The World in our ESL Classrooms
The world is right at our fingertips here in Arlington, Texas. Many are searching for belonging, an opportunity for their families, and new beginnings—and for some that looks like learning English and pursuing American Citizenship. During our interview, Jon Greig shared his story of how teaching our ESL Citizenship class has given him opportunities to express his love for and serve people from other countries. Rhoda Morgan, Director of ESL at GCC, also shares her perspective on the ministry and Jon’s role as a teacher this semester.
Jon Greig teaching his students the pledge of allegiance to the United States of America.
What is the goal of the Citizenship class within the ESL ministry?
Rhoda Morgan: Our Citizenship class offers people an opportunity to prepare to take the American Citizenship Exam by teaching US history, government and helping them practice answering questions orally, and preparing them on what to expect in their interview. Those who take the class have a pretty good grasp of the English language, have completed the 5-year residency requirement, and are ready for the next step after ESL, to become a citizen.
What passions led you to find and pursue leading the Citizenship class?
Jon standing at the front of the classroom explaining what that day’s lesson would be covering.
Jon Greig: 15 years ago, in 2006, I was chaperoning for a youth group as the church van driver to a missions convention called “Acquire the Fire”. I was sitting in this convention and God just started to stir my heart for missions. It was really clear to me. Around that time, within a few months, I had a dream from the Lord that was very clear.
In this dream I was laying on the floor praying when a lady came up and prophesied to me. Sometimes I would get homesick for my home state of Michigan. But in the dream she told me stop focusing on a couple of places in Michigan, and said “God is sending you to the nations. He’s sending you to Africa, Norway, and the Middle East.”
That was the start of God putting something in me for missions. Later on, a guy came to our church who would invite people to come on evangelism mission trips with him to Central America. Over several years I went on seven missions trips with that ministry— Honduras five times, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. It all fueled the fire for missions, so to speak.
Then I got married to my wife (who is from Mexico), helped her get her citizenship and went to law school in Virginia. All during this season, I kept having dreams about missions and being sent to the nations. I also studied immigration law at law school and was learning about religious freedom in the nation of Turkey. Over these years, God has begun to fit everything in my life together—like puzzle pieces from my dreams. He gave me a little picture here, a little picture there, and He has been putting the pieces together.
Over time it’s felt like I’ve had these long seasons of waiting, feeling forgotten at times by the Lord, but ultimately knowing it’s okay. But I’ve seen God fulfill things over time as I’ve waited on him. With my law degree, my heart for missions, the heart my wife and I have for the persecuted church—all these things have developed a heart in me for people from other countries and has given me a desire to serve them.
So when we got involved in a Pray Always group last fall, I reached out to Jonathan Scheffrahn about what I could do with the gifts and passions I have. He said, “What about joining our ESL ministry?”. He showed me a video about what they do, and something in my spirit leapt while watching that video. So I contacted Rhoda Morgan to ask how I could get involved!
Did you start teaching the class right after that?
Jon: It’s kinda funny because she said “Oh we don’t need you. Our classes are currently closed (I think she said she had all the volunteers she needed) because of COVID, but if there’s an opportunity, I’ll let you know.” But a month or so later, she approached me in church and said “Actually, I need people to be health screeners and take people’s temperatures.” I thought to myself “Okay, I don’t know if I want to just be a health screener—I was hoping for something a little bigger than that—but if this is an opportunity, I should let it play out. I should just get started.”
I took people’s temperatures for about three weeks, and then Rhoda mentioned they had previously offered a Citizenship class. I said, “I can do that.” So she put together a class for me to teach. My class had four students, two from Vietnam, one from India, and a young lady from Mexico.
So Rhoda, what’s the story behind turning Jon away?
One of the Citizenship students reading about the Supreme Court in his textbook.
Rhoda: It was torture turning away this young, new couple, eager to get involved with ESL, because our classes were still closed due to the pandemic. But while I was lamenting, God was putting strategic pieces in place, preparing an opportunity both for Jon to serve and for those who were emailing me eager to take part in a Citizenship preparation course. Jon hadn't done any teaching before but his passion for history, his experience working through the immigration system with his wife and the God-calling on his heart gave him courage and anticipation. Anyone who gets a chance to talk to Jon will immediately pick up on his love for the Lord and total dedication to serve Him with all his heart. Jon thoroughly embraced the teaching role, was energized by interacting with his students and they in turn loved coming to his class.
In time, I got to hear more about Jon's story, his profession in the area of law, and his heart for immigrants and the persecuted church, and I began to realize that Jon might be an answer to a prayer I've had for many years - to be able to have more resources in which to help our students who often feel lost in navigating the immigration system. God's got great plans for the gifts and passion He's given Jon and his wife Leslie, it will be exciting to see how we can work together.
How has leading this class made you feel?
Jon: I feel a real connection and excitement. I work a job right now that isn’t my dream, but it pays the bills. But when I get to teach my Citizenship class I come home feeling refreshed and excited about what I’m doing. I feel happy. I enjoy it.
I feel like there’s a real connection here with my calling, getting to work with people from other countries, and doing what God has gifted me to do. It feels good to do something where you feel God’s pleasure. When you’re not just doing what you have to do, but you’re actually doing something you want to do.
Do you have visions for the future of ESL, or for your own ministry?
Jon: I'm hopeful that this will lead to bigger things for God's kingdom. I don't know exactly what that would look like, but I'm hopeful. My wife and I have talked about starting my own immigration law firm, which we're still praying about. I would love to work in a ministry like Voice of the Martyrs or some ministry that works with persecuted Christians, like a relief organization that ministers to refugees.
If there are more ways that we can serve the immigrant community here in Arlington, I would love to help with growing that area. At the All-Church Fun Day I was looking around and seeing all the diversity in that small group of our church. You just see so many different people here in Arlington that are diverse from everywhere. Not long ago, I ran into a guy from Palestine at a restaurant and shared the gospel with him. The world is right here, you know?
What has it been like working with the ESL team?
Jon: It's been really great. Rhoda is very supportive, encouraging, positive, and just helpful. Israel Iyoke will come to sit in class with me, which I appreciate. It feels nice to be appreciated and to be needed on the team.
What do you hope for your Citizenship class members?
Jon: I hope they see God's love. The goal of the class is to help them become citizens, I want to make sure I keep my focus on that. That's the main goal for them. That's why they're here. But I hope I also can impart to them a love for our country, and help them see how love of God is a big part of our nation’s history. That through my love and time with them, they experience the love of Christ.
Flashcards that give examples of the types of questions that Citizenship applicants would find in their test.
How have you seen the Lord working through this Citizenship class?
Rhoda: One day Jon texted me and asked if I could get some "newcomer" packets together to give to his students that night—he was going to share the Gospel and wanted to invite them to connect with us as a church body. Not only was Jon interested in helping his students become citizens of the United States, but he wanted them to know about the ultimate gift of citizenship in heaven! Jon presented the Gospel and continues to stay in touch and pray for his students. Is God working - ABSOLUTELY!
How does having passionate volunteers make your job easier and take the ESL ministry further?
A group of ESL students in the ‘Level 2’ class. In February of 2019 they were learning basic nouns and verbs and beginning to have conversations as a group to practice using them in an everyday context.
Rhoda: There's nothing I love more than helping people of all types (bold/shy, outgoing/nervous, experienced/inexperienced, passionate/still searching) get an opportunity to see how THEY can be a part of God's Great Commission right here in Arlington, right here at Grace Community Church. We have stopped "advertising" our classes to the community because we end up with waiting lists from just word-of-mouth. Our students LOVE to come to our classes because they get more than just awesome English learning and practice, they feel loved and cared for by their teachers and staff, who like Jon, may come to class tired from a long day at work, but leave exhilarated from the joy of loving and serving the nations! And when those on our team extend themselves outside of class, the stories are awesome—friendships blossom, families are blessed, Jesus is glorified. People are open, receptive and hungry to know—and they're right here in our own backyard!
It gives me goosebumps to think of what kind of God-explosion could happen right here in Arlington if we all took reaching out to someone across comfort zones or international zones seriously. I believe He's preparing us for such an explosion. One of the most life-changing things I learned about God 25+ years ago is that if I don't "have" something that God says I can/should have, that I can ASK FOR IT! HE will supply it, even the want-to (feelings, motivation) to do the things He calls us to. He has the power to turn a passion-less heart into a passionate one—if we'll ASK!