One God - Diverse Communities

This week, I will have the pleasure of a pastor from Zimbabwe preaching our Revival services at my church.  He preached last year, and our "small country church" fell in love with this man who has such a different background from all of us.

Many of my people were born and raised in rural North Carolina.  Most of them are at least familiar with farm life.

I come from a rural background, but not a farming community.  My "rural-ness" was in the woods.  I then lived in an urban setting for several years.

None of us have extensive travel to other countries.  Some have been on short vacations to other nations, but none to my knowledge have been on long visits to other nations.

Sadly, we become accustomed to "our way" as being the "right way."  Having a cultural foundation is a good thing.  Having roots is good.  Being "stuck" to our own ways is where danger enters.

The pastor who is coming lived most of his life in Zimbabwe in Africa.  He was born when the country was still under colonial occupation and called Rhodesia.  He was there when Zimbabwe gained its independence.  He was raised in tribal and modern African customs.

Through God, our diverse communities and backgrounds will become one united in God's message.  The difference in accents, race, worship styles, political views, etc. will be unimportant as we all worship God and see God from each other's point of view.