Cross Cultural Reports 2023

Monday, 23rd October 2023
Image: cross-cultural-reports-2023

Cross Cultural Reports 

Each year our second year students spend part of their summer on a cross cultural placement. Read on to find out how Andrew, Bruno and Valerie spent theirs.

Andrew

I spent my cross-cultural placement volunteering at the Grace and Peace Community Church Summer Camp in South Philadelphia. Philadelphia is a dark and dangerous city, but no amount of social reform has brought light to its streets. Philadelphia needs gospel light! Summer Camp is a wonderful opportunity to sow gospel seed in a small corner of South Philly amongst young children. During camp, we studied the lives of Joseph, Elijah, David, and others who trusted God during suffering but ultimately Jesus who suffered unjustly whilst entrusting himself to a faithful God. It was a humbling experience to point boys and girls to Jesus.

Camp is a challenging ministry because Philadelphia is hot, and kids misbehave. I felt that I was running on fumes. However, these challenges reminded me that dependence on God is crucial in gospel ministry. Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). God gave us the strength we needed to start each day and though kids misbehaved, God was at work in those moments. Often, fruitful conversations occur through one-to-one conversations with a child about their behaviour and how the gospel can transform their hearts.

Camp is a rewarding ministry. Bessie was a quiet 4-year-old who had never seen a Bible before camp. One of the volunteers spent lots of time with her; playing with her and caring for her. Gradually Bessie came out of her shell, began to trust her leader and asked questions about Jesus. It was a reminder that relationships are crucial in gospel ministry. It was a privilege to serve with Grace and Peace Community Church. Pray that God will continue to strengthen and sustain them in their gospel efforts and his glory in Philadelphia. 

 

Bruno

Thirty years later, there I was, making the same descent of stairs in the local Roman Catholic church where I had grown up in. Since I had no contact with God and did not believe in him when I left Portugal as a young adult, the sole thing that had crossed my mind at that moment was God’s greatness and mercy towards me. Agnostic at heart, I was completely oblivious to what was to come and who I would be: a born-again Christian, in my last year in Irish Baptist College with pastoral aspirations. I was caught up in a traditional family baptism in Lisbon, but my heart was set to go to the south of Portugal, where my cross-cultural experience would be. Pastor Mark and his wonderful wife Judith welcomed me to the International Evangelical Church of the Algarve. I was joined by Stephen Smith, the pastor of my Portuguese church in Northern Ireland. I engaged in a variety of activities there, including evangelism in the neighbourhood, church visits, and preaching two sermons. It was fascinating to interact with the Portuguese community, who are stoic and have strong defence mechanisms. However, by highlighting the value of a connection with God and dismantling the stronghold of catholic religious traditions, we were successful in conveying the Gospel and speaking to their hearts. I was profoundly moved by this entire experience, and like the apostle Paul in Acts 16:9–10, I can now clearly hear the cries of the Portuguese people, "Come and help me." And I believe, deep in my heart, that this is my mission.

 

Valerie

This summer as part of my cross-cultural placement I went to Shankill Community Fellowship ‘Street Light Week’. This was a Holiday Bible Club organised for the whole family. David had gathered quite a team of helpers from all parts of Northern Ireland.

We had a busy but very encouraging week. Daily activities in the community included door to door work, painting nursery garden sheds and playing football at the ‘Men’s Shed’. We tried to engage with the local community at every opportunity.

The main event was the Holiday Bible Club each evening. There was a programme arranged for each part of the family. I was involved with the parents/carers. We had tea and coffee to welcome them, always trying to have conversations about the good news and sharing our testimony. On the last night we had a barbeque for everyone. At the end of the evening, I had a long conversation with a man who had come every evening. He had lots of questions and I pray he might think over what he heard. There was another couple that I spoke to who had a previous church connection. Will you continue to pray for the people that God would move in their hearts and draw them to Himself?

 

    Blog Archive

Let’s Read: Spurgeon the Pastor: Recovering a Biblical and Theological Vision for Ministry Let's Talk: Surviving Ministry Staff & Students Favourite Books of 2022 Let's Read: Spurgeon the Pastor: The Church Gathered BYE Teams Hugh D. Brown Lectures How I spent my sabbatical Let’s Read Spurgeon the Pastor: The Church Identified 1st Year Reflections from Andrew and Debbie Second Year Placement (Josh and Glenn) Final Year Reflection: Chris Banks Let’s Read Spurgeon the Pastor: The Church Functioning New Library Books (April 2023) Easter Reflection 2023 Irish Baptist Historical Society Lecture Report on the Life of Hugh Orr Let's Read: Spurgeon the Pastor: The Church Multiplying Friends of the College May 2023 Let's Read: Reflections on Spurgeon the Pastor by Geoff Chang Student Reflections on Graduation 2023 Where will our students will be serving this summer? Pray Without Ceasing: A Week of Summer Prayer 2023 Reflections on returning to Peru Recognition Service Report 2023 Commencement Service Report 2023 Cross Cultural Report in Ireland Cross Cultural Reports 2023 2 Short Book Reviews Let's Read: Keeping Your Children's Ministry On Mission: Practical Strategies For Discipling The Next Generation by Jared Kennedy Let's Read: When Children Become Brothers And Sisters What's in a name? Evangelism Teams 2023: Coleraine and Keady Evangelism Teams 2023: Castlederg and Tobermore Let's Read: Welcoming and Safeguarding Book Review: Weakness Our Strength A Strange Man from Another World
Let’s Read: The Path to Being a Pastor: A Guide for the Aspiring Graduate Updates Tribute How to Avoid Becoming a Graceless Theological Thug Let's Read: The Path to Being a Pastor Hugh D. Brown Lectures—Understanding and Applying Zephaniah Book Review: Children of Abraham: A Reformed Baptist View of the Covenants by David Kingdon Graduate Updates: Laetitia Let's Read: The Path to Being a Pastor (chapters 5-12) New Books in the Library Friends of the College—March 2022 Graduate Updates: Andrew Let's Read: The Path To Being A Pastor (chapters 13-23) Deacons The Risen Christ Changes Everything Why Four Gospels? Let's Read: The Path to Being a Pastor (Chapters 24–27) The College Graduation MA Missions Module Reflection Student Reflections (first and second year) Book Review: The Crucible of Leadership Let’s Read: Why Should We Love the Local Church? (Introduction) Let’s Read: Why Should We Love the Local Church? (Introduction) Friends of the College: September 2022 Let’s Read: Why Should We Love the Local Church—You’re Beautiful Commencement Report Cross Cultural Placements 1 Cross Cultural Placements 2 Cross Cultural Placements 3 Let’s Read: Why Should We Love the Local Church—Beauty Demonstrated 1st Year Reflection (Ana Rut) Evangelism Teams 2022 (Armagh and Cavan) Evangelism Team 2022 (Ballycrochan & Comber) Let's Read: Living Beautifully Let's Read: Why Should We Love The Local Church “Always winter and never Christmas” Three Kings
Let’s Read Irish Baptist College Conference (Online) From Intern to Undergraduate (Emily Middleton) Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — The Reason for Redemption Baptists and Revival in the Long 18th Century Second Year Placements From Intern to Undergraduate (Josh Brown) Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — The What and Why of Holiness Final Year During A Pandemic 2nd Year Placement Experience Friends of the College 2021 Update The Art of Reading More Books Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — The Real Possibility of Holiness A Basic Easter Fact The Servant King Podcast Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — You Are Holy Third Year Reflection Gospel Guardians: Protecting the Purity of the Gospel for Future Generations Graduation 2021 Book Review: Succeeding at Seminary Let's Read: The Hole in Our Holiness — A Work in Progress Why the Irish Baptist College is Vital to the Health of the Association A Good News Story: The Ministry Partnership Scheme Why Study the Biblical Languages? Profit in Toil: A Short Message on A Level Results Day Let's Read: Small Preaching Recognition Service Report 2021 Sin Forgiven: Nourishment for Life and Joy for Living Let’s Read: Small Preaching—The Character of the Preacher Commencement Service Report Placement God Rejoices over His People: A Meditation on Zephaniah 3:17 Let’s Read: Small Preaching—Constructing the Sermon Evangelism Teams: Newcastle and Brannockstown Evangelism Teams: Stonepark and North Belfast Christian Fellowship First Year Reflections (Reuben and Andrew) Some New Books Let’s Read: Small Preaching—The Craft of Preaching Let's Read: Small Preaching—What is God Saying? A Christmas Reflection on John 1 - ‘The coming of the light’ Christmas Reflection on John 1 - ‘Life, Light & Glory’
Time to read Genesis...again Friends of the College - January 2020 Friends of the College - January 2020 Finances Tribute to Marion Craig The Resilient Pastor: Surviving & Thriving in Ministry Just a Blow-in? What is new on the shelves at IBC? Friends of the College - February 2020 Four Reasons to Study Theology Academically From Spain to Moira Testimonial Financial Update Friends of the College – March 2020 Irish Baptist Historical Society: The Mayflower Thomas Patient: the Father of the Irish Baptist Church Testimonials The Pastors’ Conference: An Encouraging Privilege Testimonials (part-time studies) In the worst of times: COVID-19 and the Book of Ruth Friends of the College - April 2020 The Long Wait: Victory Delayed Testimonials - Preparation for Ministry and Evening Classes The Leadership Podcast Testimonials - Ladies Study Fellowship The Leadership Podcast (part 2) Friends of the College - May 2020 Reflections from the Student Chairman Why do we teach the Old Testament? Reflections on first year at IBC Friends of the College - June 2020 Why do we teach Romans? IBC Placement Is Church History a Thing of the Past? Friends of the College - July 2020 Friends of the College – August 2020 Friends of the College September 2020 Recognition and Graduation Service Introducing the Irish Baptist College’s New Logo Commencement Service Friends of the College - October 2020 Filled with the Spirit: Soundings in Luke’s Theology of the Holy Spirit The Famous Five: The Abiding Relevance of the Solas of the Reformation Friends of the College - November 2020 The Importance of Theological Training in Fulfilling the Great Commission First Year Reflections — Tim Houston Singing: The Place of Theology in Corporate Worship New Library Books Friends of the College – Unite to Pray – December Christmas Reflections
Agree and Close notice.

By continuing on our website you agree with our Privacy Policy and to the use of cookies by third party plugins. Find out more here