Reflecting on my twelve years of serving on the Global Ministries Board of Directors (GMBD), I am grateful for the valuable experiences, lessons, opportunities, and relationships I have built during this time. From visiting the African continent twice, Malawi (2013) and Mozambique (2023), to being exposed to the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) and the concept of Cultural Humility in 2014 and representing Global Ministries at the University Senate and at the National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry, my journey has been transformative.
Malawi and Mozambique were “Revelation 7 moments” for me. “...a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb…” worshipping God 24/7. The opportunity to worship, preach, and pray on another continent with people from different nations, tribes, and languages has transformed my view of God, others, and myself.
It was beautiful to hear various accents without worrying that someone must be upset or offended by not speaking the dominant language. That was my experience in Malawi and Mozambique, which is my experience every time we have board meetings. Speaking with an accent is normal. Even more, speaking with an accent reminds me of the powerful eschatological image in Revelation 7, where you do not need to pretend, where there is no dominant language, no dominant people, nation, or tribe. Instead, everyone is different and has an accent, which is good and beautiful, and it reflects an aspect of God’s image within every human being, and I am convinced that is what God longs for all people to realize.
My time at the University Senate helped me better understand the impact of Methodist Schools around the nation and the world. I witnessed how Methodist Schools exist in areas with high poverty, offering access to marginalized communities and quality education that is innovative and relevant to the rapid changes in the world. Similarly, I learned about the hard work many people before me invested in making the National Plan for H/L ministry and other ethnic ministries a reality. I learned about the constant struggle Ethnic leaders experience and how crucial these plans are to remind our denomination that we are not add-on programs. We should be at the center for glimpses and tasting the Revelation 7 image here on Earth.
My exposure to the IDI and the concept of Cultural Humility has changed my life and ministry. These tools have allowed me to practice, experiment, and live out each principle, and I am a cultural humility practitioner to this day.
My experience as a director has helped me grow as a servant leader. I have witnessed the global impact of our beloved United Methodist Church worldwide and learned from different leaders and areas of work in the denomination. Ultimately, I was privileged to experience our connectionalism in ways that give me hope for the future. Our differences are never questioned but celebrated in this more diverse and inclusive future.
