Celebrating the Faithfulness of God

January 1, 1970

Celebrating the Faithfulness of God

By Mark DeYmaz

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Earlier this month, two healthy multiethnic churches in and near Charlotte, NC, celebrated double-digit anniversaries. 

 

Together with the people of Mosaic Church (Charlotte), founding pastors Naeem and Ashley Fazal celebrated sixteen years of fruitful ministry on the north side of the city. Further south, founding pastors Derwin and Vicki Gray celebrated twelve years of similar fruit and effectiveness with the people of Transformation Church (Indian Land, SC).

 

Of course, the anniversary of any plant is significant; particularly those of a church that has passed the seven- to ten- year mark, having moved from survival to stability. But when multiethnic churches planted by non-majority culture leaders reach their early to mid-teen years, it is worth a double mention and honor. 

 

There are a number of common challenges that must be overcome in any church plant if the church is to effectively grow and develop. Yet there’s an additional set of obstacles facing church planters seeking to transcend ethnic and economic barriers, the overcoming of which are essential for building a healthy multiethnic church. To be sure, differences in personality and preference exist in a homogeneous church.

 

Yet when entire cultures come together under one roof, the challenges are multiplied. But so are the joys of overcoming them! 

 

Pastors of effective and healthy multiethnic churches, like Naeem and Derwin, have learned how to empower diverse leaders and staff teams; to help their people develop cross-cultural relationships; to build cross-cultural intelligence and competence within the congregation; to promote an authentic spirit of inclusion; and to mobilize diverse believers for collective impact and engagement in their communities. 

 

Furthermore, where these multiethnic churches are also urban or otherwise financially challenged, pastors have learned how to leverage congregational assets to bless the community and generate sustainable income beyond tithes and offerings in pursuit of sustainability. They know, too, that justice is not peripheral but intrinsic to the Gospel.

 

These and other aspects of multiethnic church planting, growth, and development, will be the focus of Mosaix’ upcoming pre-conference at Exponential, Monday through Tuesday, March 7–8, 2022, in Orlando, FL. They will also be the focus of my upcoming webinar featuring Derwin, Naeem and Kristin Mockler Young (from Mosaic Charlotte) on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EST.  Hope you will plan to join us and bring your thoughts or questions for live interaction with Naeem, Kristin, and Derwin.

 

By the way, on April 3, my own church plant, the Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas, celebrates its twentieth anniversary, having been planted on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2001. In fact, my good friends, worship leader Dathan Thigpen and Miles McPherson, founding pastor of the Rock Church in San Diego, California, will be in Little Rock that day to help us do so. 

 

From the beginning of my own multiethnic church plant, Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 5:24 have undergirded the faith, courage, and sacrifice required of my wife, Linda, and me, to remain patient and persistent for more than twenty years in the urban center of Little Rock. May these words strengthen you too, in this moment … whoever you are, wherever you may be, and in whatever it is God is calling you to do for His glory (see Matthew 5:16), for the sake of the Gospel.

Faithful is He that calls you, and He also will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

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Excerpt from Mark DeYmaz who is the directional leader at Mosaic Church (Little Rock, AR) and Woodcrest Chapel (Columbia, MO). He is the co-founder/CEO of Mosaix Global Network, an Outreach magazine contributing editor, and the author of numerous books, including Disruption: Repurposing the Church to Redeem the Community and The Coming Revolution in Church Economics.