An Extended Family

In June of 1989, I spent a week in Winnsboro, South Carolina, working at an Athletes for Christ Basketball Camp led by long-time Southern Wesleyan University Coach Charles Wimpfries. That week, I was the only white person on a staff of 14. It was a fascinating week spent serving God and being with my friends. However, it gave me a unique insight into a culture that was very different from my own. 

In the last year, I have been to both Rwanda and Pakistan. I have made many strong friendships during my trips to these two different countries. I have been privileged to preach, interact with Christians, and learn their stories of suffering and victory. 

I am presently typing this article from a hotel room in Jerusalem. My feet are sore from walking up and down the city's hills. It has been a fabulous experience. This is a trip put on by Eagles Wings. Here again, I find myself in a unique situation. Most of the pastors on this trip are of an Assembly of God or Non-Denominational Pentecostal background. There are two of us on this trip who are ARP.

As conservatives, it is easy for us to shy away from knowing or working with Christians from different traditions. However, I think this is a mistake. There can be some positive gains from such interactions. First, we are forced to think about what we believe and the biblical case that backs up our positions. Second, these interactions can help us to see places we undervalue or ignore. Third, it can help us understand how to teach the Bible better so that people do not go off in confusion. Finally, these interactions allow us to have visible unity in the gospel that the world can see, as Jesus prayed for in John 17.

I will never forget several things about all these interactions. I remember the faithfulness of the black Christians in Winnsboro. I will never forget the faith of pastors in Rwanda studying even though their churches were closed and there was no immediate hope of reopening. Yet they came walking miles to learn about Jesus. In Pakistan, I will remember the church in the middle of a dark spiritual place, where God blessed a vision 100 years ago. On this trip, I will remember the genuine conversations with these brothers who love the Lord and believe in the power of God and the promises of His Word. 

I know what I believe, and I think it is best expressed in the Westminster Standards. But I also remember that the bar for being a Christian is faith in Jesus. While we must be careful in interactions with different groups and there are times when we cannot go where they go, we can have proper just fellowship that encourages and challenges each other. 

We should not be like the old joke about heaven. An Angel was showing a new arrival around heaven, and they came to a room, and the angel said, “Be very quiet, this is where the Presbyterians are, and they think they are the only ones up here!”  Heaven will be filled with all those who have saving faith in Jesus. Many preach the blood of Jesus and the necessity of faith in the risen Christ. Those who do are brothers and sisters.

In a world that is becoming increasingly hostile to the Lord’s people, we need to lock arms in appropriate ways, support one another, and pray for one another. I, for one, am glad for the opportunities to be exposed to Christians from around the world and from different traditions in America. I am so happy for how they stretch me and encourage me in my walk with the Lord. I hope also to encourage and challenge these brothers to consider our doctrinal positions.