Abraham and Ellis

“For he [Abraham] was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God”

~Hebrews 11:10 NIV

My street once boasted all Dutch families in every house. They attended the largest church in the Christian Reformed Church in the early part of the 20th century. They attended the same Christian school. Every business had last names with way too many vowels.   

Fast forward to today. My next door neighbors are from Rwanda. Other neighbors hail from Nicaragua and El Salvador. I enjoy Puerto Rican cuisine from a restaurant near my house. I get a fabulous haircut from a Dominican barber. And I get new tires from a business owner who happens to be Mexican. All within a stone's throw from my home. 

My neighborhood today is the Ellis Island of Grand Rapids. 

In Hebrews 11:10, we read that Abraham was looking forward to the city that God was building. Well, there are previews of the heavenly city that are closer than you and I think. I invite you, in the inaugural edition of our newsletter from the Office of Diversity and in future editions, to read and get excited from the stories I will share with you about how nations are in yours and my backyards.

You can view the first issue here and we encourage you to share it with family and friends. Together we can become learners about the variety of cultures God has created and more involved in the diverse communities and diaspora in this world.

In addition, I pray these stories light a fire to donate financially to help these stories spread further and deeper into the lives of people like you who believe the gospel of Jesus Christ is just that good.

Please sign up for this new Diversity newsletter. Thank you for your support.