In 2001, I founded the Intercultural Ministries (IM) program at Boston's Emmanuel Gospel Center. Over the past two decades it has been my honor to come alongside hundreds of Christian leaders from around the world - immigrants, refugees, asylum-seekers, and internationals. We have learned from one another, wept together, rejoiced together, cooperated and collaborated in a myriad of ways. All with the aim of expressing and expanding the beautiful Kingdom of God, on earth as it is in heaven. And that work continues to this day.
In late 2019, I transitioned from my role as IM Director to become an IM Consultant. My colleague, Sarah Blumenshine, has been directing Intercultural Ministries since that time while I have undertaken various consulting projects. This year my consulting has broadened beyond the IM space to include leadership health and organizational development. The kind of consulting I do doesn’t often draw the big payouts that it would if I was working for a big corporation. My passion is for uncovering grassroots efforts and connecting the Church in transformative ways across cultural lines, as well as supporting Christian leaders to tend to their emotional, spiritual, and physical health. Because these spaces often involve working with churches, organizations, and leaders that don’t have tons of cash, I need ongoing financial support to continue to do this important and timely work. For the past year, I have consulted with Kataluma Refugee Hospitality, a young developing nonprofit extending hospitality to Afghan, Ukrainian, and other refugee families. (This is separate from EGC’s current IM efforts under Sarah's leadership which are also aimed at mobilizing the Church to serve recently arrived Afghan families.)
As a donor-supported staff member of a Christian non-profit, I have always relied on support from those who believe in my work. In some cases I have provided consulting services for which I have been paid, but the primary way I have been sustained over all these years is from individuals and churches who support me with regular and occasional financial support. Each year, I trust God to put the puzzle pieces of support together to make ends meet. This year-end campaign is an important part of that equation.
I am asking both old and new donors to help me continue my work, to be one of the puzzle pieces that God uses to sustain me in this work. I am seeking to raise $10,000 to help me begin 2023 on a strong financial footing.
I know that many folks today are also struggling to make ends meet, so we take helpful guidance on giving from the Apostle Paul:
"And in this matter I give my advice.
For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need."
-2 Corinthians 8:10,12-14
P.S. If you cannot give financially, Rita and I always covet your prayers and friendship! I will be updating this campaign weekly through the end of the year. Look for my updates to come. The picture in this campaign is a sweet memory from our couple trip to Nova Scotia this past summer.
