Starting Somewhere

This afternoon, I just went to gathering at a centrally located place in this city full of glitzy stuff. In paper, this meeting looks like a sure success. The organizer invited a prominent lay pastor from another city. The pastor speaks the language of the target group. He sings well. He is a dynamic speaker. Looks like a recipe for success. However, this meeting was a dud. Only three people came from the target group of Asian contract workers of this city. What could have been done better?

First of all, in any Christian ministry, the principle of going still applies. We need to go where people are. We should seek them out and find out where our target group are meeting and congregating. Second, there is no exchange for one-on-one interaction. Good music is a plus. Dynamic speakers are even a bonus. But if these things do not encourage people to interact face-to-face, they are a boon.

It is good that this afternoon gathering is starting. We need to start somewhere. However, to sustain a ministry among Asian migrant workers in Taiwan, we need these two principles I just enumerated to be religiously applied. God's Holy Spirit works through people. And if we can provide the bridges for the Spirit to move among the people, then it is much better.