Opening Ethnic Doors by Ben Tobias with Pastor Tracey Utermahlen
A growing number of CGGC
congregations have been reaching out to multiethnic groups in their communities, primarily by opening their doors to share facilities. GR Director Ben Tobias interviewed Tracey Utermahlen, pastor of the West Poplar Street Church of God (ERC), to find out what God is doing in their community. How is your church reaching out to your multiethnic neighbors? In the beginning of 2019, our congregation met for a Dream Retreat and set goals to accomplish becoming more open and loving to the neighborhood. But what we quickly found out is, this congregation of Pastor Tracey Utermahlen mostly elderly people just didn’t have the stamina or ability to learn the language and culture. Annual block parties, and giving away freeze pops on hot Summer afternoons was not the total answer. This neighborhood of beautiful people need Godly relationships. Just like the rest of us. People need people. God provided the best answer of all! He placed a passion within the hearts of the leadership here at West Poplar Street and at Latino Ministries for the city of York. Right here, in our front yard. We welcomed Esperanza De Gloria Church of God to share the West Poplar Street Church building to further impact the multicultural neighborhood we are part of. 8 September/October 2021
