Exploring intercultural church and mission - and collaboration

Osoba Otaigbe introduces the Intercultural Church and City Transformation Gathering, an event in January that brings together Christians from diverse cultures and streams to foster unity and empower the Church to make a lasting impact on cities for Christ

Cultural diversity is a precious gift from God that needs to be celebrated. God desires to bring all people from all cultures to himself, and wants to help us break down the barriers that divide us and better value the contributions each culture can make. 

The intercultural church and city transformation vision is an intercultural church that embraces different perspectives; fostering understanding, respect and unity in Christ. It reflects the picture in Revelation where people from all backgrounds, nations, generations and class will one day worship together harmoniously. A kingdom community that is life-giving and and trusts that God’s Spirit opens us to new experiences. 

But embracing cultural diversity is a challenge. Too often we are divided.

So will you join us and become part of a movement that's willing to wrestle with the challenge and embrace the opportunity for the church to reflect God's infinite love, bringing reconciliation and transformation in our places?

Building upon the success of previous city-wide conversations on Intercultural Church and City Transformation in some cities across the UK, we are thrilled to announce the upcoming Intercultural Church and City Transformation Gathering.

This momentous gathering, set to take place on 20 January 2024, will bring together Christians from diverse cultures and streams to foster unity and diversity, empowering the Church to make a lasting impact on cities for Christ. 

This event is put together by Gather Movement and Bible Society in partnership with One People Commission (Evangelical Alliance), Churches Together in England, Intercultural Churches UK, Afro Diaspora Mission Network, Welcome Churches, Agape UK, and Share Jesus International.

The conference promises a dynamic program filled with engaging keynote speeches, interactive workshops, and panel discussions. Attendees can look forward to networking opportunities with like-minded individuals and hearing inspiring testimonies of Kingdom impact.

Moreover, visionary strategies to create lasting change will be shared, providing attendees with practical tools and resources to build relationships across cultures and also to transform their communities.

The conference will address two crucial issues at the heart of God's mission.

Firstly, we will explore the "Why and How" of Intercultural Church and Mission, delving into the Biblical mandate and innovative approaches that enable the Church to bridge divides, break barriers, and embrace the rich diversity within our communities.

Through thought-provoking discussions and shared experiences, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of fostering intercultural unity.

Secondly, the conference will emphasise the power of collaboration. By uniting our efforts for Christ's sake, we become unstoppable.

Whether you are a unity leader, church representative, or a passionate Christian in any sphere, this gathering presents a unique opportunity to forge strong connections, pool resources, and work harmoniously towards bringing about transformative change.

Together, we will build strong, vibrant, and Kingdom communities in our cities, fulfilling Christ's call to love and serve one another.

We believe that something powerful happens when Christians from different cultures and streams come together for the sake of their place.

This conference is a catalyst for unity and cultural diversity, equipping believers to impact cities and transform lives.

 

The Intercultural Church and City Transformation Conference will be held at Gateway Church Leeds. Registration is now open, and spaces are limited.

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a movement that seeks to build bridges, break barriers, and create lasting change.

For more information and to register, visit www.gathermovement.org/intercultural 

Download this flyer, which also has more information

The Revd Osoba Otaigbe is Church Engagement at Bible Society, a Gather Movement associate, and a Baptist minister.

He is the author of Building Cultural Intelligence in Church and Ministry and passionate about fostering unity, diversity, and transformation within the Church and the wider community.