Diversity in Jesus

CHURCH NEWS

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

(Revelation 7:9, NIV)

The world lives in Red Deer. For those of you in the Central Alberta area, you could have come to church each night and would have heard a new international speaker from a different walk of life with a unique story to tell. You would have heard topics from the heart, including “Sin and Salvation,” “Salvation and Abundant Living,” and “My Family and My Extended Family,” to name a few. After a year and a half of a pandemic that has changed the world, it is uplifting and transformational to hear these messages of hope.

Rudy Alvir

Romy Daquila

From June 26–July 3, the Red Deer Seventh-day Adventist Church had an evangelistic series with the theme of “Jesus, the Centre of My Life.” Members were encouraged to invite friends and family to attend either in person or online. Although an evangelistic series will sometimes use the services of a professional evangelist, this time of pandemic promoted great creativity, and the church relied on its local preachers. The preachers included Pastor Moises Ruiz, Sudhan Muthiah, Pastor Ian Hartley, Rupa Manukonda, Gesklin Etienne, Pastor Romy Daquila, Jane Holmes, and Pastor Rudy Alvir.

Gesklin Etienne

Ian Hartley

Jane Holmes

As the series carried on, we were astounded at the diversity amongst the preachers. We had speakers from Haiti, Nicaragua, South Africa, India, the Philippines, and Canada. It would take a considerable amount of money to fly in all those speakers from their native countries! We had men and women with varied careers, including homemakers, teachers, pastors, and businesspeople. What does all this diversity mean for the gospel and the church? It means we come together through the person of Jesus, finding unity in our shared vision, demonstrating how the gospel is accessible to all, and providing a glimpse into the diverse family of God in heaven. Revelation 7:9 describes a scene where God's family comprises every nation and tribe, all worshipping the Saviour. When we lean on our diversity and rely on the gifts God has given His church, we can become that city on a hill right here in Central Alberta.

Submitted by Moises Ruiz | Pastor, Epic Church Red Deer and Asst. Pastor, Red Deer Adventist Church

Rupa Manukonda

Sudhan Muthiah

Moises Ruiz