by Dr. Tony L. Lynn
PLYMOUTH, MI – From Revelation 7:9-10, John describes a scene and a sound unlike I have ever seen,
“After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!”
I love the look of that heavenly mob but more than what my sight can imagine, I conceive of a thunderous praise echoing all around me. The kind of sound that you feel in your chest, brings tears to the eyes, and goose bumps on the skin. I can hear it. I can feel it. And I want to join the blast of voices by shouting praises to the Lord with my fist pumping into the air, while tears roll off my cheeks like an infant.
Peoples with an “S”
Lately, my daily life has once again reminded me that our God is a God of the peoples of the world. Those who speak different languages, who come from other places, who have customs that are unlike my customs – are just as loved as any in my family, in my church, and in my neighborhood.
Don’t get me wrong, I think I am always aware of God’s constant love for all peoples, but sometimes I push back the sorrow that fills my heart because the peoples of the world in Michigan do not have an easy way to learn about Christ. They are busy trying to maneuver their daily lives: school, raising children, work, purchases, legal processes, all the while living as strangers in a new country.
There are also those who have lived among us for many years, but speak their native language at home and among their loved ones because it’s the language with which they connect with people in whom they have trust.
Because we want to see churches helping churches take their next step to accelerate the Gospel movement, I am celebrating a recent event and two upcoming events during May.
Spanish Movement Underway
Feel free to scan the images slowly before reading more. The people in the images can speak two languages. On a cool Saturday during April, a Hispanic/Latino congregation in Detroit hosted over 60 adults, led by a NAMB missionary from Delaware who talked about evangelism.
I watched as the dozens of people sat with rapt attention listening to every word, their words, their childhood-tongue coming from the speaker’s mouth. They asked questions freely, shared thoughts, interacted, and made new friends. The entire day carried-out in Spanish with English translation reminded me of my early days when I lived life in Africa working in three languages simultaneously: English, French, and Zarma.
Back then during the 90s and the early 2000s, I could switch from one language to the other two languages without missing a syllable. Today, my ear for language is not as sharp, yet the melody of people speaking about the things of God and praising God in song will always make me cry. I am reminded of how great a God we follow and how much all of us have in common with our hunger to know God more. I am thrilled that a church-planter-in-training and his family will be moving from Houston, TX to join us in Michigan.
Residency and Leader Multiplication Workshops, May 5 & 6
A Residency and Leader Multiplication Workshop will be held in two places on May 5 & May 6. The entire event will be conducted in English, but the workshop will present two powerful solutions for building up more people of godly influence within the church. Who wouldn’t like to have more volunteers and leaders in the church?
Two experienced and talented men will explain the pathway that will bring healthy leaders forward to serve in your church. Scan the image. Maybe you and another from your church can come on Thursday or Friday. Your effort could radically change the future of your church. Click on the link and register of your choice so we can prepare a meal and materials for you. Please feel free to share this information and links with others on social media, through emails, and as a text message:
Detroit – May 5, 2022 - https://www.cvent.com/d/wkq0pt
Grand Rapids – May 6, 2022 - https://www.cvent.com/d/qkq016
Multilingual Conversation, May 21
We will have special music performances in three languages while being captioned in English, along with three life-changing testimonies in three languages, translated into English. During the day, three hosts from the North American Mission Board (NAMB) will meet in smaller groups because they want to hear your ideas and needs for ministry. At this event, another free meal will allow time to make friends over light conversations. Scan the image and follow the link to register for the event.
Conversations & Celebrations
"We want to hear your ideas and your needs for your ministries!" -Dr. Osorio
8:30am - 8:55am Free breakfast & beverages
9:00am - 10:10am Worship & testimonies in multiple languages
10:15am - 11:45am 3 breakout groups: Dr. Osorio, Dr. Sin, and Pastor Masih
11:50am - 12:30pm Free lunch and beverages
12:35pm - 1:30pm Worship & prayers of support for one another WHERE? Bethlehem Baptist Church 960 East Huron River Dr. Belleville, MI 48111
The Lord is on the move among the peoples of Michigan who speak different languages. We request your prayers, participation, and provisions. If you would like to get involved in helping language churches contact us for guidance.
REGISTER NOW
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Tony L. Lynn is the State Director of Missions for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. Before coming on staff at the BSCM, Tony served as lead pastor for more than six years at Crosspoint Church in Monroe, Michigan. He and his wife, Jamie, also served with the International Mission Board in Africa and in Europe.