults participated and were challenged to be more intentional in their cross-cultural relationships. Here are a few things that I learned from our discussions.
1. Individual racism exists in the year 2005. If you don't think that it does, ask someone different than you if they have ever experienced racism. You may be shocked at what they will tell you. Raising awareness of this will hopefully lead to an ongoing dialogue between people of different ethnicities and cultural backgrounds that will seek to break these dividing walls that keep us unaware.
2. Institutional or systematic racism exists in the year 2005. From segregated congregations to VBS curriculum that promote false stereotypes, the church is as guilty as any institution. Pastor Soong Chan Rah said, "The church has successfully picked up where the Jim Crow laws left off." There are plenty of systems in place that separate us into categories. I hope the Church will begin to overcome this more and more.
3. What can I do about it? I can develop significant friendships with people who are not white. I can be mentored/discipled by an older man who is not white.
4. Due to the global migration of so many people groups, the barrier to fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) is no longer geographical, but rather it is cultural. Going to the nations no longer (necessarily) means crossing oceans and mountains; it means crossing the street and talking to the mainland Chinese UAMS student (for example).
The conversation has just begun. I hope that it will continue.
Praises!
Inés and I are going to Honduras in August for a medical mission trip, and all of our money has been raised! Nearly $2400 for the two of us! Praise the Lord! We’ve been married for over six months now and things are going great!
MoYAs Discipleship
On June 5th, Inés and I started our summer studies for the young adults. She is doing a book study with 12-15 women reading through a book called Lies Woman Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free, and I have about 7 guys working through a study looking at foundational Christian doctrines. Both studies have been very well received and are engaging the young adults as they desire to grow spiritually.
Change Happens
Changes are approaching in the Mosaic staff. My partner in ministry, Ramón Chaparro, is leaving Mosaic to be a missionary in Portland, OR. Many years ago Ramón felt the Lord leading him to Reed College in Portland to make disciples on a predominantly non-Christian campus. He will be greatly missed here. He is a great partner and friend, but I’m excited about how the Lord will use him at Reed.
Mosaic recently hired a summer resident for the Student Ministries. His name is Joe Utter and I look forward to co-laboring with him and getting to know him better. Also on the horizon are Mosaic’s first paid worship director (James Wafford) and a new children’s/youth pastor (Amos Gray). Both of these men are sure to add to God’s Kingdom work here at Mosaic.
Prayer Need
If you recall, I wrote about a recovering drug addict who had been welcomed into our young adult community. She was doing well for a little while, but just before Memorial Day weekend Tonya relapsed and is out on the streets again. Soon after her relapse, some of the young adults went to her parents’ house to pray with them and her sister. As you can imagine, it has been very difficult on the entire family. Please pray for Tonya to surrender her life to the Lord and devote herself to recovery. And pray for Mark and Shannon, Tonya’s parents, as well as her sister Grace and daughter Ciara. I still believe that the Lord is faithful to finish what He started in Tonya!
Thanks for reading!
Peace,
Rob <><
posted by Rob at 7:12 PM
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