A church of all colors

Diversity's Symphony from Emanate Media, Samson Varughese on Vimeo.

Can I be real here?  Can I be honest with you for just a minute or two?  I was raised in a tiny little country town.  The school was small and I knew everyone by first name.  Outside of a kid that came to our school for about 1/2 a year in my 3rd or 4th grade year (can't really remember), I never attended school with anyone that was a different color than me.  In fact,  as far as I know, the entire town was either Caucasian or American Indian.  All my friends were white.

It wasn't until the military that I had any interaction with people outside of my own race.  I never thought about it really.  Most of my closest friends in the military were black.  As I would listen to them tell the stories about the narrow minded people they had encountered in their lives, I was embarrassed.  Embarrassed for what other "white" people had done or said to them.  As I began to study the issue, I learned more about the deep hurt that many suffered throughout the south during the 60's.  I learned of the ignorance that some portrayed by thinking that someone was actually different because of the color of their skin, and I was embarrassed.  Segregation...left me embarrassed.  The fact that their needed to be a civil rights movement...left me embarrassed.  The fact that Rosa Parks even had to be courageous in keeping her seat...left me embarrassed.

We've made many mistakes in the past because we were narrow minded and ignorant to the fact that all people are created in God's image.  I think God has placed in me this strong desire to see His church be part of the solution...in this generation.  When Christ returns, and I stand to give an account of how I lead this church...I don't want to be embarrassed.

Have you ever really read John 17:21? 
John 17:21- that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 

I'm so glad that the church God has called me to is filled with all races and kinds of people.  I love that when I look out across our congregation I see a few from India, more than a handful from Africa, a couple from Poland, a family from Costa Rica and even some covered in tattoos and earrings.  THIS is diversity.  THIS is accepting all people as Christ did for us.

I pray that God will continue to take us further into being that multi-cultural church that He desires for us to be.  If you're looking for a place where you can fit in...you'll find that at Highpointe.

10 Reasons why...

So, tonight I've been thinking about why it's important to share this message of God's forgiveness and Grace which came through Jesus. Church folks call it Evangelism, our friends call it "pressure!" (depending on your method and motive).

Regardless of what you call it there are some real reasons that we should tell others about Christ love for them:
1. It's hard to walk away from a faith that you are actively sharing.
2. It's rewarding when you see a friend start their faith journey.
3. Lets face it, there is something exhilarating about sharing our faith. For me it's similar to my first ride on a roller coaster. But every time!
4. It proves to me that I really have a faith at all. When you believe something you act as such.
5. It keeps me from being selfish. "Do I really care if anyone else feels the joy of salvation?”
6. I love Jesus and He tells me to do it.
7. Everywhere Jesus went He told them that forgiveness was available and I want to be just like Jesus.
8. Something inside urges me to tell people about the joy I have found.
9. Faith in Christ will help people and I want to help people.
10. I feel obligated, because I know that someone loved me enough to share...shouldn't I do the same?

This is a pivotal aspect of what we say we believe. I pray that you'll have the courage today to introduce Christ to someone.