Reaching Unreached People Groups in Texas

STORY BY JOYCE PORTO

God has been doing an amazing movement as He brings different cultures and people groups to Texas to hear the gospel for the first time. These people may be in your neighborhood, church, or even in the new shop or restaurant that opened in your city.

These are great opportunities of accomplishing the Great Commission Jesus gave us to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Even though the nations are coming to our backyard and there are so many unreached people groups in Texas, we still have questions on how to testify and share the gospel among so many cultural and religious differences.

Let’s walk through some practical ways you can make disciples among the nations.

For many cultures, one of the most effective ways of getting together is through a good meal. You can invite a neighbor or an international student to experience an American meal and have them bring a dish from their culture. This encounter provides proximity and opens a door to introduce the gospel.

Another effective way is to help someone to improve their English skills. You can volunteer in a church ESL program or in a local community ESL class and talk to people from other languages. While you help them to improve their English skills, you can also teach them Bible stories and verses as a way of helping them to expand their vocabulary. Many of us do not realize that English is a powerful tool to share the gospel and make disciples. We only need to go and talk to people.

A great way to disciple someone from another faith is to hear about their worldview and faith beliefs. Around us are people who think very differently than we do when it comes to faith. Maybe they have never heard about Jesus. We can build bridges with people of other faiths like Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, and many other religions, as we get to share our faith in Jesus. We can ask them questions about what they believe and how they worship. Listening to them is as important as sharing because we can answer questions they might have about our faith and build a solid foundation for the gospel in their lives. So, do not be afraid of asking questions and being open to answer the questions they have about Christianity as well.

Other practical ways to disciple the nations include: offering a multicultural Sunday school class in your church, volunteering at a refugee complex, offering a sport club, women’s event, or a fun day of activities for kids and teens.

When it comes to different cultures and faiths we need to embrace the Great Commission as a mandate Jesus gave to us, His church. In history, many men and women left all they had to go to a faraway land to preach the gospel. They did not have the technology, the geographical and linguistic knowledge, or resources we have today. However, they embraced Jesus’ mandate and went throughout the world making disciples of all nations. Today, God is doing something different. He is bringing the nations to us, and we can make disciples of all nations in our beautiful state of Texas.

For more information on engaging and discipling people from other cultures and faiths, contact joyce.wmutx@txb.org

What a privilege we have to disciple the nations, making disciples who will make disciples!