Reflecting the Gospel for All People
- Rev. Jonathan Lee
- Apr 20
- 2 min read
One of the great blessings of the Upper Midwest Annual Conference is our commitment to ethnic ministry. I am deeply grateful that our conference has established a Team on Ethnic Ministry, creating meaningful space for ethnic pastors, leaders, and churches to be seen, heard, supported, and equipped. This is not simply an organizational achievement. It reflects the gospel itself.
The good news of Jesus Christ is for all people, in all places, at all times. In a world that too often divides people by language, culture, custom, race, or nationality, the gospel proclaims a greater truth: every person is made in the image of God and carries immeasurable worth. Through the cross of Christ, God is restoring what was broken and calling people into one new humanity in Jesus.
As Paul writes in Colossians 3:11, “Here there is no Gentile or Jew... but Christ is all, and is in all.” In Christ, we are invited into a church that honors the gifts and graces of all people and lives as one body, belonging to one another.
The Ethnic Ministry Team has been meeting regularly with a clear purpose: to help our conference become more faithful, more welcoming, and more effective in reaching all people with the love of Christ. Our work has focused on five important areas.
First, we are building relationships across our large annual conference. Trust and partnership begin with knowing one another well.
Second, we are sharing leadership by encouraging ethnic representation on conference committees. This gives more people the opportunity to serve and strengthens our common life through diverse perspectives and experiences.
Third, we are supporting ethnic churches and pastors, especially those facing challenges related to finances, status, or worship space. We want pastors and congregations to know they do not have to walk alone.
Fourth, we are encouraging partnerships between congregations. These relationships can provide practical support, encouragement, and a stronger foundation for ministry.
Fifth, we are promoting education so that churches and leaders understand how they can faithfully structure ministry to reach ethnic communities in their local contexts.
