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Rationale Statement
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A multi-cultural church with an African American focus
By Harvey Drake Jr, Senior Pastor
From its inception, Emerald City Outreach Ministries and Emerald City Bible Fellowship had, as its sole purpose, a strong desire to evangelize and address the pressing issues facing African American families. Moved by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and acting under the directive of the Holy Scripture, the leadership of ECOM and ECBF began to seek ways to address the apparent struggle and plight of the African American community in the Rainier Valley.
Our ministry focus began to appeal to non-African American individuals who, then, joined themselves with our mission. In an effort to respond to what God had been and is doing regarding racial righteousness, Biblical reconciliation, and to honor all who were a part of us, we have endeavored not to commit, in reverse, the same atrocities we have been victims of. Thus, we are embracing our non-African American brothers and sisters as full members of our faith community. We have also worked to insure that our non-African American comrades don’t feel like second-class citizens by creating glass ceilings. Thus, we have made room for them to experience full participation in our ministry, including leadership.
Due to the number of non-African Americans (45% Anglo and 10% people of color) who have become a part of our fellowship and have demonstrated a solid commitment, ECBF has, in fact, become a multi-racial congregation. This, I believe, has caused some to question whether ECBF/ECOM can scripturally maintain our emphasis on reaching African Americans and making our desire to address their particular needs a priority.
Let me address this issue by saying that the vision that God placed on my heart in 1986 has not changed. Rather, it has been enlarged to accommodate God’s activity among us. Furthermore, two of my earthly mentors on this issue, John Perkins (African American) and Wayne Gordon (Anglo), and Paul, my Biblical example, support the position I hold. Both, Perkins and Gordon, have been theologically and experientially, where we are and have lived through what we are grappling with multiple times. Thus, their earthly model has both informed me and encouraged me.
Paul, however, gives me the Biblical example and muscle I need to continue the journey we are on which was inspired by the Holy Spirit and the Holy Scriptures. As you know, Paul was a Jewish man who was given the commission to be the Apostle to the Gentiles. After his conversion, Paul was used of God to carry the gospel to many non-Jewish communities. While Paul was committed to propagating the gospel outside of Jerusalem, he never lost his desire to see (Israel) the average Jewish person accept Jesus as Messiah (Lord and Savior). Paul, like myself, lived with a dual passion. Read Romans chapter 10 & 11.
Paul’s calling to preach the gospel to the Gentiles did not negate his heart for his own people, the Jews. It is not indicated in the Biblical text that Paul was ever challenged by God, the Father or God, the Holy Spirit for his dual passion. Much like Paul, I too, have been given a dual passion.
On one hand, God has deposited deep within my heart, a burden for African Americans (my Israel). On the other hand, God has made me keenly aware of His heart to see the people of God reconciled first to Himself and secondly to each other across racial, cultural, and social-economical lines.
This double passion with which I live constantly, in many ways, has been the cause and source of tension. It is a tension, I believe, that must be lived with. It is intertwined with the call of God for my life and consequently the life of ECBF and ECOM. My decision and ability to live with this tension has caused discomfort for a number of people at ECBF, both African American and non-African American alike.
The discomfort is due to a number of things: 1) the lack of Biblical understanding of such a sensitive issue, 2) in my opinion more critical than the first, we are unprepared to accept the inherent implications that stem from the supposed problem God Himself has caused by choosing Israel (over other ethnic groups) as His chosen people, and 3) it is a lot of work and effort to maintain one’s equilibrium. Nurturing a multi-cultural fellowship while not losing our burden to encourage, support, and effect change in the life and circumstances of African American families is not an easy task, but it is necessary.
Some people tend to think this has to be one way or the other. Some Anglos think so, principally, because they have arrived and things ought to change to accommodate them. Conversely, some African Americans think so, principally, because they are uncomfortable thinking it could be offensive to our Anglo brothers. While others may think it has to be one way or the other and that I ought to believe as they do, I have chosen to accept my God-given call. As the visionary leader of ECBF and ECOM, God forbid that I would abandon my God-given, Biblical based conviction. This would negate the call of God on my life and the life of our ministry together by taking an easy road to resolving the tension we are all called to live with. Furthermore, I believe this double passion is healthy for us and will be used by God to speak life into His church and the community at large.
Prayerfully and respectfully submitted for the edification of Emerald City Bible Fellowship.
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