REFLECTION - DISCPLACED BUT NOT DISMISSED FROM GOD'S PLAN
Jeremiah 29: 4 - 8, 11
Jeremiah 29:4 “Here is what Adonai-Tzva’ot, the God of Isra’el, says to all those in exile, whom I have caused to be carried off captive from Yerushalayim to Bavel: 5 ‘Build yourselves houses, and live in them. Plant gardens, and eat what they produce. 6 Choose women to marry, and have sons and daughters. Choose wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage to men, so that they can have sons and daughters — increase your numbers there, don’t decrease. 7 Seek the welfare of the city to which I have caused you to go in exile, and pray to Adonai on its behalf; for your welfare is bound up in its welfare.’ 8 For this is what Adonai-Tzva’ot, the God of Isra’el, says: ‘Don’t let your prophets who are living among you and your diviners deceive you, and don’t pay attention to the dreams you urge them to dream.
11 For I know what plans I have in mind for you,’ says Adonai,‘plans for well-being, not for bad things; so that you can have hope and a future.
Rev. Pascal Permis, Haitian Ministries Facilitator USA/CanadaOver centuries people have left or fled their homeland to settle in a new land due to unfortunate circumstances or events leaving them displaced and with a sense of hopelessness. Hoping for the promise of a better life, a new beginning and the restoration of how life used to be. But, praise be to God! The story we find in the book of Jeremiah 29 reminds us that we can be displaced from our homeland, but not dismissed from God’s plan.
4 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”8 Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. 9 They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord….11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (NIV).
In reading the story of the exiled Jews in the land of Babylon, I am surprised to see how much immigrant communities share in common during their arrival in the new land. This passage has provided us with a continuing tension between two types of prophets. The first type are the ones who tried to sympathize with the plight of the people without knowing what God’s plan was for them and the other type were truly God’s spokesmen.
I would like to elaborate on three overarching thoughts or concepts very close to me in my journey as an immigrant living and ministering among immigrants.
Immigrant Concepts or Thought Process of Immigrants
I find it interesting to note the similarities that exist between the Jews’ early arrival in Babylon and the Haitians early settlement in North America. There are some similarities between the reaction of the people to the events, some similarity between the prophets/preachers’ preaching, and also some similarity of what God’s intent seems to be for the exiles of all times…You are displaced from homeland, but not dismissed from God’s plan
During the early days of immigrating to a new land, and regardless of the cause of displacement, the concept of long-term sojourning and dwelling in a foreign land is usually far from an immigrants mind. Such a mindset is fertile ground for a preachers or prophet who wanted the displace to think a quick return home is God’s desire for us.
I remember quite well as Haitians arrived in North America, from the day we arrived and for many years thereafter, we cheered the news, ideas or even preaching that suggested toward a quick return home. It took us long to understand that was a theology or preaching full of hope and aspiration that led many to confusion and delusion.
God’s thought for Displaced Immigrants
A second look in the story allows me to see what God’s thought or message for exiles or immigrants is all about: Displaced from ones’ country does not mean dismissed from God’s plan.
I believe we need to learn this from God, before we get to our prepared future, to get busy where we are, to be industrious, to be financially successful as God provides, and to pray for peace and the prosperity of our adopted country. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer. 29:11.
Prophets/Preachers’ Role for the Immigrant
If there is a lesson to learn and a role to play as preachers among the exiles or immigrants, we need to pray for a balanced life. A balanced life to live among the people, see their needs, know their dreams, their desires and hopes, and also a balanced life that allows us to live closely with God, to wait before we speak, to hear from God and have the courage to share what he wants us to share with his people in the land in which they have come to live. In other word, to be realistic and seek the peace and prosperity of the city where we live in.
Summary
Our journey in exile may have been longer than expected; however, it is not the time to listen to the charlatan, nor is it the time to be the one who is feeding God’s people with false hope.
I believe this is the time to pray for peace and prosperity for the country we call home, (USA or Canada) which has been good to us.
We need to pray that God will inspire us to be the light bearer and his mouthpiece, reaching out to every community with the soteriological and transformational gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ, which brings true peace, prosperity, harmony and unity.
Let us pray that God give us the drive and desire to reach new communities where 50 new Haitian churches can be planted before the year 2020, and the desire to reach out other ethnic communities as well with the gospel of our Lord and Savior, the Risen Christ!
Prayer Requests from Rev. Permis
Pray for the new work which is in its embryonic stage in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Pray for a new work that is targeted for the Fort Lauderdale, Florida area.
Pray for more French professors and teachers to be available to teach the module classes.
Pray that new works and churches will be planted in areas where Haitians are moving such as North and South Carolina.
Statistics: Haitian Ministries
Congregations - 90 * Total Members - 13,927 * AVG Worship Attendence - 9,264
*These statistics are based on churches/districts that identify their congregations as Haitian
NEWS
SOUTHEAST REGION PRESENTS TEAM NAZARENE: OUR PRESENT, OUR PAST, OUR FUTURE
From left to right: Alabama North District Superintendent Greg Story, Center Point Pastor Robert Dabydeen, Black Ministries Facilitator Charles Tillman, USA/Canada Regional Director Bob Broadbooks, East Point Pastor Edward Husband, and conference chairman Bill Allen (back row).
The 2015 Southeast Regional Black Nazarene Fellowship Conference, held at Birmingham, Alabama, Center Point Church of the Nazarene, was filled with a weekend of activities. These activities included workshops, plenary sessions, fellowship time, a youth talent showcase, and Work & Witness projects.
Nearly 200 Nazarenes from the Southeast Region were in attendance for the weekend event, planned and organized by the conference committee and chairperson Bill Allen. Centered on I Corinthians 12:12, 25-26, messages were delivered by Charles Johnson of Fitkins Memorial Church of the Nazarene in Meridian, Mississippi; Tanya Allen of Memphis, Tennessee, Friendship Church of the Nazarene; Pastor Kelvin Rankin of Bread of Community Life Church of the Nazarene in Vicksburg, Mississippi; and Charles Tillman Sr., National Black Nazarene Ministries facilitator. The praise and worship team, led by Joan Myers and musicians David Gillette, Royce Williams, and Monroe Ballard, brought Spirit-filled worship at every service.
Workshops were held on Saturday afternoon focusing on the Battlefield of the Mind, How to Prepare for Your Pastor’s Retirement, The Health of Your Church, Do You Know Where Your Children Are?, and a super workshop that featured a panel of Nazarene pastors. The Work & Witness team accomplished several repair projects at the Center Point Church, and the evening culminated with a youth talent showcase. The conference also welcomed guests from the Church of the Nazarene's Global Ministry Center, sponsor college Trevecca Nazarene University, and Nazarene Theological Seminary.
The National Black Nazarene Conference will be held next year in Orlando, Florida, from July 27 to 31, 2016
REPORT OF THE SAMOAN CONFERENCE 2015
Words are inaccurate to explain in details the wondrous love of God and the moving of His Holy Spirit among His people during the Conference this year. It was indeed a very inspiring and transforming experience.
The Conference this year is considered the best we ever had according to participants evaluations. This years registered participation reached 525. The Clarion Hotel was packed with people of all ages with their colorful Samoan traditional wear and with the sound of people speaking the most beautiful language in the world. It was amazing watching how God had full control of the conference from the beginning to the end. He filled our hearts with joy and peace as we lifted up the name of Jesus in all the worship services and youth programs and in all the powerful preaching and teaching of the Word. People went to the altar to accept Jesus as Lord, some to renew their commitments to Jesus Christ and some to accept the call to full time ministry. Three couples and one single youth are prepared to enter Nazarene Bible College in Colorado this year. We also recognized three new church plants and introduced three new ordained ministers and the people shouted a loud AMEN! Then came the presentation of the "SAMOAN NAZARENE HERITAGE" by Jerry Appleby, a short history of the early years (1960-1976) of the work the Nazarene Missionaries in Samoa. The work that expanded and reaching other parts of the World including the USA, New Zealand, Australia, Bangladesh, and other islands in the South Pacific... And people shouted louder AMEN! PRAISE THE LORD! This piece of history is the story of the miraculous power and love of God to be remembered and to be lived and shared in order to make Christlike disciples of all nations. It left us with a challenge that we still have work to do, and every Samoan pastor and congregation should continue to work together to reach out with love not only to Samoans but also to people of all colors for Jesus. (Contact our office if you need a copy of this history) The Conference concluded with communion and the installation (organization) service for the church that host the conference this year, the Huddle Christian Fellowship Church in Anaheim. Finally, the best dinner of the conference was served without cost through the kindness of Rev. Tony Falealili and the Huddle Congregation. It is all for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Look forward to seeing more people in Colorado Springs for our 2017 conference.
Thank you for your support. Please continue to pray for us.
Rev. Taulima Oge, Samoan Ministries Facilitator USA/CANADA
taulimapoto@yahoo.com
Reminders
MPP Ethnic Student Scholarship
Multicultural Ministries of the Nazarene Global Ministries Center in Kansas City, Missouri, will provide scholarships for the Ministerial Preparation Program at Nazarene Bible College to any ethnic students preparing for ordination. The normal cost per ordination class is $125, but will be reduced to $90 per class with the scholarship. All classes are offered in English and are available either online or at our beautiful campus in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Ethnic students may contact Admissions at Nazarene Bible College by calling 719-884-5060 or by sending an inquiry to: info@nbc.edu.
Did you miss the webinar: Launching an Immigration Legal Services Ministry?
Kathleen Leslie, Director of the Immigrant Legal Services Tech Unit for World Relief sent the recording for you to listen to as well as some other helpful resources. You can also find these on the Multicultural Ministries website.
A recording of the webinar (please click the link and download the recording to your computer before listening)
A link to the Board of Immigration Appeals Roster (this will detail current BIA providers by state and city)
A link to demographic data: Migration and Policy Institute (MPI) (a great resource for general immigration data) Also, MPI provides county-specific information on undocumented populations as well; at this link, Excel spreadsheets are available on the right side of the screen for this research. Center for Migration Studies (CMS) (information regarding undocumented populations by state)
Don't forget to register for the NTS Preachers Conference if you haven't already!
UPCOMING EVENTS 2015
September 17 - 19, 2015 - Ethnic Student Leadership Development Initiative
Global Ministry Center - Lenexa, KS
For more information contact Multicultural Ministries at multi@nazarene.org
September 22 - 24, 2015 - Chinese Consultation on Theological Education
Location - The Point, San Jose, CA
For more information contact Rev. Samuel Chung at samlschung@gmail.com
September 28 - October 1, 2015 - Korean Ministerial Conference USA/Canada, Chicago First Korean
For more information contact Rev. Stephen Lee at slee4j@sbcglobal.net
For the most update information on Multicultural Ministries Events visit our website
CALL FOR PRAYER
Continuing prayer for the Dr. Larry Lott family in the loss of Dr. Lott
Pray for Dr. John Nells with the loss of his brother Roy Nells
Upcoming Multicultural Ministries Events USA/Canada
Those Churches and 501c3's that have applied for BIA status and it is currently in review
All Multicultural Churches and Pastors
Race Relations in the USA/Canada
For More Ethnic Leadership to be Called into Ministry and Leadership
A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR
A New South Asian (SRT) was formed and met August 24-26. The SRT worked on their vision goals: To identify, develop and train South Asian leaders and strategize church planting toward the goal of registering 20 congregations by the year 2020. The SRT members are: Rev. Chris Nallan, who was appointed as the facilitator, Rev. Christabell S. Selvalingham, Rev. Aneel Mall, Rev. David Partipathi and Rev. Manoj Ingle. We welcome the South Asian SRT to the Multicultural Ministries leadership!
I’m currently reading a book “Global Diasporas and Mission” Edited by Chandler H. Im and Amos Yong. The book analyzes and reflects on the migration and immigration of people since biblical times, and traces how this movement is increasing at an unprecedented rate in recent times. This massive movement of people is pushed by varying factors and has opened new opportunities for the mission of the Church. One statistic from this book states: “Every year, over one million people immigrate to the USA. As of July 1, 2010, 12.9% of the US population was foreign-born.” The Statistics Canada source, projects that immigrants will account for 22% of the Canadian population by the year 2017.” People on the move around the world present a great opportunity for us in the Church of the Nazarene to carry out the mission of “Making Christlike Disciples to the Nations”.
Dr. Roberto Hodgson, Multicultural Ministries Director USA/CANADA
Multicultural Ministries vision is to encourage the development of strategy and initiative to reach the USA/Canada mission field through the visionary leadership of the ethnic facilitators, and their strategy committees
____________________________
No comments:
Post a Comment