Message Magazine Online - Vol. 53, No. 03, Winter 2005

In This Issue

• Think Outside the Box
  By Donna Messenger
• Missions Outside the Box
  By Michael G. Loftis, President
• Opening the Box
  By Bill Commons
• Three-Door Evangelism
  By John and Jean Peterson, Brazil
• Reaching CANS - Creative Access Nations
  By the ABWE Executive Administrator Muslim Ministries
• The Effectiveness of Sports
  By Bruce W. McDonald, International Director of Sports
• Greetings from Camp
  By Leon Duell, Russia
• Creation Science Evangelism: Reaching Students and Educators with the Gospel
  By Jerry and Donna Layton, Philippines
• The Greenhouse that is Growing a Church
  By Rick Ferrari, Ukraine
• The World at My Yard Sale
  By Ann DenUyl, USA
• Indy International
  By Joanna Stuckey, USA MK
• Disaster Church Planting
  By Annie Langston, Thailand
• We Were Strangers
  By Jim Ruff
• Giving Outside the Box
  By Don Davis & Spencer Jackson
• The Missionary Family
  By Russell E. Ebersole, Jr.
  

Indy International

By Joanna Stuckey, USA MK

What do a law student from Korea, his wife, and their year-old son have in common with a Chinese surgeon working on a cancer research project, a group of Liberian women and their children newly arrived from a refugee camp in Ivory Coast, and a retired Food and Drug Administration inspector? They have all called Indianapolis International Baptist Church (IIBC) their church. Since worship services began in September 2003, individuals representing fourteen different ethnic groups have attended IIBC services or activities. The diversity that God has brought to this new church plant on the northwest side of Indianapolis is a testimony of God’s power to answer prayer.

In June 2003, a core group comprised of two ABWE missionary families and three families from University Heights Baptist Church began praying for the vision God had given them. That vision was to start a church that reflected heaven–people from every nation, culture, and language worshipping God together. However, the lack of ethnic diversity in the core group was painfully obvious. In order for this goal to be met, God would have to demonstrate His grace and power.

During the days of planning and prayer, many people asked how a church could exist with such diversity. In their opinions not all cultures could be reconciled. The core group sought comfort and encouragement from passages like John 17:20-23:

I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

The unity for which Jesus prayed most certainly had to do with unity among the ethnic groups of the world. What a tremendous witness to the power of God to change lives! People from all ethnic backgrounds worshipping the true and living God together as one body! That became the prayer of the core group, “Lord, demonstrate your power. Bring diversity that will be united in You.”

God used several avenues to bring the core group into contact with people of many nationalities and backgrounds, such as canvassing the neighborhoods surrounding the church and participating in organizations for international college students. Some people were referred to IIBC from members of other churches. After hearing about a refugee resettlement organization, members of the core group volunteered to assist the new immigrants in any way possible.

Building relationships has been an essential element in the growth and diversity of IIBC. Most ethnic groups outside the US and Europe are relationship-oriented. People coming into a new country grieve a type of death—the death of the comfort of friends, family, and the familiarity of the country and culture they know. In their loss, they are often open to anyone willing to come alongside of them to offer help, encouragement, support, and most importantly, friendship. God has made it evident that many cultural and language barriers can be overcome simply by offering a helping hand and an open heart. Every Sunday, following the worship service, everyone in attendance is invited to lunch. As they get to know others better they can encourage, comfort, and love one another.

Christ’s love and light in the lives of IIBC members has been evident to many who have entered the doors of the church. The former FDA inspector was a lonely single woman who found a loving family among the members of IIBC. The Liberian women found people who would come alongside them to provide transportation to doctor appointments, assistance in improving their English skills, and friendship in a strange, intimidating new country.

The passion of this new church is that it would be constantly changing, building people into the Body of Christ and preparing them to go into the world to make disciples. The surgeon who was doing cancer research has already returned to China. In an email that he sent shortly after he returned to his home he wrote, “The experience at IIBC is not only a memory in my life, it’s a joy for me as a member of you under the cross, I loved it.” Soon the Korean law student will be graduating. The desire of IIBC is that he will be prepared to go and disciple others wherever the Lord takes him and his family.

Caring for the foreigner, reaching out to the stranger, and protecting the alien has always been one of God’s commands for His people. “And if a stranger dwells with you in your land, you shall not mistreat him. The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:33-34). Through prayer and love, God can build a church that defies all human logic.