(PNS) More than 600 persons attended “A Racial Ethnic Multicultural Event” in Los Angeles, July 12-14, sponsored by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and the Reformed Church in America (RCA). They represented a multitude of cultures, races, languages, traditions, and ages.
With the theme “Spirit of Wholeness in Christ” as their backdrop, participants worshiped, danced, sang, studied, and discussed what it means to be a multicultural church — not only on paper but also in reality.
Delivering first-night sermons were the Rev. Bruce Menning, the RCA’s director of global mission; Mark Hanson, presiding bishop of the ELCA; and the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, stated clerk of the General Assembly of the PC(USA).
Alluding to the Pentecost event in Acts 2, Hanson expressed hoped that the gathering would be a “three-day binge, not on the fruit of the vine, but on the Holy Spirit.” Kirkpatrick added that the church today “desperately needs your particular gifts” if the church is to be “passionately on fire for the gospel.”
More on this event: Bringing the multicultural church to life
