By Paul Gunn
Pastor, Tusculum Hills Baptist Church, Nashville
Someday when you come to Nashville, take a drive along Nolensville Road and you’ll see a very interesting situation. Go in one of the international markets. Wow! Nolensville Road is an Epcot® (theme park of Walt Disney World featuring international culture) of sorts, although not a façade like the famous amusement park. This is the real thing — an international community of people starting over in America. Across the street from my church is an elementary school where 26 languages are spoken.
The government has chosen several cities in the United States as refugee resettlement districts and Nashville is one of them. Think of it, there is no better city in America to introduce people to American ways! And it seems like the good, warm-hearted white and black folks of south Nashville are absorbing them well. I am so proud to be part of a culture known for its friendliness.
The refugees and other immigrants I’ve met love America. Many arrive at the Nashville airport and experience freedom from oppression for the very first time in their lives. They love the flag. They are patriotic people looking forward to the day that they, too, will become citizens.
This leads me to the title of this article. People are surprised that Tusculum Hills and other Baptist churches are open to reaching these people. I am surprised that anyone is surprised. I, along with lifelong Baptists I know, had continual age-level training about missions and outreach. I guess I was naïve enough to believe it all because I see our current situation as a natural progression of my training.
If your church is located in one of these unique areas, here’s some encouragement:
(1) Educate your people. Remind them that outreach is a Southern Baptist distinctive. Tell them that God is bringing the nations here to hear the gospel! Help them overcome ideas that other races should worship elsewhere. Teach about becoming a cross-cultural Christian.
(2) Be friendly — that’s key. Maybe your congregation needs to practice eye contact, shaking hands, and saying hello.
(3) Let any program grow out of a real need, not a perceived need. As program-driven people, I believe we are prone to promoting non-field-tested programs and literature. Let’s not do that this time, OK? Let’s just be ready to respond to needs that come our way.
(4) And for Christ’s sake (literally) do not be surprised when God moves!
— Gunn is pastor of Tusculum Hills Baptist Church, Nashville
