Intercultural Conference encourages ethnic outreach

Participants at LCC’s 2014 Intercultural Conference.

EDMONTON – Representing nine ethnic backgrounds and speaking over 19 languages, participants from across Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) gathered for an Intercultural Conference at Concordia Lutheran Church in Edmonton, June 26-28. The conference is sponsored by LCC, and held every few years as funds are available.

“The conference once more gave us an opportunity to see the church’s mission field—to see the possibilities God grants us in working together with brothers and sisters from different parts of the world,” explained Rev. Dr. Leonardo Neitzel, LCC’s Executive for Missions and Social Ministry. “As the Lord invites us to ‘come to Him Who answers prayers,’ I would encourage LCC congregations to pray for the ethnic communities in their areas—to embrace and welcome them into the fellowship of our Lord and to support them in outreach to members of their culture and language. May the name of Jesus be proclaimed to all nations, praised and glorified in many languages by diverse cultures and peoples of the world!”

Conference participants take part in discussions.

Before the conference, participants went on a Prayer Walk, touring the neighbourhood around the church, pausing to pray at various locations or for specific individuals they met on the way. The Mill Woods community, where the church is located, reflects a diversity of cultures including East Indian, Italian, Chinese and European populations.

A highlight of the conference came on Friday evening with a Multicultural Concert of Prayer and Song. Participants prayed and sang in their native languages as all made a joyful noise to the Lord. An offering was gathered for the Greater Toronto Area Mission, a radio program hosted by Rev. James Luke, Joseph Singh, and Javed Akhtar. The program proclaims the Gospel in the Urdu, Hindi, and Punjabi languages.

All participants were given time to share their individual joys, challenges, issues and concerns regarding their respective field of work. Many told their personal stories of how they came to Canada and became involved with the church.

Presenters included Rev. Don Schiemann, President of the ABC District, Rev. Dr. Glenn Schaeffer, Executive Assistant—Outreach, ABC District, and Fikre Tsehai representing Canadian Lutheran World Relief. The group also heard from Pilgrim Lutheran Church (Hamilton, Ontario) and Faith Lutheran Church (Surrey, British Columbia) and how those congregations are welcoming people of different cultures and languages into their fellowship.

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