Psalm 47:6-8 Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise. God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.

The book of Revelation begins with an amazing scene- hundreds of millions of people, the redeemed of all creation encircling the throne of God singing “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” (Revelation 5:12). Within this massive gathering are believers “from every tribe and language and people and nation.” (Revelation 5:9). Black, white, brown and every hue in-between; this is the culmination of all things- a crescendo of thundering worship to God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, Jesus. I get goose bumps just thinking about what that day will be like. Why even I will lift my hands in worship on that day!

You will notice that by God’s intention and design, the church, the body of Christ is multi-cultural and multi-ethnic. It always has been. Because we sit in a fairly mono-chromatic church (read that, “white”) it is easy for us to think that we are at the center of God’s program. The truth is, in the totality of church history we stand in the minority. In fact, today if we were to identify the places in this world where God is powerfully moving, it is not so much in America, England and Europe, but in Asia, Africa and South America.

This is exciting stuff! God is at work in our world and invites us to participate. I believe that if we are to be faithful to God’s mission of reaching the world, our outreach efforts as a church should also reflect the diversity that God desires. As our Psalm above reminds us, God reigns over all the nations. In response to this, GLCC’s global outreach partners in ministry all over the globe. From Jamaica to Indonesia- the sun never sets on a GLCC missionary!

But what about closer to home? Is there a place for multi-ethnic, multi-cultural ministry at GLCC? We have been praying for several years that God would open the door.

In answer to our prayers God first sent us Pastor Yoo and his wife Seran. Through them, Bristow Korean Baptist Church was born. This faithful group of believers meets in our building Sunday afternoons for worship and teaching. This church ministers to first generation Korean immigrants in their own heart language.

Eighteen months ago through the leading of the Spirit, we started a food pantry. Although all kinds of families have benefited from this ministry, we have been particularly effective in reaching out to the Hispanic community. Beginning in 2010 we began to pray specifically asking “What would God have us do next?” Now we know.

God has raised up Gil Portillo & Richard Rivera two GLCC members with a heart for spanish ministry. Beginning midway through October we plan on initiating a Spanish language Bible study for adults and a children’s ministry for their children. Our GLCC spanish ministry will be held on Sunday evenings from 6-7:30 at the church. It will begin with an adult Bible study on the book of John and a children’s program using our Sunday school curriculum in English, since the children are bi-lingual. Gil will begin the initial study; while Richard will work with the children. Tammy Wood, our children’s ministry director will assist in training and adapting our curriculum.

Pray for Gil, Richard and this exciting opportunity.