A simple way to find out about a new culture is to ask questions about their families, friends, food, festivals and their future hopes and dreams.

To effectively reach people of different ethnic backgrounds we need to build bridges. One way to do that is to become familiar with their country of origin and the cultures and customs they share. A simple way to find out about a new culture is to ask questions about their families, friends, food, festivals and their future hopes and dreams. This goes a long way to open doors for relationship, discerning needs peoples have and to share Christ’s love with them. Since most ethnic people use English as their second language, there are opportunities for churches to partner together to have English classes or conversation gatherings to help new people get better at speaking English and feeling comfortable in their new “home.” Also, there may be ways to show newcomers places to shop or where to go to get certain services like legal, social services or medical care. Most countries have vastly different systems of delivering basic needs. It can be stressful to ethnic people to try and learn a new way of living. We can stand in the gap and help with these things, loving them and building friendships that will show them we care, and God loves them.  

What is your next step?

• What does Jesus say about finding a person of peace in Luke 10:1-12?
• What ministries can you identify that can help the foreign-born in your community?
• How does this article prompt you to pray in a new way for your community?