Those of us who have grown up in church have been taught about “foreign missions” and “going” and “praying for our missionaries…over there.” Well times have changed, and instead of always going, we have the opportunity right here to “do foreign missions.” You don’t need a passport to reach people in Montgomery; you just need a servant’s heart and a willing spirit! It is no accident that God has brought people from over 50 countries to the Greater Montgomery area. He wants us to be that helper He talks about in scripture.
“When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong." Leviticus 19:33
We are very blessed to have an “unreached people group” here in Montgomery. They are the
Mixteco Indians from Mexico who speak a different language other than Spanish; it is an oral language called Mixteco. They have different cultural ways, but like us, they love their families and are hard workers. They are here because someone told them there was a better life. My ancestor, Walsingham Chilson, came here about 1650 to escape religious oppression. He brought his family here to begin a new life. It was rough. He had to labor and do everything he could to provide for his family. He also wanted a more excellent life than what they had in England. The same is true today. Montgomery has become the host to this people group, the Mixteco’s. So, not only as citizens of this great country, but more importantly, citizens of the Kingdom of God, we are to reach out and minister to this group as well as others who have come here for a “better life”. Why don’t we show them the TRUE better life, which is life in Christ? Will you be a part of that? Scripture says:
“Treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you and you shall love him as yourself.” Leviticus 19:34
Anna stepped out of her comfort zone of dependence on a husband who was abusing and isolating her and turned him in. She now has to restart her life. A church in the area is reaching out to her through worship, loving on her and her kids and teaching her English. She needs English to be able to survive and is learning to navigate this city. A simple act of teaching someone how to speak the local language can have a huge effect on their future.
There are churches here that are already reaching out to this people group, but we would like YOU to join us! We have a Mixteco Task Force among our churches and ministries. Ridgecrest, Eastern Hills, Yarbrough Street, Community of Hope and Forest Park Ministry are all represented on this task force and reaching this people group, but we need more who will take an interest. YOUR church can participate in many ways to reach this people group. We will be exploring ways to connect with their families in their homeland and develop an Acts 1:8 strategy for reaching this people group.
Contact Lisa Rose for more information on what you or your church would want to do to "join God in what He is doing" in Montgomery.
Lisa Rose lrose@mgmbaptist.org or 334-271-6794
