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Ethnic diversity creates opportunities for ministry in Portland's backyard

Imagine suddenly finding yourself in Africa and wan- dering into the nearest church building. The language, clothing and culture would all be foreign to you. You wouldn't be able to communicate with others in the church. Imagine how relieved you would feel to find another person attending the church who spoke English.

Many people come to Multnomah County from other countries and speak different languages, wear different clothes, and practice different cultural norms. Some love God and want to worship him. The rest still need to hear about God's love. The need for churches to minister to people of other cultures is growing.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau more than 70,000 people from other cultuers live in Multnomah County. Hispanics, Asians, and American Indians are some ethnic groups that make their homes in Portland.

Two years ago Sergio Alvarizares, senior pastor of the Church of El Shaddai in Portland, saw the need for outreach to Hispanics and began a church in his home. The church started with four members: Alvarizares, his wife and his two children. "The vision was to plant and grow a church," the Rev. Alvarizares said. "We had no church building. No instruments, no musicians. We just had faith and the calling."

Four months later, the church outgrew Alvarizares' home. The Church of El Shaddai moved to Cascade Park Baptist Church where they rented the multi-purpose room.

Six months later, they outgrew the multi-purpose room and moved to their current location, Calvary Presbyterian Church.

The church has about 180 adults and 90 children. In addition to the Church of El Shaddai, Alvarizares planted six other churches in Oregon and Washington. The Church of El Shaddai is 85 percent Hispanic, and the Rev. Alvarizares conducts the service in Spanish.

Another culture celebrates Christ on 75th and Foster. For 25 years the Portland Chinese Christian and Missionary Alliance Church has ministered in Portland.

According to Pastor David Moy, the church started when a group of people wanted to minister to Chinese people. They saw the need because many Chinese people could not speak English and did not feel comfortable attending an English-speaking church. The church holds two services, one in Cantonese and one in English. Soon the church hopes to start a third service in Mandarin Chinese. Only one non-Chinese person attends the church, and he is married to a Chinese woman who attends there.

According to both the Rev. Alvarizares and Pastor Moy, a culturally influenced church has much in common with other churches in the United States. "I think the content would be the same if you went to your church or to my church. Worship service with heavy emphasis on preaching and music," Pastor Moy said.

The Rev. Alvarizares and Pastor Moy agreed that the differences are mostly cultural.

The Rev. Alvarizares observed that his church's worship style differs from other churches. "Our worship team consists of 25 people, and we worship from an hour to an hour and a half," the Rev. Alvarizares said. "Our culture is sometimes music-driven." The service lasts three to four hours.

According to Pastor Moy, his church sometimes has to adapt curriculums and other material to better fit the needs of the Chinese people. "For example, we have VBS coming up next week, and the approach of the material sometimes is not written for a Chinese audience. So it's adapted so the material will appeal to the[Chinese] audience," Moy said.

Both churches consist of one main ethnic group, but Alvarizares and Moy both expressed an interest in people of other cultures attending and helping their church. "We are always looking for people who can help," Moy said.

The Chinese church has a language school open to non-church members. One class teaches English to those who only know Chinese, and another class teaches Chinese to those who speak Chinese in the home. The church takes part in neighborhood clean ups, VBS, and other outreach programs.

The Church of El Shaddai also needs outside help. "We're open to anything that promotes the unity and the love of Jesus Christ. I believe that (unity and love) can be a weapon, a tool we can use," Alvarizares said.

The church's youth group participates in a ministry to homeless people; the church also has a prison and hospital ministry.

Both churches are working hard at becoming a part of the community around them. "Our goal is to minister to everyone. We want to reach out to everyone in the Northwest region," Alvarizares said. Alvarizares realizes that his church will have to make adjustments to be able to reach all cultures of people.

The Church of El Shaddai works with another church in Oregon City that only speaks English. The two churches join forces for Bible studies and other church events.

According to Alvarizares, his church uses interpreters when people from other cultures attend their church functions. "I think that our nation, eventually, is becoming a multicultural nation," Alvarizares said.