Intercultural ministries celebrate God’s work to the nations in Texas

At their annual banquet held Monday in Waco, Texas Baptists Intercultural Ministries celebrated the work happening in diverse churches across the state. Referring to the Convention’s overall theme of “His Kingdom Agenda,” Intercultural Ministries Director Mark Heavener opened the event by thanking the various congregations present.

“In this room tonight, God’s kingdom agenda is visible. I look out and see God’s face. God gave me this joy to work among peoples he has brought here for his good purpose,” said Heavener. “You have come from places experiencing great difficulty to get here. And some have come through great trauma, but God is so great.”

Julio Guarneri, executive director for Texas Baptists, addressed the group briefly as well, noting the diversity in the room that mirrors that of the state.

“As I speak to our 5,300 churches, I remind them that the nations have come to Texas. There are 230 languages spoken in our state, and 80 are spoken in Texas Baptists churches every weekend,” he said, referencing the two bookends in redemption history, Pentecost in Acts 2 and the fulfillment in Revelation 7:9. “That is the ultimate purpose of God: that every people group would be gathered before the throne, giving praise to the Lamb. We live between Pentecost and the vision of John, and all we can do is celebrate and rehearse what will be a reality for eternity. And we can work together so those who have not heard yet will have the opportunity to hear in their heart language.”

Sylvia Ipaye, a former Camp Fusion attendee who now serves as director of counselors there, served as emcee for the banquet, mentioning the provision for churches through the Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions. She then presented the Intercultural Ministries’ “Got Your Back Award” to Beth Campbell, communications specialist for WMU of Texas and program manager for the Mary Hill Davis Offering.

“What a humbling experience. It is such a privilege to serve alongside intercultural ministries with all these people,” said Campbell. “You are the voice, the hands and feet of Jesus with every ministry opportunity you do.”

Raymond Massaad, a member of the Intercultural Ministries Council from Arlington, led the group in worship with two praise songs, then presented a solo in his native Arabic.

The program also included two testimonies from church leaders. Andre Onokoko Shango, pastor of The International Ministries for the Propagation of the Gospel, a congregation focused on French-speaking Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo. He shared about the turmoil and corruption within the second-largest African nation, which has meant great suffering for churches.

Burma native Tera Kouba, minister of International/Asian Ministries at First Baptist Church in San Antonio, also shared about the various ministries she oversees in that city and how she would never have imagined this role as a young girl from Burma.

“This ministry was born out of trust in the Lord in faith and not by sight. (First Baptist) opened the door for Burmese refugees around 2006, then more families arrived from Thailand and other places. They had no idea of these people’s backgrounds and culture, but they have shown love, support, mentorship, leadership and lots of prayers by loving and caring for their neighbors as they loved themselves,” Kouba said. “God did everything in his timing, and many of those refugees have settled, becoming citizens, and many have become believers in Jesus, fulfilling God’s agenda. These ethnic groups have become independent ethnic churches. God is showing his blessing upon his children. They are working as one heart for God’s kingdom.”

Ipaye closed the event by encouraging churches to continue their work despite the hardships of many home nations of Texas congregations.

“There are many countries in critical situations. God’s kingdom agenda is that we spread the gospel,” she said. “Despite everything we are hearing, we can continue to preach the word in and out of season, and God’s word will go forth.”