by Jotham Johann Jhang

The foretaste of the heavenly feast to come!  Every time we celebrate the Eucharist, we are reminded that we are in communion with God through Christ.  We look forward to that day when we are in heaven, partaking in the feast that is forever, the eternal Eucharist. And we will be sharing this everlasting meal, with “...a great multitude that no one could count, from every ethnic group, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb…” (Revelation 7:9).     

    God sent His precious Son from a culture of perfect communion, cooperation, and collaboration into a world full of misunderstanding, fear, violence, and barriers.  Out of grace and pure love, the incarnate Jesus “crossed over” to share his message of hope, salvation, reconciliation, and communion.          

     The Day of Pentecost was  Christ’s provision for us to meet the after-effects of the Tower of Babel debacle.  On that day, Christ empowered us through the sending of the Counselor, providing us “cross-cultural equipment” for us to carry out the Great Commission.

    Almost 2000 years after the Day of Pentecost, LCMS World Mission, launched a special effort, involving districts, congregations, and mission-active people called Pentecost 2000+. “P2K+” was designed as an reignition for churches that had lost focus in Christ’s cross-cultural work and His vision of heaven.  It was also meant for churches that wanted to engage their “Samaria”, but needed encouragement and equipment to cross over cultural barriers.  The overall vision of P2K was and still is to see Lutheran congregations better reflecting the changing face of America, a face which looks “more like heaven.”

    Although the original goal of this effort was to begin 100 new cross-cultural ministries by the end of the year 2000, the goal was quickly adjusted to 1000, as many congregations “wanted in on the action”.  At printing, 789 new ministries, including new missions, ESL programs, food pantries, Bible studies, etc. to people from a different culture, have been started!

     To celebrate God’s remarkable faithfulness, a special celebration extravaganza is being planned called “One People-Many Faces!” This event, kicking off the next LCMS Convention is slated for July 9-10, 2004 at the America’s Center in St. Louis, MO. “One People-Many Faces” will  share  the story of cong-                                                               

                 regations and individuals reaching out in love and care, sharing the message of Jesus with people of other cultures.  It is expected that over 1000 cross-cultural ministries will be registered by July, 2004.

     Besides worship services, the Pentecost Celebration event will also equip participants through a series of learnings from highlighted ministries, and vignettes through personal testimonies and stories of people touched and changed by Christ through the ministries. These learnings will be featured through a CNN-style “Talk Back Live” format, utilizing a high-tech, multi-media backdrop.               

    Another part of the Pentecost Celebration will feature an international feast which will provide another “foretaste of the heavenly feast to come,” with a variety of ethnic foods available for sharing. The event will culminate with the launching of the ambitious “Ablaze” effort, the synod’s endeavor to help reach out and share the Gospel with 100 million people worldwide by the year 2017, the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s 95 Theses.

   CAME, an active member of  P2K+, celebrates the over 200 cross-cultural ministries to Asian immigrants started by Lutheran congregations, as a part of this effort!       May God bless our continued efforts to “cross-over” and share the Good news that the everlasting feast awaits us in heaven!

   
Jotham Johann Jhang
Executive Director
CAME

 
For more information about “One People-Many Faces”, please contact Marie Biesenthal (P2K+ Coordinator) at Marie.Biesenthal@lcms.org. The P2K+ Celebration Steering Committee members include Rev. John Nunes of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Dallas, TX., Rev. Dr. Robert Scudieri of LCMS World Mission, Jane Schmotzer of Lutheran Hour  Ministries and Jotham Johann Jhang, who serves as the committee’s Chairman. Phil Hohle (video), Rev. Al Buckman (learnings research), and Rev. Glenn Lucas (stage direction) are assisting.

 
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