A New View of Multiethnic Ministry

Can you tell us about The Navigators' commitment to ethnic ministry?

Three years ago, we launched a new national office called Cultural Affairs to champion the biblical value of ethnic diversity throughout our U.S. Navigator ministries. We have four major thrusts:

Resourcing our four national Navigator ethnic ministries.

Partnering with our various U.S. ministry entities to intentionally increase our effectiveness among ethnic minority people and benefit from their contributions.

Stepping up our commitment to find quality men and women of diverse ethnic backgrounds to serve at our U.S. headquarters.

Training our leaders to wisely and respectfully lead in a multiethnic environment.

Why did 120 national Navigator leaders go to the largest urban center in the United States to consider ethnic diversity?

We brought this group to New York City to create a "working laboratory" that would help us pursue two vital issues related to ethnic diversity: understanding and commitment.

The national leaders came to New York City for a deeper understanding of the beauty, strengths, challenges, and needs of ethnic minority peoples of our country. But also, we knew that an understanding from the heart would make room for a different quality of commitment from national leaders. We wanted them to leave not with a collection of interesting materials but a library of indelible memories.

What did Navigator leaders hear in New York about the need for the ministry to change?

It was a wake-up call for us! We cannot go on with business as usual. I believe God revealed our shallow understanding of the issues at the heart of taking the Gospel cross culturally in this country. He pointed out the depth of commitment needed to make a difference.

It will take more than we thought to root multiplying ministries among the ethnic peoples of the United States. We're not just talking about finances. Often Anglo leaders become frustrated with ethnic minorities, thinking, We've given them money and other resources, what more do they want?

The question is not what more do they want, but what more do they need. Centuries of oppression, slavery, broken treaties, prison camps, and the like have leached dignity from the souls of ethnic minority people who want to celebrate their unique creation in the image of God. What people want is an environment in which their dignity is affirmed, honored, and built up.

Why are you excited to lead The Navigators' charge in terms of cultural affairs and ethnic ministry?

This is God's doing! Everywhere I go in the United States, I see God at work raising the consciousness and commitment of His people to work together in ways that value the dignity and honor of every person.

Department leaders at our U.S. headquarters have begun visiting ethnic minority churches in our local area, Colorado Springs, to help us hire and retain more men and women of color at our facility.

Along with the ministry leaders and their teams, I'm thrilled to have such a gifted team here in Colorado Springs. MelindaJoy Mingo directs the communications, human resources, public relations, and administrative functions of our team. Chuck Broughton handles intercultural training, development of ministry materials, and strategic planning. Rick and Debbie Yorgey, who moved into inner-city Washington, D.C., 12 years ago, coordinate the prayer and special projects functions in Cultural Affairs.

We have just released a powerful video, Building Bridges: A Kairos Moment, highlighting our historic leadership gathering in New York City. And we're setting up an Ethnic Ministry Fund as a national endeavor to provide a regular income stream to sustain momentum and launch new initiatives in our ethnic-focused ministries.