Cross Cultural
We are committed to doing our part to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to all peoples of the earth.
The Great Commission
We believe that Jesus intended his followers to complete His Great Commission. Today, there remain thousands of groups of "unreached peoples”, and many of them are “unengaged”. Here is the current situation according to statistics on www.peoplegroups.org
“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all peoples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” —Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20
Unreached People Group (UPG): A distinct ethnic group which does not have enough local followers of Jesus to make disciples among the whole group. Of the roughly 11,700 People Groups in our world (7.3 Billion people), about 7,000 are Unreached People Groups (4 Billion people).
Unengaged Unreached People Group(UUPG): A distinct ethnic group which has no followers of Jesus and among whom no one is actively making disciples. There are approximately 3000 Unengaged Unreached People Groups in our world (220 Million people).
As the Church, the body of Christ, we are all called to obedience in reaching the unreached—some as senders, some as goers, and all of us as pray-ers. We all play a part.
Doing Our Part
Based on Acts 13:1-3, we believe that the local church must be primarily involved in sending and supporting cross-cultural workers. Our commitment at Grace is to send and support those in our church family whom the Lord has called out for the privilege of cross-cultural service. Our long-range goal is to continue sending mature believers to unreached peoples, equipped and part of effective teams, to meet physical and spiritual needs and make disciples. When long-term workers and their families return stateside, we also offer support for the adjustments they need to make as they experience reverse culture shock. If you’d like to know more about how we send workers overseas, contact us.
In addition to working to complete the Great Commission, we also are committed to compassion ministry. Learn about our partnerships here.
For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” —Romans 10:13-15
Local Cross-Cultural Outreach
In obedience to the Great Commission, our cross-cultural outreach is local as well. The Lord of the Harvest has brought the nations to us and has strategically placed us to share the gospel cross-culturally right here at home. An important part of our outreach is to international students, their families, and the many refugees and immigrants who settle here. We desire to build relationships with internationals and share the love of God in Christ. Some of the ways we do this are by offering free ESL (English as a Second Language) classes at our church facility, and helping internationals get settled and adjusted to the city and culture.
And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Upon these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.” —Matthew 22:37-40