Yearly Archives: 2025

eBrethren

Is this for real?

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Photos by Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria, Kathy Howell, and Church of the Brethren staff

By Matt DeBall, coordinator of Mission Advancement communications

“When the [disciples of John] came to Jesus, they said, ‘John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’ ’ //  At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, ‘Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.’” ~Luke 7:20-22, NIV

During the most trying times of our lives—perhaps even in recent days—how many of us have asked, “Is this for real?” When circumstances in our country or the world occur that we could not have imagined or when events in our personal lives happen that we did not expect, we can feel caught off-guard, confused, or concerned.

As John the Baptist saw hurting people in his community and harmful actions of the empire, it seems he questioned in whom it was safe to place hope. Despite his doubts, John took a step of faith. He raised a question with his disciples (for which he also sent them to gather an answer): “Jesus, are you the real deal?”

John’s doubts can give us great comfort. The gospel of Luke tracks the narrative for us. This is the same John who jumped the first time he was in a room with Jesus—while they were both in the womb—startling his mother and creating a memory about which John certainly heard often as he grew up (Luke 1:39-45). This is also the same John who baptized Jesus and saw the christening of the Holy Spirit like a dove and the voice of God echoing the same blessing (Luke 3:21-22). Even after John had both of these first-hand encounters with Jesus, he still had doubts! If he could, surely there’s room for you, for me, for anyone to have doubts and questions in trying times.

As John’s disciples approached Jesus and asked their question, Jesus didn’t immediately share an answer. Jesus continued in his ministry of healing and encouragement, and then shared these words:

“Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”

Throughout our lives, there are times when we search for welcoming spaces and find disappointment or rejection instead. Even people who say that they value hospitality, peace, and love may not realize that their actions convey an entirely different message.

In contrast, what a breath of fresh air it is when people confess the peace of Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, and they reveal by how they live that they mean it. What a blessing it is to find life-giving environments where people see the words of Jesus as challenges to wrestle with in community, not controversial words to shy away from.

Among the mission and ministry of the Church of the Brethren (in congregations and through denominational work, in the US and around the world), the markers of Christ-like service, holistic peace, and the abundant love of God are seen and heard among us. We walk alongside survivors of disaster and turmoil of many kinds. We provide spaces where people can find healing and comfort. We identify and create opportunities with people of all walks of life to grow in relationship with one another and to follow the ways of Jesus together. As we do these things and many more, we help others hold on to hope.

I invite you to reflect on these questions: How do we see ourselves continuing the work of Jesus? When people encounter us, how will they know with certainty that we’re walking and talking and living like Jesus? (Please feel welcome to share your reflections with us at MA@brethren.org.)

As we go about our work, our play, and our rest, let us remember that there are people around us who are hurting, concerned, or scared in ways we can’t always see or imagine. As they encounter us, they may be asking:  Is this person for real? Is this church the real deal? Is the healing work of Jesus present here? May our actions and words provide clear answers to these questions, especially through trying times.

Learn more about the faith-building and life-changing work of the Church of the Brethren at www.brethren.org/greatthings. Support our mission and ministry today at www.brethren.org/give.

(Read this issue of eBrethren.)

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What if?

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By Founa Badet, director of Intercultural Ministries

The question is “What if?” It has different layers, a different capacity of expressing itself in certain situations. What if I had been born in America? What if I were not an immigrant? What if I were living the dream? The fact of the matter is, I’m not. I’m a Haitian American born and raised in Haiti. I had to learn and relearn how to live in a different country, how to adapt to a different culture.

In some shape or form, we are all immigrants. There is a smile on my face as I write this, because almost everyone is now doing an ancestry DNA test to find out where they came from or the make-up of their ethnicity.

An immigrant is someone who comes to live permanently in a foreign country, according to the dictionary, so, even if it’s not you personally, someone in your family or your great-grands migrated from somewhere else. Often safety is the main reason for anyone to leave their homes, from either political violence, fear, hunger, or all the above.

Jesus was an immigrant, going from Bethlehem to Egypt. He was born many miles away from home, traveling from one place to the next, traveling for safety reasons. I believe if we look at immigration through the lens of the Holy Spirit, we will learn to treat strangers with hospitality, because that is what Jesus taught the disciples to do: “I was a stranger, and you invited me in” (Matthew 25:35).

Yes, we do our best as Brethren to extend hospitality. We do our best to be Jesus in the neighborhood to the level of what we are able and capable to do. However, what we can do even better is recognize the reality of immigrants, because we are all strangers until we become family.

So, let’s go back to me, growing up in Haiti. Becoming a teenager, a young adult, and an adult in the United States has been a process for my life. There were some ups and downs. There were learning curves that could have been tragic but for God. The Lord saved me from many things, many dumb things. Without guidance, one can truly be lost. The sad part is that, through my trials, I did not see the church. The church did not welcome me. The church did not understand me. The church saw me as a runaway, and some opportunities were missed in the midst.

What if we changed that as the church of today? What if we allow space for others to truly feel welcome and worthy? I realize we will never be on the same page at the same time. But we can extend ourselves to be available, interested, patient, and willing. We can ask ourselves the hard questions: Who we are called to be? How can we be the vessel to allow others to be connected? How do we view others through Christ—not the barriers before our eyes, but the light? How do we invite others to “come as you are” but ready to be transformed in the body of Christ?

Cultural competence is relationship-building. It is not an overnight scheme or microwaveable component. It is an ability, something we develop to better understand and respect the values, beliefs, and customs of people from different cultures. Effective communication and interactions are key areas to reach other cultures and adapt.

What if we genuinely put on Christ, navigating cultures together and doing our best to confidently walk beside each immigrant we come across? What would it look like? What would that feel like? We become more mindful that what makes us different is often what makes us uncomfortable. What works for one culture as a norm may not work for the other, even in the same land. What if we truly see one another?

This coming year, things will look very different for immigrants, me included. Only God knows what’s next. Some may not have a place to go back to even if deported. Some may fear for their loved ones, and some may not even know how to process the change. I encourage you to ask God what your role is. How can you be the church that sees others and is ready to respond?

This reflection was originally featured in the January/February issue of Messenger magazine. Support the faith-building and life-changing ministry of the Church of the Brethren at www.brethren.org/give .

(Read this issue of eBrethren.)

eBrethren

Living with purpose

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www.brethren.org/FaithX

By Nate Will, former Faith Outreach Expedition (FaithX) participant and member of University Baptist and Brethren Church in State College, Pa.

Living with purpose is one of the most important aspects of my life.

The things that are most important to me while living with purpose are helping others and helping the world. The FaithX trips that I have joined in Portland (Ore.) and Knoxville (Tenn.) have been amazing experiences that have made this purpose clearer in my life. These trips provided an opportunity for me to make a meaningful impact on local communities.

My most recent Faith X trip to Knoxville was extremely rewarding. We volunteered at the Knoxville Dream Center where we helped pack over 6,500 bags of school supplies for students. This was incredibly impactful to me, because as a student myself I know how nice it is to have new supplies for the upcoming school year. Knowing that we were able to help so many kids get these supplies was uplifting and was a key example to me of what living with purpose looks like, and what I can do in my life to live purposefully.

On both my FaithX trips in Knoxville and Portland, I participated in programs that directly served the unhoused population. Serving at the soup kitchen in Portland was eye-opening for me because I realized that these folks are not just homeless people, but people who have families, jobs, and hobbies, and are trying to live their lives as best as they can. I spent time talking with another volunteer who had once been a client of the soup kitchen himself. In Knoxville we volunteered one night at Under the Bridge where we served a meal and handed out clothing under a highway overpass. Some volunteers at this event have been serving at Under the Bridge for over 20 years, and it was interesting to see them interacting with the guests, calling them by name and just talking to them as friends. One of the other youth in my church group sat at the Prayer Table and talked and listened to folks, because sometimes that’s all that is needed—just someone to talk to.

FaithX trips have also been impactful because I’ve gotten to see other parts of the country and spend time with the youth and advisors from my church. You get to know people well on a cross-country flight or a 10-hour van ride! Having purpose allows me to live a fulfilling life that I am proud of, and I know I can have a positive impact on others and the world around me.

This reflection was originally featured in the winter issue of The Volunteer, a publication by Brethren Volunteer Service. Find the 2025 FaithX schedule and register to serve at www.brethren.org/FaithX .

(Read this issue of eBrethren.)