The
captain and his wife didn’t set out to develop so many programs.
Rather, the ministries blossomed as an evangelistic team
faithfully visited the neighborhoods around the corps each
Saturday and learned about the community’s needs.
Two of the five regular team members are Susana Aguilar and
Tu Ye Kocurek.
Tu Ye, who came to the United States from Korea in 1974,
prepares a hot meal for the prayer breakfast that takes place
before the door–to–door outreach. Then she goes out with the
team.
When they encounter a home where people speak Spanish, Susana
typically steps forward to explain the services and ministries
offered at Houston International. One of her main messages is
very simple.
"So few people who live nearby know that The Salvation Army
is a church, and it is an honor for me to tell them about what
we are trying to do," Susana says. With her husband, Francisco,
she team–teaches the Spanish Adult Bible Class; the couple is
also involved with many youth programs during the week.
"I want to serve God, and I want to be constantly doing good
for him," Susana says.
Praying in cells
To her, prayer is just as important as evangelism, so she has
taken it upon herself to organize prayer cells; some are made up
of people who don’t all speak the same language. Susana keeps
the cells abreast of prayer concerns and reminds members to pray
at 6 a.m. every day. That way, Susana says, everyone is aware of
the power of corporate prayer even when people aren’t in the
same room.
"This is a praying corps," says soldier (member) Jenny
Boullion, "and it is a joy to watch how God is answering prayer,
no matter what language we speak."
David Offiah, an African–American who has been a member
(soldier) of Houston International for four years, is one of
several ESL teachers for adults.
"Although my class is taught in English, there are students
representing 10 different countries," he says. David also tutors
children in the after–school program and teaches an adult Bible
class on Sunday. The manager of a local restaurant, David works
the night shift on Saturdays just so he can be available for
Sunday morning worship.
He calls the Houston International Corps an "experiment," one
that seems to be working for the good of God’s Kingdom.
"This is truly a community church—and we have many soldiers
who feel ownership in our ministry here," says Stephen. It is
because of everyone’s hard work that we believe God is blessing
us with healthy growth."
The captain sees a biblical mandate in the church’s
multicultural emphasis. "My philosophy for pastoring a church is
to follow the command Jesus ... gave us, to go out into the
community and preach the Gospel to all nations," Stephen says.
That sounds like heaven on the way to Heaven.
Copyright
©
2008 -
