Language Ministries
Vision/Goals:
Our vision is to facilitate healthy churches, through the planting and strengthening of congregations, among as many language groups in our area as God gives us opportunity. Our dream is to expand into two new language groups annually.
Description of Ministry:
Our strategy is built on “Great Commission” principles. Evangelism (“Going”) involves outreach to people groups where God is at work and where He has formed churches in years past. Church Planting (“baptizing” suggests congregationalizing) expands the work among a people group, as well as extending the work to other people groups not yet reached. Discipleship, or congregational development and discipleship (“teaching them to observe all I have taught you”), assist new churches to grow in a more effective and healthy way.
We currently have ministry among Korean, Hispanic, Chinese, Vietnamese, Haitian, Ethiopian, Filipino, Liberian, Nepalese, Arabic and East Indian (Technically, “the deaf”, among whom we also have ministry, would be classified as a language group, too.) Annual retreats are held for many of these groups.
To coordinate and assist in these efforts, a Language Advisory Council representing seven of these language groups and our state staff, meets every other month. In addition, we have a catalytic missionary who assists us in focusing upon Asian people groups.
DEAF MINISTRY
Vision/Goals:
Our vision is to facilitate healthy churches and ministry, through the planting and strengthening of congregations, among the deaf community.
Description of Ministry:
Our strategy is built on “Great Commission” principles. Evangelism (“Going”) involves outreach to the deaf community where God is at work and where He has formed churches or church ministries in years past. Church Planting (“baptizing” suggests congregationalizing) expands the work among the deaf community. Discipleship, or congregational development and discipleship (“teaching them to observe all I have taught you”), assist deaf churches, and churches with deaf ministries, to grow their work in a more effective and healthy way.
We currently have ministry among the deaf in several congregations, convention-wide. Our ministry also includes one deaf church (not just a ministry of a “hearing” church), Open Bible Deaf Church.
To coordinate and assist in these efforts, a Deaf Church and Ministry Committee, composed of both deaf and hearing leadership among the deaf community, meets throughout the year. Bill Tipton currently leads this group.
Contact Information:
Rolando Castro, Language Churches (including Deaf) Missionary
(410) 290-5290, extension 221, rcastro@bcmd.org
Misty Pearson, Language Churches (including Deaf) Ministry Assistant
(410) 290-5290, extension 222, mpearson@bcmd.org