Why cross cultural ministry

I was advised early on that when nothing seems to go according to plan, I need to exhibit patience, flexibility, and a sense of humor. In those situations, instead of complaining about my circumstances, I need to be adaptable and laugh at the situation. Of course there are many other lessons that have formed my approach to cross-cultural ministry since I first came to Romania as a college sophomore.

Jonathan Phillips lives in Romania and serves as a missionary in the areas of literature development and theological education. Please note : This article was originally published in All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at that time but may have since changed. Skip to main content. Prev article. Respect, patience, and a sense of humor help when ministering in a different country.

Embrace the culture. Respect indigenous leaders. Equip others for ministry. Be part of a team. Ethnic diversity is everywhere if you seek it out. It takes initiative.

It takes intentionality to go out of your everyday routine to find opportunities to minister cross-culturally or grow in your cultural intelligence quotient. You can start with prayer, of course, asking God to put people in your path.

But you might also have to do something about it. You may have to drive a little further to find a more diverse community. You may have to venture into an ethnic store or restaurant to experience a new culture.

You might have to introduce yourself to someone of another culture in your church, your neighborhood, or workplace. You might have to struggle through a language barrier without giving up.

You might have to invite a foreign exchange student into your home. Overall, trying to do cross-cultural ministry is not going to happen just by wishing it so. We grow in understanding of His love. We learn to find satisfaction in God Himself, not in fruit or results. No matter how much pressure you feel to write those exciting letters to supporters back home! His purposes and His glory become our driving motivation for our work. This happens as we grow in an ever-deeper relationship with Jesus.

Our world markets freedom from hardship as a virtue. I have overcome the world. Paul writes of wanting to know Christ and fellowship with Him in suffering Phil. Unless we are willing to embrace a life of hardship, we can not become effective cross-cultural ministers.

This begins with a deep surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. It also requires a firmly held belief in the goodness of God, no matter what we go through. We learn to endure trials, difficulties, persecution, temptation, pain, and hardship as good soldiers.

But soldiers who are deeply loved by a good, good Father who cares for us. While we do not want to suffer, when it comes, we allow God to use it to form His character in us and draw us into His embrace.

The source of these characteristics is our relationship with Jesus. As we spend time with Him, we catch His heart for the lost. The Master wept over Jerusalem, His heart was broken over their resistance to His truth.

Are you able to see the people around you with His eyes of love and compassion? Our ability to empathize with others is vital if we want to minister. If we come as a Savior, we will fail. Only Christ can save. If we come with the heart of a servant, His salvation will flow through us. One thing that sustains people in the field is knowing God has called them there. This may be a supernatural encounter you point to. It may simply be a deep knowing that comes from the study of His Word and the Great Commission.

Either way, you need to know that God has directed you to the work you do. This foundational sense of calling from God will keep you in the times you desperately want to quit and go home. Many missionaries drift into activities not related to their original call. Sometimes, God is redirecting. Other times, we need to realign ourselves. We must go back to what God spoke in the beginning. A cross-cultural minister must be willing to take risks and try new things.

Be it food, or a new cultural dance, our lives require us to step outside of what is comfortable. This is true when it comes to sharing the good news with those around us as well. Not everyone has an extroverted personality.